Finding Support After Stoma Surgery
15 September, 2026
When I woke up with a stoma after my surgery in 2020, I felt completely overwhelmed. Overnight, my entire life had changed. I didn’t know anyone with a stoma, I had so many questions and I honestly wondered whether life would ever feel normal again.
One of the first places I turned to was Colostomy UK.
What made the biggest difference wasn’t just the practical information (although that was invaluable) – it was knowing there were people who genuinely understood what I was going through. Whether it was reading real-life stories, accessing reliable information, or simply knowing there was a helpline if I needed it, it made me feel far less alone.
You’re Not Alone
Living with a stoma can be incredibly isolating at times, especially in those early days. Friends and family can be wonderfully supportive, but there’s something uniquely reassuring about speaking to people who truly “get it” because they’ve lived it themselves.
A Journey I Never Expected
As my confidence grew, I found myself wanting to do the same for others. My stoma has taken me on a journey I never expected. I’ve become an ambassador, shared my experiences publicly, spoken to healthcare professionals and connected with thousands of people living with inflammatory bowel disease and stomas through social media. Looking back, I never could have imagined any of that when I was lying in a hospital bed wondering what my future looked like.
Support has been such a huge part of that journey. Having organisations like Colostomy UK reminds people that they don’t have to navigate life with a stoma on their own.
My Advice
If you’re thinking about contacting Colostomy UK for the first time, my advice would simply be: do it.
You don’t have to wait until you’re struggling. Whether you’ve just had surgery, you’re preparing for one, or you’ve been living with a stoma for years, there is always something to gain from connecting with people who understand.
A stoma changes your life, but it doesn’t stop you living it. Sometimes all it takes is speaking to the right person to realise that.
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.
