How does a colostomy affect the digestive system?

A colostomy creates an opening between the colon and the abdominal wall, allowing waste to exit the body directly through this opening, which is known as a stoma. This procedure is often performed when a part of the colon needs to be removed or bypassed due to various medical conditions such as cancer, diverticulitis, or traumatic injury. After a colostomy, the normal pathway of digestion is altered because waste is no longer passed through the rectum. Instead, it is collected in an external bag attached to the stoma, which changes how waste is eliminated from the body and can significantly affect a patient’s lifestyle and routine.

This process does not create a bypass for the esophagus, remove the stomach, or repair the intestines. Each of those alternative options describes different surgical procedures or effects that are not applicable to a colostomy.