

Getting dressed became a nightmare because I would spend the whole time looking at what I wanted to be wearing. Every time I opened my wardrobe my heart would sink looking at all these gorgeous clothes that I had accumulated over the years, some having special meanings, especially the items passed down to me from my mum and I was devastated that I wouldn’t get to wear them again.
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Plus I still wasn’t feeling well enough to be traipsing round shops. Anything more fitted, I felt made the bag obvious – on reflection, it probably didn’t, that was just my fear. Anything big round the waist, I felt like I was wearing a tent. I struggled just to get my head around how I needed to dress let alone actually find anything to wear. Excellent.Īfter my operation I found it very hard to dress. Anyway, basically as far as I could see it, everything in my wardrobe was not going to work with an ostomy. I then wore maternity wear when I was pregnant and for about 6 months after with the first baby, and, to be honest, I don’t think I ever truly got out of it after the second baby – but that’s another story. Just like anyone without a colostomy bag, I think women generally like to keep their toilet habits, whatever they may be, under wraps… or at least under clothes.īefore having my stoma surgery, I used to predominantly wear tops that were very tight around my stomach and low-slung hipster jeans. I am a big fan of the #GetYourBellyOut campaign, but you don’t necessarily want my ostomy out on display all day, everyday. I think one thing that most women can safely say they have in common when finding out they will need an ostomy, is a collective worry over how they are going to dress. Due to advanced colorectal cancer in 2012, Nicola's rectum, lower part of the colon and surrounding muscles were removed and she now has a permanent colostomy. Guest blogger Nicola is a mum, a student and a writer. If there's a particular topic or subject area that you'd like to know more about, contact us and we'll happily take a look into providing you with some further advice. Our Stoma Stories section brings together answers to some of your everyday questions on living with a stoma, achieving more and helping you to live your life the way YOU want to.

Until cures and preventative treatments are found for these conditions, ostomy procedures will continue to be a life-saving solution for many. They can range from cancer, to different types of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, to diverticulitis or complications with the bowel’s function. Having a stoma shouldn’t be viewed as embarrassing, but as something that has often saved its owner’s life. To this end, we see having an ostomy as being akin to wearing glasses or a using a hearing aid - something that both men, women, young and old can have.
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We want to see public attitudes changing and a greater sharing of experiences, showing that ostomates can live their lives to the full without secrecy or shame.

Did you know that there are around 130,000 ostomates in the UK? Given that so many people in the UK have an ostomy, it’s surprising to see that having one is still often surrounded with taboo and stigma.
