Louise Thompson has proudly revealed there is ‘nothing’ she won’t wear after getting a stoma bag fitted.
The former Made In Chelsea star, 34, revealed earlier this month she had a stoma bag fitted after years of suffering from ulcerative colitis following a diagnosis in 2018.
Taking to Instagram on Wednesday, Louise shared a video of herself in a blue swimsuit and said she was surprised herself how ‘incognito’ it was in swimwear.
Sharing she has now given her stoma bag the hilarious name Winnie as a play on the character Winnie The Pooh, Louise wrote: ‘Things I won’t wear with my bum bag :NOTHING.
‘I have to say I’m pretty amazed by how incognito my stoma bag is in my cosi’s ! Might be a different story by the end of the day but for now this is SERVING.
Louise Thompson has proudly revealed there is ‘nothing’ she won’t wear after getting a stoma bag fitted and has given it a name
The former Made In Chelsea star, 34, revealed earlier this month she had a stoma bag fitted after years of suffering from ulcerative colitis following a diagnosis in 2018
‘What are we thinking about the name Winnie? And more importantly have you got it? I think it’s priceless. Clue: honey pot , but open to suggestions.
‘Was on our og baby name list, but this will do for now. L x’
Louise’s followers took to the comment section to praise her body confidence message and were entertained she had called it Winnie after the character Winnie The Pooh.
One wrote: ‘Love this so much. The number of patients I’ve seen too afraid to wear anything tight. You’re going to give so many people the confidence they deserve’.
The TV star’s friend Rosie Fortescue added: ‘I love youuuuuuu’ (sic).
Others said: ‘You look amazing! And how brave of you to share’ and ‘Mine is Frodo (Baggins).’
Louise shared the news of having a stoma bag fitted with her Instagram followers in early April, as she bravely admitted it is ‘not something she wanted to hide forever’.
The television personality has previously spoken about her ongoing struggles with the bowel condition ulcerative colitis as well as the autoimmune disease lupus.
Taking to Instagram on Wednesday, Louise shared a video of herself in a blue swimsuit and said she was surprised herself how ‘incognito’ it was in swimwear
She wrote: ‘ Things I won’t wear with my bum bag : NOTHING. ‘I have to say I’m pretty amazed by how incognito my stoma bag is in my cosi’s!’
Louise’s followers took to the comment section to praise her body confidence message and were entertained she had called it Winnie after the character Winnie The Pooh
Earlier this year, Louise spent two weeks in hospital after suffering a ulcerative colitis flare up during a holiday with her fiance Ryan Libbey and their little boy Leo, two (pictured at the time)
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic bowel condition where the colon and rectum become inflamed and small ulcers develop on the colon’s lining, which can bleed. The condition has no cure, but can be effectively managed with time.
Earlier this year she spent two weeks in hospital after suffering a ulcerative colitis flare up during a holiday with her fiance Ryan Libbey and their little boy Leo, two.
The fitness influencer almost died during the birth of her son Leo in 2021 and was left with post traumatic stress disorder.
Louise shared a video of herself showing the bag, which is attached to her stomach, and wrote: HOW DO I DISCLOSE THIS SORT OF NEWS?
‘It’s not exactly exciting like a big pregnancy or gender reveal announcement! Hey look i’m having a boy… Hey look i’ve got a stoma!
‘So I guess i’ll just stand here. Proud in stature. With my new friend. Le bum bag, that represents life. And hopefully a better one.
‘Isn’t it bizarre that this little grey pouch is the price I pay for good health! I say good riddance to that nasty menacing colon!
Louise urged people to support her choice to share her news online, and added: ‘Please be kind.’
In the clip, Louise lifted her top to reveal the pouch and told her fans she was ‘introducing the bag that may well have saved her life’.
She added: ‘Not exactly a glamorous announcement but not something I want to keep hidden forever.’
Louise’s post was flooded with supportive messages from her friends and followers, including her brother’s girlfriend Zara McDermott.
Sharing her own message of support, she wrote: ‘When you think about it, it’s a beautiful thing because it means less time in hospital, less time in pain, less time with a poison organ in your body! Now you are free my girl. Now it’s time for you.’
What is a stoma?
A stoma is a surgically-created opening made on the abdomen, which is made to divert the flow of urine and faeces.
According to the NHS, this procedure may be needed if you cannot pass stools through your anus, which could be the result of an illness, injury or problem with your digestive system.
In the UK, it is estimated that one in 335 people have had the surgery.
The procedure can be part treatment for a number of illnesses, including cancer, diverticulitis, Crohn’s disease or any trauma to the abdomen.
The stoma will generally be ‘pink and most – like the inside of our mouths’. After the surgery, it will be swollen, but this will reduce in six to eight weeks.
There is no sensation to touching a stoma – as there are no nerves – but different people will have theirs in a different size or shape.
It is also possible to have a temporary stoma, which could later be reversed, if the diseased or damaged area in the bowel needs to heal over time.
A stoma is a surgically-created opening made on the abdomen, which is made to divert the flow of urine and faeces. Stock image used
TYPES OF STOMA
COLOSTOMY
This refers to an opening in the colon – the large intestine. During the operation, a part of the colon will be brought from inside the body through their abdomen. The output from this ‘often resembles a traditional stool’ and functions around one to three times a day.
ILEOSTOMY
For this procedure, the surgeon will bring a part of the small intestine – the ileum specifically – from inside the patient’s body and bring it through the abdomen, stitching it down to secure it. The output for an ileostomy is looser than that of a colostomy. An ileostomy bag – which enables drainage into the toilet between three to six times a day’ – is also worn.
UROSTOMY
A urostomy refers to an opening for a person’s urine specifically. For this, the surgeon will take a piece of someone’s small intestine and attach it to the ureters. This will ‘form a passageway for urine to pass through’. For this, one of the tube is brought out through the abdomen. A urostomy bag will also have a ‘bung or tap on the bottom to allow urine to be drained at regular intervals into the toilet’.
Source: Colostomy UK, NHS
