Choosing the best placement for an elective colostomy stoma is an important decision that can greatly affect your comfort and quality of life. If you're preparing for this procedure, here are some helpful tips and insights to consider:

- It's a good idea to have an ostomy nurse help mark the site. They will have you stand, sit, bend, and stoop to check your belt line and skin folds, then mark the flattest area for the stoma.

- Make sure the stoma is placed well away from your navel and any abdominal creases. This helps provide a flat surface for the flange and prevents leaks.

- Consider positioning the stoma either above or below your waistline:
1. Above the waistline allows pants to fit under the stoma, and the pouch may stay outside your clothing.
2. Below the waistline means pants will cover the pouch, but be mindful of potential pancaking.

- Check the placement while seated to ensure it is not in a natural skin fold.

- Ask your surgeon to leave the stoma protruding 1–3 inches. A flush or retracted stoma can cause leaks and may require the use of convex wafers.

- Typically, colostomies are placed on the left side and ileostomies on the right, but the location of your disease might change this. If you use a wheelchair, a higher stoma placement might be considered.

- For clothing and pouch orientation:
- Wearing the pouch sideways can help keep it clear of a belt and allow you to tuck in a shirt.
- Try wearing a sample bag in different positions before your surgery to see what feels best.

- Consider support garments and accessories:
- Nu-Hope support belt with prolapse strap.
- Stealth Belt, which is a premium option that hides the pouch.
- OstomySecrets waistband with a hidden pocket.
- StomaSafe Classic Ostomy Support Garment, which Medicare allows three of every 90 days.
- Generic pregnancy belly bands as a cheaper alternative.
- Waist-level belts designed to hold the pouch.

- For barrier and seal products:
- Hollister long colostomy pouch, noted for being long on smaller bodies.
- Sure Seal Rings by Active Lifestyle Products to waterproof and protect the skin.
- A technique tip: press the wax ring onto the barrier first, then roll it through the opening to form a “neck” against the stoma when the skin is moist or irritated.

- Be prepared for the possibility of a peristomal hernia within a year. Early use of a support belt may help prevent this.

- Before your surgery, gather free samples from all manufacturers to find what fits best for you.