Sometimes doctors do a colostomy to give a damaged section of bowel time to heal. In this case, the stoma is temporary. You'll have it for a few weeks or months. Once the damage has healed ...

An ileostomy might be temporary. After it is reversed, stool leaves the body through the anus (the bottom). Ileostomy and colostomy refer to both the type of surgery used and the type of ostomy.

If the large bowel (colon) is brought out, it is called a colostomy. You might have a temporary colostomy or ileostomy. This is done after surgery to allow time for your bowel to heal. You have ...