Question:
I know this is a dumb question

But what is a Stoma, Is it the same as a stomach,is it misspelling, or is it something else? I see it mention so often but I don't understand what you are talking about. Please explain it to me like I'm a six year old???? Thanks guys.    — Rebe W. (posted on November 29, 2002)

November 29, 2002
One stoma is the artificial opening made between your pouch (i.e. your new "stomach") and the part of the intestine that the surgeon attaches to the pouch. <p> There is a 2nd stoma where the part of the intestine coming out of the duodenum (the bottom part of the old stomach) is attached to the rest of the intestine, but the stoma described in the first paragraph is the one we care about. <p> By the way, both words come from the Greek word <i>stoma</i> meaning mouth...JR JR
   — John Rushton

November 29, 2002
Rebe...there are no such things as dumb questions! =) A stoma, simply put, is "an artificial permanent opening". You usually think of a colostomy....in this case the stoma opens through the abdominal wall. In our case, it's inside the body. Hope this helps! =)
   — Kim D.

November 29, 2002
Thank you, you wonderful people, love you all
   — Rebe W.