UOAA Discussion Board

Two years ago I had a colostomy and my stoma was formed. It was initially recessed and measured about 25mm in length. The ostomy nurse at the hospital set me up with a Hollister convex two piece. The cut to fix barrier fits up to 1-1/2". Slowly the stoma began to grow and I learned to measure and cut to fit with every change and have had great success. No leaks, diet adjusted so output is pretty well formed and controllable, and the convexity had allowed room for the growing stoma to have no problem in the emptying into the pouch.
This past year the stoma has grown more quickly to the point I have reached the edges of the 1-1/2" cut to fit and have now gone to the next size Hollister convex barrier which is a 2-1/4". This may be normal, or acceptable, but I'd like some feedback from experienced users on the sudden growth and at what point I should be alarmed. This first 2-1/4" barrier I have applied I cut right at the 1-1/2" mark.
Not only has it grown in opening size but in the amount it is protruding which is proportional. I have thought about ditching the convex barrier in favor of a flat style but it isn't something that seems to work for my protruding stoma as the face of the bag on the flat system smashes tightly atop the stoma and I'm hesitant to go through the whole pancaking, smearing mess that has potential to produce.
So, what do you think? Should I feel concerned about the growth spurt?

Hello keepers,
Two things come to mind when reading your post. As I recovered from surgery and finished chemo (I had colorectal cancer), I began to resume normal activities, which included eating. As I expanded, so did my stoma. A change in your weight might be the culprit. If not, then you may be experiencing the beginning of a hernia, which is very common with ostomies. The very formation of a stoma is the definition of a hernia.... I don't know that it's anything to be concerned about, but you know your body better than anyone. It's certainly worth mentioning to your surgeon. Most surgeon's don't want to fix them until they become painful or cause blockages....if that's what's going on.
Hope that helped some.

David