Sometimes a small part of the colon has to be removed completely or temporarily bypassed. This means that faeces cannot pass in the normal way, therefore a stoma needs to be formed to create a new outlet for waste material to be passed. This is done by making an opening onto the abdomen at the front of the body. When the colon (the large bowel) is brought out onto the abdomen the stoma is called a Colostomy.

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There are many different types of colostomies and the type of colostomy will depend on the surgical procedure you are having. A colostomy is generally situated on the left hand side of the abdomen below the waistline.