When someone undergoes surgery to create a stoma, it's not uncommon for the size of the stoma to change over time. This can be a bit concerning, especially if the stoma seems to be getting larger. One person noticed their stoma opening increased from 38 mm to 44 mm or more over a few months, making their current appliance feel tight. They wondered if this was normal and if they should talk to their surgeon about it. Here's what others have shared about their experiences and some helpful advice:

1. It's quite normal for stomas to enlarge after surgery. Many people have noticed similar changes, so you're not alone in this experience.

2. A simple solution is to re-trim the opening of your wafer or skin barrier to fit the new size of your stoma. This adjustment usually resolves any fit issues with your appliance.

3. While it might seem alarming at first, rest assured that adjusting the size of your appliance is a straightforward fix for most people with an ileostomy.