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!
Saleem Juma
Controlling your emotions after ostomy surgery
Don’t worry; the turmoil doesn’t last forever ?. Just keep fighting to deal with it in a healthy way and eventually… Things will start to feel easier I promise.
NEW WAY FORWARD
What’s normal and when to seek help with your stoma
It is important to know when you are experiencing physical changes with your stoma if they are normal for this stage of your journey, or if you need to seek help. It’s also important that you feel well with your new stoma and you are coping emotionally. This handy guide should help keep you right. Know that you are never alone.
ANDY
Keeping hydrated with an ostomy
Without a large intestine, your body is severely hampered in its job to absorb salt or liquid from body waste. Your smaller intestine will over time take on some part of this, but it will never be as it was. This means that an Ostomist will need to stay hydrated and be aware of the need to drink more. Being hydrated helps digestion and flush waste from our systems.
Latest Articles
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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Effects alcohol can have on your pouch
A lot of people like to go out and have a drink and go out for a meal. Having a stoma shouldn't stop you from doing this.
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Andy
Keeping hydrated with an ostomy
Drinking plenty of water however does not necessarily make you hydrated. Drinking too much plain water could actually make dehydration worse.
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Clare Mee
De-stressing with a stoma
It is always nice to feel clean around the stoma, so bag change day feels good. Give yourself “me” time to relax and give your peristomal skin time to feel the air, there is nothing better for it.
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Understanding stoma problems
Within the world of stoma care there will be lots of words you will come across. So, we would like to give you a definition and understanding of what these words mean.
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Caitlin
Caitlin: Too much sugar can cause me to have a lot of ostomy output
For the month of February, I have decided to cut out some sugar intake. I gave up candy, ice cream, and cookies for this month. I want to see if there is an improvement in my energy and overall clarity.
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Andy
Intimacy with a fellow ostomist
Having a stoma should not detract anyone from having a loving, caring and an intimate level of trust that may have existed prior to the creation of a stoma.
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