A stoma is an opening that a surgeon creates on a person’s abdomen to allow them to pass bodily waste. Stomas can be lifesaving for people with certain conditions. A person has ostomy surgery to ...

Expert opinions vary on what a typical colostomy output should be, but some suggest an average of 500 milliliters (2 cups) per day. Changes in stoma output or consistency could signal a complication.

A person with a stoma may develop a high output stoma, sometimes called a high output ileostomy. It results in an atypically high output of liquids, which can cause dehydration. Fluid replacement and ...

Stoma care, diet changes, and potential complications are just some of the things to expect after colostomy surgery. You’ll learn how to manage these aspects of recovery before you leave the hospital.