What can you do to reduce the size of a stoma without surgery?
jcd3101
Oct 11, 2024 9:40 pm
Beachboy
Oct 11, 2024 11:18 pm
Stomas are on the move all the time. My colostomy gets longer, shorter, thicker than thinner. No rhyme or reason... Peristalsis, food digestion, physical exertion, and weight gain/loss all play a role.
MeetAnOstoMate is a remarkable community of 41,403 members.
“Every morning with my coffee, I read here and feel wrapped in warmth - I hardly post, but it still feels like family.”
“Our oncologist literally wrote down the link; they said more patients need this website.”
“This place pulled me out of the dark. I went from lurking to living again.”
“At 3am, someone’s awake somewhere in the world. I’m never alone here.”
Posted by: Dianne
You are so right. I will never forget this website and the people who have helped me. I had my reversal in January of 2014. I try and come on this website weekly to see if I can help or encourage other individuals get through the day-to-day process of life.
warrior
Oct 11, 2024 11:58 pm
What's the problem you got there, Jack? Too large in diameter? Too long in length? Are you saying it stays one size since you've had it?
I've never heard of this request to surgically change the size. I am very interested in hearing your reasons for wanting to change it and what's the issue with it?
More details would help with better replies.
Advertisement
Hollister
Using ostomy accessories to create a personalized pouching system can help you prevent leaks and protect your skin.
Learn about the physical and emotional benefits of using ostomy accessories.
Learn about the physical and emotional benefits of using ostomy accessories.
Ben38
Oct 12, 2024 9:50 am
Nothing really unless it's prolapsed; then it's surgery if sprinkling sugar on it doesn't work. I wouldn't recommend sprinkling sugar on a healthy stoma to try and reduce the size.
My Ostomy Journey: Keyla | Hollister
TerryLT
Oct 12, 2024 8:53 pm
The simple answer is no. If it's a prolapse, that is a different story, and you should talk to an ostomy nurse or doctor.
Terry
jcd3101
Aug 20, 2025 1:30 am
Hi Warrior ... sorry for the late reply. Some lady on this site had her stoma reduced surgically for some reason. As for me, going to a gluten-free diet has reduced the size of my stoma and the inflammation around it. Thanks for your reply,
warrior
Aug 21, 2025 1:52 pm
Good to hear back from you.
I reviewed the replies above, too.
Just making sure that your aim was reducing the size diameter, as opposed to relocation.
The thing is your intestine. It inflates and deflates, in my opinion.
Always on the move, as the Beach Boys said.
I've been on this site for several years; I've never heard of reducing a sized stoma.
It has a mind of its own, that I know. It grows, shrinks, leaks, and bleeds. All common.
Good luck if that's what you're hoping to do, reduce its size, because I think it's natural for it to enlarge, then shrink.
.