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If you need an ostomy after the unhealthy bowel is taken out, one end of bowel will be brought up to the surface of your skin (called a stoma) and stitched into place. Your bowel movement will pass into the pouch or small bag that covers the stoma. The stoma or bowel opening may be on either side of the belly.
If you'll have an ostomy, you’ll also see an ET (enterostomal therapy) nurse sometime before your surgery to learn about the ostomy and how to care for it.
The nurses on the unit also help you learn to take care of your new ostomy. You will learn to empty and change your ostomy before you go home.