Planning a spa day with a full-body massage can be a wonderful way to relax, especially if it's your first time since having colostomy surgery. Understandably, you might be concerned about how lying face-down could affect your pouch or stoma. Here are some helpful tips and insights to make your massage experience as comfortable and enjoyable as possible:

1. Communicate with your massage therapist about your ostomy before the session. Most therapists are familiar with ostomies and can adjust their techniques to accommodate your needs.

2. Empty your pouch right before the massage. This will help keep it flat and reduce the chance of it being compressed during the session.

3. Consider using positioning aids:
- A small pillow or folded towel under your hips or abdomen can help the stoma and pouch hang freely without pressure.
- Some therapists might place padding above and below the pouch, creating a gap for it to rest comfortably.

4. If lying face-down is uncomfortable, you can request to stay on your back. Many therapists are skilled at providing a full massage while you remain in this position.

5. Relax and enjoy your massage. Many people with colostomies and ileostomies have regular massages without any issues, even when managing other concerns like hernias or limited mobility.