Some bowel surgeries are more likely to require a stoma than others. Your surgeon will go through the likelihood of needing a stoma when they discuss the operation with you. This discussion will be part of the signing of the surgery consent you will go through with your surgeon. There are lots of variables why a surgeon would make the decision to create a stoma or not, however they may not be able to make the final decision until the surgery is actually underway. Your surgeon will want to make sure the outcomes of your surgery are the best they can possibly be. To prepare you fully for the possibility of a stoma, the surgeon may still recommend you to see the Stomal Therapy Nurse for more information and siting the stoma before your operation, even if there is a chance the stoma won’t happen.