Ostomy Care
Compassionate Support and Training
People may need an ostomy when their body is unable to get rid of waste properly. This can be due to a number of reasons, including cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, injury to the small or large intestine and diverticular disease. The surgical procedure creates an opening in the body to allow waste to be collected in a removable pouch worn on the outside of the body. If you've had ostomy surgery, adjusting to life with a stoma can take time.
The experienced ostomy care team at University of Vermont Health will help you learn how to adapt your daily activities and care for your stoma. We are here to support you with the treatment and resources you need.
Why Choose UVM Health?
As the only outpatient ostomy clinic in the area, we provide compassionate, comprehensive stoma care to patients from across Vermont and northern New York.
We offer:
- An expert team: Our staff includes nurses with specialized training in stoma care who work closely with your physician or surgeon to provide all aspects of ostomy care. We are here for any ostomate, regardless of where or when you had your surgery.
- Continued support: We provide resources and support throughout your treatment, from education and marking prior to surgery to ongoing follow-up and community support groups as you adjust to your stoma.
- Free supplies: Our donation closet is for ostomates in a time of need. We also accept unopened donations.
Conditions We Treat
We treat patients with all types of stomas, including:
- Colostomy: A surgically created opening into the colon through the abdomen
- Ileostomy: A surgically created opening into the small intestine through the abdomen
- Urostomy: A surgically created opening to drain urine
What to Expect
We will work with your physician on a referral to visit our outpatient ostomy clinic. We also see self-referred patients. We see patients from across the region, regardless of how long they’ve had their stoma or where their surgery was performed.
Our goal is to help you become comfortable with your stoma and overcome any challenges you may be facing. Our nurses will provide support for your specific needs, including:
- Pre-operative consultations to help you understand the ostomy procedure, what to expect and how to care for your stoma
- Strategies on exercise, work, travel and intimacy with a stoma
- Assistance in accessing supplies
- Help caring for your stoma or managing and troubleshooting any issues that may arise
Our nurses will follow up with you a week after surgery to check on your healing. They will then follow up once a month for the next three months to make sure you’re adjusting to your stoma. This continued support allows us to address any issues proactively, reducing the need for you to visit the ER or your surgeon if complications arise.
Home-Based Health Care
We provide care in the comfort of your home to support you in your recovery, help you maintain your independence and improve your quality of life. Services are available in Chittenden and Grand Isle counties.
Ostomy Supplies
The ostomy clinic has a donation closet fully stocked with stoma supplies, whether it’s an emergency or you need to try out a different product.
We are also always accepting donations of new, unopened ostomy supplies.
If you need stoma supplies outside of normal business hours, contact the outpatient pharmacy for help. There are two types of pouches available, both convex and a flat pouch.
Ostomy Support Group
Ostomy care can lead to a lot of questions for patients and their family members that may be difficult to ask. We sponsor an ostomy support group for patients, families and caregivers to help you find a community of people who understand the ostomy experience. The support group is free to attend, no registration is required and meets four times a year.
Locations near you
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75 Beekman Street
Plattsburgh, NY 12901