Question:
Is it possible that the stoma has relaxed instead of shrinking?

I read the question below about the stoma size and one of the poster's said that when everything heals the stoma shrinks a little. Is it possible for it to do the opposite? My surgeon said he made the stoma about 9 mm - the diameter of a pen. During the first, I'd say 2 1/2 to 3 months I had to be very, very careful because I had trouble with things getting stuck (I was only on pureed diet for 3 weeks after the first week of liquids). Then one day (or so it seemed) things started going down much, much easier. At first I was afraid I had stretched my pouch then I thought maybe I had ripped my stoma apart somehow. (oh the things that go through my mind!!!) The reason I thought I had ripped something is because one day there was something stuck and I could not get it to come back up and even though gagging is so appealing to me (uh huh)I figured to give up and see if it would pass. It did and I felt better. So - anyway - does anyone have any thoughts on this? Thanks everyone for being kind to this neurotic poster!    — Pambylah (posted on October 29, 2003)

November 1, 2003
Things getting easier about 2-3 months is prolly just because the swelling went down. You're all swollen inside for a while after surgery. Yes, it's possible that your stoma is stretched, but if you're not having any other problems, don't worry about it. Don't worry . . . if you're not having problems, don't make them. :o)
   — RWH G.