Facing stoma surgery — or supporting someone who is — means learning a new vocabulary fast. Three of the most common words you'll meet are ileostomy, colostomy, and urostomy. All three are life-saving operations that reroute waste out of the body through a small opening on the abdomen called a stoma. But they differ in what they carry, where on the body they sit, and how daily life feels afterwards.
This guide walks through the medical differences, the practical ones, and the small details nobody quite tells you at the hospital. It's written for patients, carers, and families who want a clear, clinician-minded picture before or after surgery — not a sales page, and not a clinical textbook.
An ileostomy redirects the small intestine to a stoma and carries liquid stool. A colostomy uses the large intestine and carries more formed stool. A urostomy uses a short piece of ileum as a conduit and carries urine. Ileostomies and urostomies are usually permanent. Colostomies are more often reversible.
The three types of ostomy at a glance
| Feature | Ileostomy | Colostomy | Urostomy |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it carries | Liquid stool | Semi-formed stool | Urine |
| Location on body | Right side of abdomen | Left side of abdomen | Right side of abdomen |
| Part of body used | Ileum (small intestine) | Colon (large intestine) | Short piece of ileum (conduit) |
| Output consistency | Liquid to paste, near-constant | Semi-formed, less frequent | Continuous drip of urine |
| Bag emptying | 5–8 times per day | 1–3 times per day | 4–6 times per day, plus night bag |
| Reversibility | Usually permanent | Often reversible, if temporary | Usually permanent |
| Diet and hydration | Extra fluid and salt are critical | Fewer restrictions | Extra fluid to flush the conduit |
| Dehydration risk | High | Low | Moderate, plus UTI risk if underhydrated |
| Skin irritation risk | Higher (digestive enzymes) | Lower | Moderate (acidic urine) |
| Odor and gas | Less odor, more leak risk | More odor, more gas | Mild urine odor, no gas |
| Typical recovery time | 6–8 weeks | 6–8 weeks | 6–8 weeks |
| Most common reasons | Crohn's, ulcerative colitis, FAP, trauma | Bowel cancer, diverticulitis, rectal injury | Bladder cancer, spinal injury, bladder damage |
Free guide
Ileostomy, Colostomy & Urostomy: The Complete Medical Guide
Complete medical guide · April 2026
Free PDF guide
Take the complete guide with you
The full 22-page medical guide — ileostomy, colostomy, urostomy & double ostomy. Plus three bonus PDFs: Nutrition, Quick-Fix Playbook, and New Patient Guide. All 4 guides delivered instantly by email.
What is an ileostomy?
An ileostomy is created when a surgeon brings the end of the ileum — the last section of the small intestine — through an opening in the abdominal wall and forms it into a stoma. Because the digestive tract stops before reaching the colon, waste passes into an external pouch before the body has a chance to reabsorb most of the water from it.
How it's created
During surgery, the surgeon makes an incision in the abdomen, separates a portion of the ileum, and sutures the end through the abdominal wall to form the stoma. The procedure can be performed as open surgery or laparoscopically. Most ileostomies are placed on the right side of the abdomen, below the waistline.
When an ileostomy is needed
An ileostomy is most commonly performed when the entire colon needs to be bypassed or removed. The most frequent reasons are:
- Severe inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis) that hasn't responded to medication
- Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), a genetic condition causing precancerous polyps
- Traumatic injury to the colon
- Complications from previous bowel surgery
- Some cases of bowel cancer when the colon must be removed
What daily life looks like
Because output is liquid and continuous, most people with an ileostomy empty their pouch 5 to 8 times a day and plan carefully around hydration. Salt and electrolytes matter in a way they didn't before — the large intestine normally handles this, and now the body can't. Most people adjust within a few months.
Clinical note. "Stoma" simply means an opening. A "loop ileostomy" is a temporary version where a loop of ileum is brought to the surface; an "end ileostomy" is permanent, created by dividing the ileum and bringing one cut end through the abdominal wall.
What is a colostomy?
A colostomy reroutes part of the colon — the large intestine — to a stoma on the abdomen. Because the small intestine and some of the colon are still working, waste is partially digested and water is still being absorbed before it reaches the stoma. The result is more formed, more manageable output.
How it's created
The surgeon separates a portion of the colon — most often the descending or sigmoid colon — and brings it through the abdominal wall to form the stoma. Like an ileostomy, it can be open or laparoscopic. Colostomies are most often placed on the left side of the abdomen.
When a colostomy is needed
The most common reasons are:
- Bowel cancer, especially rectal cancer
- Diverticulitis that has caused a perforation or severe inflammation
- Bowel obstruction from a tumour
- Severe injury to the rectum or anal area
- Birth defects affecting the colon (in children)
- Faecal incontinence that hasn't responded to other treatment
What daily life looks like
With a colostomy, many people empty their pouch 1 to 3 times a day. Gas and odor can be more noticeable than with an ileostomy. Dietary restrictions are usually fewer, though foods that cause gas — beans, cabbage, carbonated drinks — can be worth moderating. Reversibility is a real conversation: if the colostomy was created to let an injured section of colon heal, it may be reversed in a second operation 3 to 12 months later.
What is a urostomy?
A urostomy — sometimes called an ileal conduit — is the third main type of ostomy. Unlike an ileostomy or colostomy, it doesn't carry stool. It carries urine. It's created when the bladder has to be removed or bypassed, and urine needs another way out of the body.
How it's created
The surgeon isolates a short section of the small intestine — usually 15 to 20 centimeters of ileum — and uses it as a channel. The ureters (the tubes that normally drain urine from the kidneys to the bladder) are stitched into one end of the conduit, and the other end is brought through the abdominal wall to form the stoma. The rest of the small intestine is rejoined so digestion continues as normal. The procedure can be performed as open surgery or laparoscopically.
When a urostomy is needed
The most common reasons are:
- Bladder cancer that requires the bladder to be removed (cystectomy)
- Birth defects affecting the bladder, such as spina bifida or bladder exstrophy
- Severe neurological damage from spinal injury or disease
- Radiation damage to the bladder following previous cancer treatment
- Chronic, treatment-resistant incontinence that is putting the kidneys at risk
What daily life looks like
Urine drains continuously, so a urostomy pouch is always drainable — it has a small tap at the bottom. Most people empty the pouch 4 to 6 times a day and connect it to a larger night drainage bag at bedtime so they can sleep through. Hydration matters more than most people expect: drinking at least 2 to 2.5 liters of water a day helps flush the conduit and lowers the risk of urinary tract infection.
How urostomy bags differ
Urostomy pouches look similar to ileostomy drainable pouches from the outside, but they have two important differences: a tap at the bottom (instead of a clip) and a back-flow prevention valve inside that stops urine sitting against the skin. Most connect to a night drainage bag using a short length of tubing, which lets the pouch empty into a larger container overnight.
Clinical term. Because a urostomy uses a piece of the ileum to carry urine, it is technically called an ileal conduit urinary diversion. The stoma itself looks very similar to an ileostomy stoma — pink, moist, and slightly raised — and sits on the right side of the abdomen.
Placement and appearance
The most visible physical difference is where the stoma sits. An ileostomy is almost always on the right side of the abdomen, because the small intestine ends on that side. A colostomy is almost always on the left, because the descending and sigmoid colon sit on that side. A urostomy is also on the right side, because the conduit is built from a short piece of ileum.
A stoma itself looks like a small, pink or red circle of tissue protruding slightly from the skin — roughly the size of a quarter. It has no nerve endings, so touching it doesn't hurt. It will change shape slightly over the first few weeks as swelling goes down. Ileostomy and urostomy stomas are usually slightly longer and more protruding than colostomy stomas, which helps direct output cleanly into the pouch.
Bonus · included free
The Ostomy Quick Fix Playbook.
Fast solutions for leaks, skin irritation, odor, and bag changes. Keep it on your phone. Free with the complete 4-guide kit.
Delivered by email · Unsubscribe anytime
Output and consistency
This is the single biggest practical difference between the three types of ostomy.
Ileostomy output
Liquid to paste-like, produced continuously throughout the day and night. Because the small intestine absorbs nutrients but leaves most of the water, dehydration is a real risk — especially in the first weeks after surgery. Most ostomy nurses recommend aiming for 2 to 2.5 liters of fluids per day, with added salt.
Colostomy output
Varies depending on where the colostomy is placed on the colon. A sigmoid colostomy — the lowest part of the colon — produces more formed stool, once or twice a day. A transverse colostomy produces softer, more frequent output. Both are generally more manageable than ileostomy output.
Urostomy output
Urine only — never stool. Output is continuous, more watery by definition, and protected from skin contact by the back-flow valve inside the pouch. Urostomates aim for 2 to 2.5 liters of water a day, plus cranberry or vitamin-C acidified fluids, which some nurses recommend to keep the urine acidic and reduce the risk of urinary tract infections.
When to call your stoma nurse. Output that suddenly becomes very watery and continuous (for an ileostomy), dramatically changes color or frequency (for a colostomy), or turns cloudy or foul-smelling (for a urostomy) can be an early sign of blockage, infection, or dehydration. Don't wait it out — call.
Living with an ostomy
Hydration and nutrition
For ileostomies, fluid and salt are the two most important things. A stoma nurse will usually recommend at least 2 litres of water a day, plus isotonic drinks or added salt with meals. Colostomy diets are closer to normal, though bulky or high-fibre foods can cause blockages in both.
Skin care
The skin around the stoma — called peristomal skin — needs careful attention. Ileostomy output is digestively active (it contains enzymes meant to break down food), so leaks cause irritation quickly. Colostomy output is gentler on skin, but the basic rule is the same: the baseplate should fit the stoma exactly, with no gaps.
Clothing, sleep, and intimacy
Most people find that high-waisted clothing, soft waistbands, and supportive ostomy belts or wraps make everyday dressing easier. Side sleepers often do well with an ostomy belt at night, which holds the pouch flat against the body. Intimacy takes a little adjustment — a pouch cover or a smaller mini-bag often helps.
Swimming, sport, and travel
All three types of ostomy pouches are waterproof. Swimming, showering, and saunas are fine. For travel, most ostomates carry twice as many supplies as they think they'll need and keep them in carry-on luggage.
How SIIL Ostomy helps
Garments designed with ostomates, not just for them.
Since day one, SIIL has worked directly with people living with ileostomies, colostomies, and urostomies to make everyday clothing that genuinely respects the body, the pouch, and the life behind both. Every belt, wrap, and brief we make started as a problem an ostomate told us they were tired of solving alone.
01
Confidence under clothing
High-waisted belts and seamless wraps hold the pouch completely flat against the body. No bulk, no outline, no second-guessing what you can wear. Ostomates tell us it is the first time in years they have felt dressed again, not just covered.
02
Comfort that respects the skin
Soft, breathable fabrics that do not press on the stoma or the peristomal skin. Wide waistbands, flat seams, no hard edges. Gentle enough to sleep in, strong enough to hold through a full day at work, the gym, or on a long flight.
03
Freedom to live fully
Swimwear that holds up in saltwater and chlorine. Underwear with a hidden pocket for the pouch so intimacy feels like intimacy, not logistics. Made for running, traveling, dancing, dating — every moment a stoma should not get to take away.
The SIIL catalogue
Garments designed with ostomates,
Garments designed with ostomates,
not just for them.
For movement
Ostomy Belt
Holds the pouch flat for swimming, yoga, sport, and intense training.
Shop belts
For comfort & intimacy
Ostomy Wrap
High-waisted, seamless. From basic everyday to lace lingerie styles.
Shop wraps
For the beach & pool
Ostomy Swimwear
Saltwater & chlorine tested. Hidden pocket. Bikinis, tankinis, one-pieces.
Shop swimwear
For the unexpected
Stoma Protector
Shields from pressure, kicks, scratches, and seatbelt impact. Always on.
Shop protector
Bonus · included free
The New Ostomy Patient Guide.
Everything you need in the first weeks after surgery — what's normal, what's not, and exactly when to call your nurse. Free with the complete 4-guide kit.
Delivered by email · Unsubscribe anytime
Bonus · included free
The Ostomy Nutrition Guide.
What to eat, what to avoid, hydration rules, and meal plans for every ostomy type. Used by over 5,000 ostomates. Free with the complete 4-guide kit.
Delivered by email · Unsubscribe anytime
Ostomy bags by type
Bags — or "pouches" — come in two main designs: one-piece and two-piece. The specific pouch style then depends on what kind of ostomy you have.
One-piece vs two-piece
One-piece systems fuse the adhesive wafer and the pouch into a single unit. They're thinner, more discreet under clothing, and the full system changes together.
Two-piece systems have a separate baseplate (which stays stuck to the skin) and a pouch that clips onto it. You can change the pouch without removing the baseplate — helpful if you want to swap between drainable and closed-end pouches during the day.
Ileostomy bags
Drainable pouches are the standard. Output is liquid, so the bag is emptied into the toilet through a clip or Velcro closure rather than replaced each time. Most ileostomates change the full system every 2 to 4 days.
Colostomy bags
Closed-end pouches are more common because output is more formed. The whole pouch is replaced each time it fills up. Some colostomates use irrigation — a technique that empties the colon on a schedule, a bit like a bowel routine — and can then wear a smaller, discreet mini-pouch between irrigations.
Urostomy bags
Drainable by design, with a tap (not a clip) at the bottom and a back-flow prevention valve inside. They connect to a night drainage bag via a short tube so urine can drain into a larger container while you sleep. The full pouch is usually changed every 2 to 4 days.
Reversibility and long-term outlook
Can an ileostomy be reversed?
Sometimes. If the ileostomy was created as a temporary measure to let the bowel rest after surgery — a "loop ileostomy" — it's often reversed 3 to 6 months later. If the entire colon was removed, reversal isn't possible. Some people go on to have a J-pouch (ileoanal pouch) procedure, which reconnects the small intestine to the anus.
Can a colostomy be reversed?
Yes, in many cases. Temporary colostomies — often created after diverticulitis, trauma, or some bowel cancer surgeries — are typically reversed 3 to 12 months later, once the affected part of the bowel has healed.
Can a urostomy be reversed?
Rarely. A urostomy is almost always permanent, because it's created when the bladder has been removed or is no longer working. A few people are candidates for more advanced procedures — such as a continent urinary reservoir or a neobladder built from a longer section of intestine — but these are usually planned at the time of the original surgery, not years afterwards.
Emotional and mental health
These matter as much as the physical side. Body image, intimacy, and the adjustment to a new daily routine take time — usually 6 to 12 months before most people describe themselves as "used to it". Stoma nurses, ostomy associations (UOAA in the US, Colostomy UK, Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network), and peer support groups make a measurable difference. Nobody should feel they have to adjust alone.
The complete kit · free
Everything you just read — in one PDF.
The full medical guide plus the three bonus PDFs. Four files. One email. Keep them on your phone, share with family, or bring to your next stoma nurse appointment.
No spam · Unsubscribe anytime
Frequently asked questions
Which is easier to manage — ileostomy, colostomy, or urostomy?
For most people, a colostomy is the easiest day to day: output is more formed and needs emptying less often. Ileostomies and urostomies both need more careful hydration. Urostomies add the extra step of connecting a night drainage bag at bedtime. "Easier" also depends on the person — many people adapt fully to all three and live active lives.
What is the difference between a urostomy and an ileostomy?
A urostomy carries urine. An ileostomy carries stool. They can look similar from the outside because both stomas are often placed on the right side of the abdomen and both use the ileum — but an ileostomy diverts digested food, while a urostomy uses a short piece of ileum only as a conduit for urine coming from the kidneys.
Can a colostomy, ileostomy, or urostomy be reversed?
It depends. Temporary colostomies and loop ileostomies are often reversible 3 to 12 months later. If the colon has been fully removed, ileostomy reversal isn't possible. A urostomy is almost always permanent, because it's created when the bladder has had to be removed or bypassed.
Can you eat a normal diet with an ostomy?
Mostly, yes, with adjustments. Ileostomates need to prioritize hydration and salt, and chew food thoroughly to avoid blockages. Colostomates have fewer restrictions but may want to moderate gas-producing foods. Urostomates need extra water and sometimes acidified fluids (like cranberry) to protect the urinary tract. A stoma dietitian is worth asking for in the first few months.
Do ostomy bags smell?
Only when you open them to empty them. Modern pouches are made with odor-proof film and include built-in filters to vent gas without releasing smell. Urostomy pouches have a back-flow valve that also helps contain odor. Well-fitted bags are essentially invisible to anyone else.
Can you exercise with a colostomy, ileostomy, or urostomy?
Yes — almost all forms of exercise are safe, including running, cycling, yoga, and swimming. Contact sports and heavy weightlifting need extra care to avoid parastomal hernias; a stoma nurse can advise on support belts and progression.
Is a urostomy permanent?
Almost always, yes. A urostomy is created because the bladder can't do its job — usually because it has been removed due to cancer, or because of serious nerve or structural damage. Reversal would require a functioning bladder, which isn't usually an option by the time a urostomy is needed.
Which is more common — ileostomy, colostomy, or urostomy?
Colostomies are the most common overall, because bowel cancer is a leading reason for stoma surgery. Ileostomies are next, driven largely by inflammatory bowel disease. Urostomies are the least common but still represent a significant number of people worldwide, usually after bladder cancer.
How soon after surgery can I go back to work?
For most desk jobs, 4 to 6 weeks. For physical work, 6 to 12 weeks. Recovery depends on the type of ostomy, the reason for the surgery, and any other treatment — chemotherapy, radiation — happening at the same time.
Still have questions?
We put the answers in a free kit.
If this guide helped you, the 4-PDF kit will go deeper — the full medical guide, nutrition, quick-fix playbook, and the new patient guide. Keep them all in one place.
Delivered by email · Unsubscribe anytime
For healthcare professionals & the patients who love them
Are you a stoma nurse?
Request the free Nurse Kit.
Patient brochures, product samples, and size charts — delivered free to WOCNs, stoma nurses, and IBD clinics worldwide.
Request brochure →
Have a stoma nurse?
Show them this page.
Your stoma nurse can request free product samples, fitting kits, and printed patient guides for you and their clinic — all free.
See what's included →- NHS, "Ileostomy" — nhs.uk/conditions/ileostomy
- NHS, "Colostomy" — nhs.uk/conditions/colostomy
- NHS, "Urostomy" — nhs.uk/conditions/urostomy
- Mayo Clinic, "Ostomy: Adapting to life after colostomy, ileostomy or urostomy" — mayoclinic.org
- Cleveland Clinic, "Colostomy" — clevelandclinic.org
- Cleveland Clinic, "Urostomy (Urinary Diversion)" — clevelandclinic.org/urostomy
- United Ostomy Associations of America, "New Ostomy Patient Guide" — ostomy.org
- Colostomy UK, "Living with a Stoma" — colostomyuk.org
- Crohn's & Colitis Foundation, "Ostomy Surgery" — crohnscolitisfoundation.org
- Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network, "Urostomy & Urinary Diversion" — bcan.org
Was this guide helpful?
Free · 4 PDFs · delivered by email
Take the complete kit with you.
Everything in this article plus three bonus guides — Ostomy Nutrition, Quick Fix Playbook, and the New Ostomy Patient Guide. One email. All four PDFs. No marketing sequence.
No spam. We only use your email to send the guides.
