Ostomy Lifestyle is a young, dynamic organisation taking a radical approach to reducing the stigma associated with having a stoma; improving access to accurate information and advice, based on the individual needs of the person.
We have discovered that following discharge from hospital, people often do not receive the support they need, when they need it. The existing stoma care system can be confusing and misleading for many.
Ostomy Lifestyle’s national telephone helpline service is a centralised resource providing practical advice and emotional support to anyone affected by stoma surgery, filling a critical gap in the support available after all types of stoma surgery (most often ileostomy, urostomy and colostomy).
Many of our callers have never previously spoken to anyone with a stoma, and have little understanding of active solutions for basic lifestyle issues. They often have concerns about their health and wellbeing, but have difficulty discussing their situation with friends, family, or employers.
We train people who have had stoma surgery to provide support and promote a positive lifestyle, focussing on how life can improve after surgery, enabling them to get on with life without being excluded from normal daily life.
Too often, having a stoma is believed to limit someone’s quality of life. Our services reduce the isolation and anxieties experienced by people the increasing number of people who have a stoma each year.
Yes having a stoma presents many problems and certain changes to life style I have both a Colostermy and a urostermy both permanent it is now 6 years on and without counciling manage quite well if any one would like to voice there fears etc I would be happy to pass on my experience