Having a stoma is a major change in your life and it can take time to learn to how to cope with difficult emotions and adapt to a new routine. It may leave you feeling angry, shocked, alienated and difficult to accept your new body image, and it is normal to feel this way1. Talking to people who have either gone through or are going through the same experience can help you overcome negative emotions and feel able to adapt to life with a stoma. You’ll find details of local support groups on our website here. These events are a great way to get specialist advice from Stoma Care Nurses and chat to other people who can give you tips on everything from lifestyle to nutrition.
In 2021, Salts Healthcare conducted an in-depth piece of research with a company called Murmur Research – the results of which outlined 6 distinct patient persona groups. Through a series of different approaches, including online forums, extended focus groups as well as in-home immersions, the researchers were able to see participants in their own homes, which is where we are all at our most natural.
The researchers at Murmur identified 6 quite distinct and different groups of participants, which allowed us to share these with Stoma Care Nurses: so that they may be able to adapt their support appropriately to the individual groups and their needs.
Within the different groups which were identified, there were some who were very positive and coping well with their medical journey and life with a stoma, and others where participants were not coping well or feeling quite worried. In some groups, there was concern for the future and perhaps worry about going out and needing to change their bag.
It is important to say that a person may well move through different persona groups at different stages of their medical journey, and may indeed fall between two groups, demonstrating traits from two personas.
All of the different types of feelings and experiences after stoma surgery are completely normal, and will often change over time – but they do not necessarily define you. If you feel you want it, there is specialist support available: both physical and psychological. You may find it helpful to speak to your Stoma Care Nurse to discuss your concerns as often support and professional advice can help overcome many of the problems you may be experiencing. They will be able to signpost you to other sources of advice if necessary. If you are looking for general advice about our products or services, our Customer Advisory Team are happy to support you.
You might also wish to seek others who are living with a stoma on social media as this can be a positive support to mental well-being.
Having a stoma is a major change in your life and it can take time to adapt to your new lifestyle. You may need support with learning how to cope with difficult emotions, how to get used to your altered body or support with building your confidence. We have various support tools and resources which are aimed to help improve your well-being. Explore these tools and resources below.
If you can’t attend support groups in person, these online resources may help:
If you are feeling down and are experiencing difficult thoughts, you can contact The Samaritans:
Call: 116 123
Email: jo@samaritans.org
Visit: www.samaritans.org
Confidence BE® has a range of features that may help improve self-esteem, body image, comfort, confidence and sleep quality by helping to reduce leaks, odour, ballooning, pancaking, noise and skin irritation.
Choice of three colours: black, white and stone. Available in closed, drainable, urostomy, flat and soft convex.
The filter is designed to ensure that a gas path can always be maintained to help reduce ballooning, and to help neutralise odour.
Urostomy hydrocolloid resists fluid and erosion for longer*.
* In comparison to Salts Confidence® Natural Advance Closed and Drainable stoma bags. 25% less erosion over a 24-hour period. Data on file. Salts Healthcare 2022.
Outlet tucks away and is securely fastened with premium VELCRO® hook and loop fastener material.
Outlet tucks aways and is securely fastened with premium VELCRO® hook and loop fastener material.
Soft outlet and bung are comfortable without compromising ease of use.
Rotating and detachable bung lanyard can be moved away from urine flow when draining.
We offer a wide range of one-piece colostomy bags and two-piece colostomy bags designed to make life easier with innovative features for greater comfort, flexibility and security. We have a range of colostomy supplies for you to sample from.
Our one-piece colostomy product range includes:
Our two-piece colostomy product range includes;
Both our one-piece and two-piece closed stoma bags are available in flat and convex.
