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!
Keith
A positive outlook makes anything possible
I’m lying here tonight and I’m so thankful for our wonderful NHS. Just over seven years ago a surgeon skillfully removed my colitis ravaged bowel and gave me a stoma for life. It’s a quality of life I could only have dreamed of when I was so ill.
Clare
Weighing the pros and cons of revision surgery
I have a very irregular shape to the base of my stoma and I have always had trouble cutting the wafer hole correctly. If I manage it the odd time, I need it to be placed absolutely correctly. How does everyone else manage who have strange shapes? I know that I need further surgery for stoma revision but am quite anxious about the outcome. I have some pros for stoma revision but also a few cons.
Andy
Needing the toilet when you are out and about
At some point after the birth of your stoma, you will want to venture outdoors – it’s totally natural and expected that you will be anxious about being too far away from a toilet. A public convenience can often have small cubicles, making changing, emptying or cleaning up difficult. Here are a couple of options for anyone in the UK that might help you feel more confident when you are out and about.
Latest Articles
Keith Thomas
A positive outlook makes anything possible.
Keith Thomas, an ostomate of seven years, has a great positive attitude to life. Keith shares his take on adapting to life with a stoma in this blog. Warning….his positivity is infectious!
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How does the warm weather affect stoma pouch storage and performance
With temperatures increasing during the summer, it's important to know what effect it might have on your stoma supplies.
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Andy
Needing the toilet when you are out and about
At some point after the birth of your stoma, you will want to venture outdoors – it’s totally natural and expected that you will be anxious about being too far away from a toilet.
Read More
Clare Mee
Weighing the pros and cons of revision surgery
Weighing the pros and cons of revision surgery.
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The immediate steps to take if you have a stoma leak
Having a leak is a big concern among ostomates. We have a few hints and tricks on how to prevent and deal with a leak.
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Caitlin
Coping with a stoma is different for everyone.
I’m learning it’s okay to cry and feel sorry for myself. I am also learning how to cope with these feelings.
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Disposing of your stoma appliances
When you are learning to manage your stoma, one of the first questions you will ask is “How do I dispose of my appliance?”
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