My Life After an Ostomy: What to Expect

Written by Sharon Liao
Medically Reviewed by Melinda Ratini, MS, DO on March 17, 2026

If your doctor suggests an ostomy for your ulcerative colitis (UC), you may have a long list of questions: How will I feel after the surgery? Can I still work, travel, and exercise? Will my life change completely?

“Ostomies can relieve symptoms and greatly improve the quality of life in people with severe ulcerative colitis,” says Raymond K. Cross, MD, medical director of The Center for Inflammatory Bowel and Colorectal Diseases at the University of Maryland, Baltimore. In the procedure, a surgeon creates an opening, called a stoma, in your abdomen. This allows your waste to exit the body and bypass the diseased part of your intestines. It’s collected in a pouch that you wear under your clothes.

Learning how to live with a stoma and pouch is often a big adjustment, says Cross. You may wonder if people can tell if you’re wearing a pouch or if you can keep your normal routine and eat your usual foods. You may feel scared about the changes it’ll cause in your life.

To help you understand what to expect, WebMD asked doctors, experts, and patients about life after an ostomy.

You may feel upset or scared at the idea of an ostomy. After Rolf Benirschke got an ostomy done, he was devastated. “At the time, I was 24, single, and making my living as a professional football player,” he says. “I enjoyed sports of all kinds, like tennis and scuba diving.” After his ostomy, he thought he’d never pursue his passions again. “I almost couldn’t look at my stoma and ostomy bag,” he says. “I felt disfigured.” But after his recovery, Benirschke went on to live a full life: He played seven more seasons in the NFL, traveled, got married, and had kids.

“Looking back, I thought my life was over after my ostomy,” says Benirschke, who went on to create the nonprofit Embracing Ostomy Life. “But it actually gave me a life. I’m able to do everything without the intense pain and constant trips to the bathroom.”

After your surgery, nurses will teach you how to care for and live with your stoma and ostomy. Ask for a nurse who specializes in ostomy care — called a wound, ostomy, and continence nurse (WOCN). You’ll learn how to clean your stoma, fit your ostomy bag, and other important lessons, such as what to eat and drink. 

After you’re home from the hospital, you may want to seek out a specialist for help. “I learned that caring for my ostomy at the hospital, when you’re in bed and near a bathroom, is a whole lot different from the real world, when you’re out running errands,” says Liz McCarthy, an ostomy patient and founder of the Torrance Memorial Hospital Ostomy Support Group. She suggests asking your doctor for a referral or looking for a nurse on the Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurses Society. You can also access free advice online from an ostomy nurse at Convatec’s me+ Support Program.

Research shows that about 30% of ileostomy patients have to go back to the hospital within 30 days, mainly because of dehydration. That’s because the colon absorbs water from the food you eat, says Andrew Dupont, MD, a gastroenterologist and professor of gastroenterology, hepatology, and nutrition at UTHealth Houston’s McGovern Medical School.

After an ostomy surgery, that food bypasses some or all of the colon, so you don’t get as many fluids as you once did. If you notice any signs of dehydration, such as headaches, fatigue, and dark urine, make sure that you’re drinking enough fluids.

At the hospital, you’ll get fitted with an ostomy bag from one manufacturer. But it’s a good idea to try out different brands to see what works best for you. “Call the major manufacturers and ask for a free sample,” says McCarthy. “Everyone’s stoma is different, so there’s no one-size-fits-all bag.”

What’s more, your stoma can change over time, which can affect the fit of your pouch. “For the first few months after surgery, your stoma is still swollen,” she says. “Your stoma can also change in size if you gain or lose weight.” If you’re struggling with leaks, use the manufacturer’s measuring guide to double-check the fit.

Some people prefer an adhesive to stick the ostomy bag to their skin, while others like wearing pouches, belts, and bands. “These days, there’s a lot of different accessories on the market,” says Jearlean Taylor, an ostomy patient in Baltimore. “I like the security of pouches and belts.” 

There are waterproof belts and pouches for swimming and watersports, and protective stoma guards for physical activities. With the right gear, you can do any physical activity with your stoma and pouch, says Benirschke.

After surgery, your doctors will recommend a diet that’s low in fiber to prevent blockages, says Dupont. They may also suggest cutting back on sugar and fat to lower your chances of having cramps and diarrhea. A dietitian can help you come up with a personalized eating plan. Don’t have much of an appetite? Eating smaller meals more often throughout the day can help.

Different foods affect each person’s digestion and stoma differently, says McCarthy. “For me, I can’t eat popcorn, most raw vegetables, and citrus anymore because they cause blockages,” she says. For a large part, learning what you can and can’t eat is a trial-and-error process. “I’ve learned that I can only eat one or two pieces of cooked broccoli,” says McCarthy. “Any more than that is a gamble.”

Living with a stoma and ostomy pouch is a huge change, and it takes time to adjust. You’ll learn patterns in your digestion, says Benirschke. He learned not to change his bag after breakfast because eating led to peristalsis (muscle contractions in the gut) and the movement of food out of the stoma. “Now I do it first thing in the morning, as soon as I hop out of the shower,” he says. He has his supplies prepared and ready. “I just pop on the faceplate, and I’m good to go,” he says.

As you adjust to your ostomy, you may also feel nervous about the scent. After I got home from the hospital, I’d think my bag smelled even when it didn’t, says McCarthy. “I’d ask my husband to tell me the truth.” Over time, McCarthy has learned how to tell if there’s an odor. “There’s hardly ever a smell, and usually only when there’s a leak,” she says. “If you have a good-fitting bag, there’s nothing to worry about.”

One of the most important things you can do is find an online or in-person support group for other people who’ve gotten ostomies. Science backs this up: In one study, people who went to an ostomy support group had a better quality of life, adjusted better, and had less severe ostomy complications than those who didn’t. “I belong to several online support groups,” says Baltimore-based Taylor. “Talking to others makes me realize that there are other people who are going through the same things as me. It helps me feel like I’m not alone.”

Ask your health care providers for support group resources, and you can search for them online. “When I had my ostomy, I didn’t know anyone else going through the same thing,” says McCarthy, who started her own support group at her local hospital. Not only can talking to others provide emotional support, but you can also share tips and advice. “After my ostomy, I had a million questions, from if I could go swimming to how I’d manage on a long flight,” she says. Now she can turn to her support group to hear their personal experiences.

Most patients with an ostomy can do all the activities they enjoyed before their surgery. “Before my ostomy surgery, I felt like a hostage in my own body,” says McCarthy. “I had intense pain and was constantly needing to use the bathroom.” After her surgery, she resumed her active lifestyle and traveled all over the world with her stoma and pouch. “In my support group, I tell people that it’s going to be an adjustment,” she says. “But once you accept it, you’ll figure it out and be okay.”

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