Really pleased for Matt that he had such a positive experience and is making a brilliant recovery. I, however, do think that Matt’s choice of words of “it’s not that troublesome and “it’s easy” are actually quite alarming to hear. It’s a significant lifestyle change and not everyone has such a positive experience. If you’re preparing yourself for surgery it is important to understand that it may not be easy (particularly at the start) and if you are struggling your not weak and there is always support available👍

Fab interview

I completely agree with Matt. I have a permanent ileostomy and I find it really good once you get settled in with it. Every individual is different though - and I respect that we are each on our own journey in life. The toilets in this country are TERRIBLE often. I’ve done bag changes at the back of the car somewhere discreet as it’s cleaner and just easier. I also joke with people to say that they can’t call me an ‘ars*hole’ any time - because I’ve literally not got one (in my backside) lol.

So true about the problems about public toilets. Too many have been closed it makes people with stoma reluctant to go to places sometimes me included which it is handy having our caravette facilities.

Matt Forde is a top man.

I have a stoma I had a problem in the public toilets said I was emptying my bag when I came out this woman gave me a look as though I was doing drugs or something.

Great to have more awareness out there but disappointed BBC using incorrect terminology. Not sure where “fitted with a stoma bag” has come from. You don’t get a bag “fitted”. You have a stoma formed or created from a bringing a small piece of bowel through your abdomen (from the small bowel for an ileostomy or the large bowel for a colostomy). The operation involves removing some or all of your bowel (again amount of small bowel/large bowel removed depending on disease/reason the stoma is being created and the type of stoma required) and completely diverting your body’s waste removal system. You wear a stoma bag over the stoma exit to catch the waste products and the bag needs to be emptied/changed regularly. The bag is not permanently fitted. This language matters as it causes a lot of confusion when people are faced with this situation and potentially further distress or anxiety when realising what is really involved.