This topic is about a person who went for a routine check-up with their stoma nurse. During the visit, the nurse attempted to insert a finger into the stoma but was unable to do so, which led to concerns about a possible narrowing of the stoma, known as a stricture. The person is now waiting for advice from a surgeon. Here are some insights and advice shared by others:

1. Nurses suspect the stoma opening might be narrowing, which is called a stricture.
2. The person is scheduled for a procedure to stretch the stoma under general anesthesia. If this doesn't work, a surgical refashioning is planned.
3. After the procedure, the person had the stoma refashioned, spent five days in the hospital, and is now pain-free with a well-functioning stoma.

Advice and insights from others include:

- Digital or catheter examinations are typically used to check for strictures when there is poor or slowing output. Surgeons might also use a small balloon filled with liquid for this purpose.
- Many people have never experienced finger insertion during routine checks, which are usually visual unless a blockage is suspected.
- If your output is normal, it's reasonable to ask the surgeon why a finger insertion is necessary before agreeing to it.
- Some surgeons advise against inserting anything rigid into the stoma. If needed, a very soft, flexible catheter is preferred to avoid complications like perforation or twisting.
- Personal experiences show risks: one person needed a second surgery after a similar probe possibly caused a twist and perforation near the stoma.
- A self-check tip is to use a finger cot over the pinky and insert it very gently to detect early narrowing, but never force it.
- If you are promised a callback and it doesn't happen, contact the surgeon’s office yourself, as messages can be missed and strictures should be addressed promptly.
- Stomas can temporarily retract or change shape, but these changes are usually harmless if the output remains good.
- Another person with a urostomy experienced similar narrowing, had a nuclear scan, and is awaiting a decision on stretching versus complete refashioning.
- General guidance includes keeping the stoma clean, monitoring its color and output, and limiting invasive interventions to trained physicians.
- New patients are encouraged to speak up if they feel uncomfortable, seek second opinions when needed, and ensure only knowledgeable professionals perform internal procedures on the stoma.