Finding the Right Choice: My Stoma Journey

20 September, 2026

Hi, I’m Georgie, and I live my life with a stoma bag – who I’ve named Stan.

If you had told me a few years ago that I’d be living life with a stoma, I never would have believed you. But now, honestly, it’s the thing that gave me my life back and at the time I didn’t realise just how many choices I would have when it came to my stoma care.

Learning a New Routine

Waking up from stoma surgery I remember feeling so overwhelmed. You wake up with a stoma attached to you and straight away you are learning your new routine and how to care for it.

In those first few days, I relied heavily on my incredible stoma nurses, who guided me through every step.

As I grew in confidence, I realised that living with a stoma isn’t one-size-fits-all. The products that work perfectly for one person might not work for someone else, and that’s completely okay.

Finding the Right Products

I remember starting with one stoma bag that didn’t fit the curves of my stomach properly, so my stoma nurses helped me try a few different options until we found the one that fitted my body best.

That experience taught me just how important it is to find products that suit you as an individual.

For me, I knew I needed something that was not only comfortable but would also support my busy, active lifestyle.

It’s so important to speak up if something isn’t working and to be involved in decisions about your care because you’re the one living with your stoma every day.

I experienced this again when I started using flange extenders and developed a reaction on my skin. I contacted my stoma nurses, and they sent me samples from several different brands for me to try. Together, we found one that my skin was happy with, and it made such a difference.

Those experiences showed me that it’s okay if the first product you try isn’t the right one. There are options available, and you should never feel like you have to put up with something that doesn’t work for you.

Working together with your stoma nurses and sharing what you’re experiencing can help you find the products that best support your body, your lifestyle and your confidence.

Knowing You Have a Choice

One thing I wish I’d known from the beginning is that you also have a choice about who delivers your stoma products.

I assumed the first supplier would be my only option, but there are so many different delivery companies, each offering different services and support.

Having the right supplier can make life that little bit easier and stress free, and it’s reassuring to know you don’t have to stick with a service if it isn’t meeting your needs.

If you’re unhappy with your products, your delivery service or the support you’re receiving, don’t be afraid to ask questions. Talk to your stoma nurse, explore your options and remember that your voice matters. You deserve care that works for you.

Looking Ahead

If I could give one piece of advice to someone who’s new to life with a stoma, or who doesn’t realise they have choices, it would be this: don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself. Ask questions, try different products if you need to and remember that you are allowed to have a say in your care.

The more informed and involved you are, the more confident you’ll become.

A stoma changed my life in ways I never expected, but it also taught me resilience. Today, I’m back doing the things I love – including performing and cheerleading – and my stoma has never stopped me from chasing my dreams.

I hope that by sharing my story more people will realise they have choices, feel empowered to make decisions about their care and know that life with a stoma can still be full of possibility.

How You Can Get Involved

You can now visit the Stomas Unlocked campaign to learn all about each of our campaign initiatives, as well as discovering the many ways you can support us across all three themes.

We hope you will join us as we build towards Stoma Aware Day 2026.

Together, we can Unlock Understanding. Unlock support. Unlock Choice.