Management

Stoma Care: Sizing the Opening

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Step-by-Step

Supplies needed to size stoma, including measuring guide, pen, curved scissors, closure clip, and ostomy bag.

1. Gather your supplies.

Person holding measuring guide to stoma with one hand and other hand keeping shirt rolled up.

2. Size your stoma with the measuring guide.

Stoma showing through opening of measuring guide with just enough space around stoma to not touch measuring guide.

3. Find the opening that fits just around your stoma.

Person using pen to mark front of ostomy bag skin barrier with measuring guide.

4. Mark the opening on the center of the skin barrier.

One hand holding ostomy bag from front, while other hand peels back of bag away.

5. Pull the back of the pouch away from the front.

Person using curved scissors to cut opening.

6. Cut the opening.

Hand peeling back adhesive layer from front of ostomy bag.

7. Peel the backing from the barrier.

Person placing ostomy bag with stoma in center of opening.

8. Place the barrier over your stoma and press to adhere.

Online Medical Reviewer: Jen Lehrer MD

Online Medical Reviewer: John Hanrahan MD

Online Medical Reviewer: Raymond Kent Turley BSN MSN RN

Date Last Reviewed: 11/01/2022

© 2000-2026 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.

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