Do All Bowel Resections Require a Stoma?

Not all colectomy surgeries require a colostomy. If your surgeon can reconnect both ends of healthy colon tissue, you may experience few or no changes to how your body digests food. Sometimes, the colon can't be put back together right away (or at all). In that case, your surgeon will create a colostomy.

When is a stoma required after bowel surgery?

A temporary stoma is needed only until the newly joined bowel has healed. In this situation, a loop stoma is often used. A loop of the bowel is brought out, and then cut and stitched to the skin. This creates two openings.

Is a colostomy bag always necessary?

If your bowel needs to heal after a health problem or part of your colon needs to be taken out because of a condition or disease, you may need a colostomy bag.