Ostomy Care

What is an ostomy?

Every year, over 130,000 Americans of all ages receive life-saving ostomy surgery.  Bodily waste is rerouted from its usual path and passes through a surgically created opening in the abdominal wall, called a stoma. Ostomy surgery changes how stool or urine leaves your body. The ostomy drains into an apparatus called an ostomy pouch or ostomy appliance.

Creation of an ostomy is usually a life-sustaining measure for health conditions, birth defects, cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, diverticulitis, incontinence, trauma and any other conditions that affect the digestive or urinary system.   Depending on the condition, an ostomy may be temporary or permanent.

The stoma opening, created during surgery, is located on the abdomen and is dark pink in color.  Most patients who have ostomy wear a pouch or appliance over the stoma to collect stool or urine.

According to the United Ostomy Association of American, more than 750,000 Americans live with an ostomy. Each year, more than 130,000 receive this life-saving procedure.

People of all ages have life-saving ostomy surgery for a wide variety of reasons. As you recover and find the right pouching system to fit your body, you should expect to resume an active life in work, play, and with family and friends.

Whether you need or have already had ostomy surgery, Boone Hospital Center’s Ostomy Care Services team can help you prepare for, adjust to or manage life with a temporary or permanent ostomy.

Our certified and specially trained nurses can help you coordinate your care, find the right supplies, and return to your regular activities.

Boone Health’s caring staff and specialized treatment plans help you prepare and care for your ostomy.

Most of our treatments are covered by Medicare, Medicaid, HMOs and other private insurance plans.

Call Boone Health to schedule an appointment at 573.815.2224.