During a colostomy, surgeons move one end of the colon through an opening in the abdomen. After the surgery, some people will use a colostomy bag to collect body waste. This can be temporary or permanent. The bag attaches to the opening the surgeons have made in the abdomen and is called a stoma.

Can you still poop if you have a colostomy bag?

Since the colostomy has no sphincter muscles, you will not be able to control your bowel movement (when stool comes out). You will need to wear a pouch to collect the stool.

Can you tell if someone has a colostomy bag?

It's common for an ostomy and pouch to go undetected. No one will know that you have an ostomy and pouch unless you tell them. You may choose not to tell many people.