Colostomy Guide

Colostomy surgery is done for many different diseases and problems. Some colostomies are done because of cancer; others are not. For instance, a child may need one because of a birth defect. Depending on the reason or type of problem, a colostomy may be needed for a short time (temporary) or it may be needed for the rest of a person's life (permanent).

For the thousands of people who have serious digestive diseases, a colostomy can be the start of a new and healthier life. If you’ve had a chronic problem or a life-threatening disease like colorectal cancer, you can look forward to feeling better after you recover from colostomy surgery. You can also look forward to returning to most, if not all of the activities you enjoyed in the past.

This guide will help you better understand colostomy – what it is, why it’s needed, how it affects the normal digestive system, and what changes it can bring to a person’s life.