Living with a prolapsed stoma can be a unique experience, especially if you have a permanent colostomy following surgery, like in the case of someone who had cancer surgery. A prolapsed stoma can extend quite a bit, sometimes up to 5 inches, and it can bring about various concerns and questions. Here are some insights and advice from others who have shared their experiences:

1. General reassurance and risk perception:
- It's been noted that while stoma prolapse is often described as "not serious," this might not fully capture the everyday challenges faced by those living with it. It's important to acknowledge that the day-to-day experience can be more complex than what is often written.

2. Possible advantages of a longer, more protruding stoma:
- Some people find that a longer stoma can actually help keep the output away from the surrounding skin, offering better control over where it goes. This is likened to how a penis directs urine.
- There are accessories like stoma collars and condom-style sheaths or tubes that can help channel the output away from the skin and the appliance. These might work even better with a more protruding stoma.

3. Normal stoma size fluctuations versus prolapse or hernia:
- It's not uncommon for a stoma to extend a few millimeters and then retract without causing pain, bleeding, or changes in output. This can be a normal behavior known as "periscoping."
- However, if the stoma lengthens significantly, causes discomfort, bleeds, or if there's an increasing bulge in the appliance, these are signs to discuss with a stoma nurse or surgeon, as they could indicate a more serious issue like a prolapse or hernia.