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!
Tayla Goding
Adapting to life with a problematic stoma
I have come to realise a new respect for others who have difficult stomas and the troubles that it brings, I am no longer in the mindset that everyone has the same stoma journey and that not all stomas are equal, just like humans, we all are different.
ITS A START
Managing stoma granulomas
One of the most common reasons ostomates request a review appointment is that they have noticed some bleeding around their stoma. One of the most common reasons for this is a little thing called a granuloma, this usually occurs at the junction of where the stoma joins onto the skin. This is thought to be due to where the sutures have been and an irritation at the mucocutaneous junction.
CLARE
De-stressing with a stoma
What I tend to do as soon as I can is get the bag off and jump in the shower ( bag off ), or run a nice bath ( with bag on) then sit up on the bed with a drink and a good program on the TV, and air the stoma and skin for a good hour. This makes me feel much better and helps me to de-stress. I can physically feel my skin improve around the stoma. This can take a small amount of preparation so that I don’t have an accident on the bed.
Latest Articles
Evaluating the skin around your stoma
Managing your peristomal skin, or the skin around your stoma, is probably the most important thing to ensure you have a good stoma care routine.
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Clare Mee
A poem about stoma surgery
I could go out and enjoy
My new life once more
With Tomas the stoma
Let’s see what’s in store…….
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Andy
Advice for obtaining and sampling new stoma products
Samples I have requested over the years are varied – pouches, thickeners, deodorisers, covers, adhesive wipes and sprays, gels and wet wipes …. The list goes on.
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Getting home after stoma surgery
To help you prepare for getting home from hospital after stoma surgery we have created a list of hints and tips to ensure you are well prepared.
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Aneica
Ostomate at university
We can do anything the same as everyone else at university and if not better, having a stoma shouldn’t put a hold on your dreams.
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Caitlin
Dealing with body image when you have an ostomy
To everyone who is struggling with his or her body image now, I want you to know that it’s okay. I still struggle. There are days where I think I’m freaking hot and totally feeling myself. Then there are days where it’s the complete opposite.
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Clare Mee
To tell or not to tell others about your stoma
There have been a few times when my husband has had to say hang on isn’t that a bit too much? Some things can be kept private, and I have come to my senses and left it out.
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