IT'S A START
Bringing comfort and clarity to the what, why and how of an impending Ostomy surgery.
A stoma shouldn't define you, it's
just a small part of a bigger life.
JOURNEY STAGE
NEW WAY FORWARD
The first 90 days. Helping hand, with you through recovery, adjustment and easing back into being and feeling yourself.
TO A BIGGER LIFE
Settling in. Support, ideas, encouragement and experiences all on offer. Lifetime members welcome!
FEATURED ARTICLES
To a bigger life
Introducing: A Bigger Life Community
We have developed a new ostomy community on abiggerlife.com to create the opportunity to connect with other ostomates, clinical advisors and share experiences about living with a stoma.
A Bigger Life
Video: Living a bigger life with an ostomy
We’re here for anyone around the world whose life has been touched by a stoma, offering support, advice and encouragement. Whether you have impending ostomy surgery or you’ve been an ostomate for 50 years!
Andy
Building confidence with your ostomy
My ileostomy was created just over ten years ago on the 18th March 2008, so in this blog I thought I would share with you the acceptance, problems and recovery during that time, and so as such, it is designed for the newer ostomate. There are ten items, one for each year of my new life.
NEW WAY FORWARD
Why your stoma may change in shape and size
Whenever you have a stoma newly formed the first thing you notice is that it will be quite swollen. The shape and size of your stoma can change and will change over the course of the first 6 – 8 weeks after your surgery. The reason for that is whenever the surgeon is forming the stoma he has to handle your bowel. Whenever the surgeon handles the bowel, it causes it to swell.
Lorraine
Accessing mental health support following ostomy surgery
When I had my ileostomy way back in 1988, it gave me my life back. I suffered no psychological effects other than feeling grateful to be well again. Inflammatory bowel disease had blighted my life for so many years, getting rid of that colon was no loss and having a stoma was a small price I was more than happy to pay.
Latest Articles
Coping with sleep deprivation
We all love a good night sleep but sometimes we go through a period when we’re not getting enough shut-eye. It is important to work out the reasons why and find ways to help.
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Lauraine Clarke
What exactly is normal?
Even though we cope with these serious body conditions and the aftermath of sometimes mutilating surgery (because we have NO choice but to cope), I still have a desire to dress up, show up because I will never give up
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Caitlin
Caitlin: My New Year Resolution
Life is different for everyone with an ostomy and it’s all about finding what works for each of us.
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Andy
My Ostomy Travel Kit
Every month, I replace the collars and pouches in the kits with fresh ones – the ones removed are then used at home. I do this because I have noticed that the collars sometimes “stick” to each other, and the pouches get knocked about a bit, so rather than risk a leak, I just swap them over
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All things Christmas
Sarah our Clinical Advisor shares her top tips from ordering supplies to festive foods to help you enjoy the holiday period without worrying about your stoma.
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Clare Mee
Sex & relationships with a stoma
I am lucky that my husband has been amazing and really doesn’t care about my stoma, but I heard about others not so lucky, and we are talking about husbands and wives who have been with their partners a long time, and can’t get over the fact that you have a stoma.
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Andrew
Story behind the name of my stoma
The name of my stoma is Mairead. Yes I know it’s a girl’s name but here is the story behind the name of my stoma!
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