Stoma Surgery in Sharjah

What is stoma surgery?

Stoma surgery is an operation that brings part of the bowel to the surface of the abdomen, creating an opening called a stoma through which waste leaves the body into a bag worn on the skin. It is done when the bowel below needs to be rested, bypassed or removed. A colostomy uses the large bowel and an ileostomy uses the small bowel, and the choice depends on which part of the bowel is affected. At Dar Al Kamal Hospital in Sharjah, the type of stoma is planned around your diagnosis and the reason for the surgery.

Who needs it

A stoma is formed when waste can no longer pass safely through the lower bowel, or when a section of bowel must be removed or given time to heal. Common reasons include bowel cancer, inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, a blockage, or an emergency bowel problem where surgery cannot be delayed. A stoma may be temporary, protecting a join in the bowel while it heals, or permanent, where the affected bowel cannot be restored. Your surgeon at Dar Al Kamal Hospital in Sharjah will explain which applies to you and why.

What happens

When surgery is planned rather than an emergency, careful preparation comes first. The best position for the stoma is marked on your abdomen while you sit, stand and bend, so the opening sits where you can see and reach it and away from creases, scars and your waistline. The operation itself is done under general anaesthetic, through keyhole or open surgery, and the diseased or resting section of bowel is dealt with before the stoma is brought out and stitched to the skin. Afterwards you are supported to learn to care for your stoma, including how to empty and change the bag and how to look after the surrounding skin, so that you can manage it with growing confidence before you go home.

Preparing for it

Your team will tell you which medicines to stop or continue, blood thinners in particular, and whether the bowel needs to be cleared beforehand. You will be told when to stop eating and drinking before the anaesthetic. This is the time to ask whether your stoma is expected to be temporary or permanent, what a reversal might involve later, and what daily life with a stoma is like. Arrange time to recover and someone to help you at home in the early days. Tell your surgeon about your other health conditions, allergies and past operations, so the plan fits you.

Afterwards

In the first days the stoma is swollen and settles over the following weeks, and output can be watery before it thickens. You are supported to build up your stoma care, and written guidance and follow-up help you continue at home. Eat and drink as advised, reintroduce activity gradually, and avoid heavy lifting while you heal. Your surgeon will give you a timeline for your case rather than a fixed date. Seek urgent care if your stoma stops working and you have pain, bloating or vomiting, if it turns dark or dusky rather than pink, if there is heavy bleeding, or if you have a fever or spreading redness around it, as these need prompt attention.

Risks and limitations

Every operation carries risk. Stoma surgery can cause bleeding, infection, and reactions to anaesthetic. The stoma itself can develop problems over time, such as narrowing, a hernia around it, retraction, or sore skin, and these are managed as they arise rather than being a sign that something has gone wrong. Adjusting to a stoma takes time and support, and feelings about the change are a normal part of recovery. Reversal of a temporary stoma depends on how the bowel and the join have healed, and not every one can be reversed. Even so, many people live full, active lives with a stoma, returning to work, travel and exercise. Your surgeon at Dar Al Kamal Hospital in Sharjah will talk through what is realistic for you.

Cost and insurance

Stoma surgery usually needs pre-approval from your insurer, covering the operation, the anaesthetic, the hospital stay and follow-up. Starting the approval early is worth doing, as it is a common cause of delay. Ongoing stoma supplies, such as bags and skin products, and a later reversal operation may be handled separately by your plan, and some items or a private room may not be covered. Coverage varies between policies and can change, so confirm exactly what your plan includes with Dar Al Kamal Hospital in Sharjah on 06 599 7777 before scheduling your surgery.