Concierge colorectal · UK
Private ileostomy in the UK, by a consultant colorectal surgeon.
An end or defunctioning loop ileostomy done properly — ACPGBI colorectal surgeon, specialist stoma nurse from the pre-op mark to the annual review, and a plan for reversal if that is the direction of travel.
Why patients choose us
- 01
A consultant colorectal surgeon, plus a stoma nurse
Not a general list. A named ACPGBI colorectal surgeon in theatre, and a specialist stoma nurse who marks you and follows you afterwards.
- 02
End vs loop, discussed properly
Permanent end ileostomy after proctocolectomy is a different conversation from a temporary defunctioning loop. We make sure you know which one is on the table, and why.
- 03
Independent, and free
We are paid by no clinic, so the recommendation is impartial and costs you nothing.
Indicative pricing
What a private ileostomy costs in the UK.
Indicative ranges across our partner clinics. Send the details and we quote firm figures across two or three options.
In short
A defunctioning loop ileostomy in our network: £8,500–£14,000, home in 3–5 nights.
| Procedure | Indicative range | Typical duration | Recovery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loop ileostomy (defunctioning, standalone) | £8,500–£14,000 | 60–90 min | 3–5 nights |
| End ileostomy (with proctocolectomy) | £22,000–£38,000 | Half-day | 5–8 nights |
| Loop ileostomy at IPAA (2-stage) | Included in IPAA fee | Add-on | With index op |
| Stoma marking + pre-op nurse consultation | £200–£450 | 45–60 min | Same visit |
| Community stoma nurse follow-up (per visit) | £120–£220 | 30–45 min | As booked |
| Consultation only | £250–£450 | 30 min | Same visit |
Prices vary by clinic, by which surgeon does the case, by whether the ileostomy is standalone or part of a bigger operation, and by length of stay. Stoma products are on FP10 repeat prescription (NHS-funded) whether the surgery is NHS or private. We come back with a firm quote within one working day.
The problem
The right surgeon, the right stoma, in the right place on your abdomen.
Ileostomy is one of those operations where the outcome depends as much on the pre-op stoma nurse and the post-op support as it does on the surgery itself. We line all three up before you commit.
-
Not sure it is needed?
For some UC and Crohn’s patients, medical therapy or a different operation is still on the table. We say so before you agree to a stoma.
-
Worried about the bag?
You will meet a specialist stoma nurse first, not a leaflet. The mark on your abdomen matters as much as the surgery.
-
Want it done properly?
A named ACPGBI colorectal surgeon, ERAS recovery, community stoma follow-up and long-term B12 and hernia review.
The journey
From enquiry to long-term care — what happens, in order.
One surgeon and one stoma nurse from first message onwards — including the annual review.
Phase 1 · Before your procedure
Concierge, off-stage for you
Phase 2 · On the day
Admission and surgery
Phase 3 · After
Recovery and long-term care
- 01
Before
You tell us what is going on
A short, confidential form. Diagnosis (UC, Crohn’s, FAP, cancer), whether an ileostomy has already been suggested, and what has been tried.
- 02
Before
We come back with a recommendation
Within one working day: the right surgeon, whether it is an end or loop ileostomy, and an indicative price for the whole admission.
- 03
Before
Pre-op stoma marking
A specialist stoma nurse marks your abdominal wall — considering skin folds, waistband, dominant hand and mobility — before you go anywhere near theatre.
- 04
On the day
Admission and surgery
Laparoscopic or open, at the end of the primary bowel operation. The terminal ileum is brought through the abdominal wall (usually right iliac fossa) and everted using the Brooke technique.
- 05
On the day
Recovery on the ward
Enhanced recovery protocol — early mobilisation, early feeding. A stoma nurse teaches you to change and empty the bag before you go home.
- 06
After
First weeks at home
Output settles from watery to porridge-like over 4–6 weeks. Community stoma nurse visits, dietary adaptation, and a follow-up with your surgeon at 6 weeks.
- 07
After
Longer-term review
Annual stoma review, B12 monitoring, and — for a loop ileostomy — a conversation about reversal at 8–16 weeks once the distal anastomosis has healed.
Typical end-to-end: 2–3 weeks from enquiry to admission. Output settles: 4–6 weeks.
When it helps
When an ileostomy is the right step.
The situations we see most, plus the one red flag that means a phone call to your team rather than a wait-and-see.
-
Ulcerative colitis
Severe or refractory disease, dysplasia, or as the first stage of a restorative proctocolectomy with pouch (IPAA).
-
Crohn’s disease
Extensive or complex Crohn’s where the colon or rectum is no longer salvageable — usually an end ileostomy.
-
Familial adenomatous polyposis
FAP requiring proctocolectomy — end ileostomy if no pouch, or a temporary loop to protect a pouch.
-
Colorectal cancer
A defunctioning loop ileostomy to protect a low anterior resection anastomosis, reversed once healed.
-
Diverticular disease and ischaemia
Complex diverticular resection or ischaemic bowel where a defunctioning stoma is safer than a primary join.
-
Faecal incontinence — salvage
Refractory incontinence, radiation enteritis, or a rare last-resort ileostomy where no other option has worked.
-
Chronic constipation — rare
A very rare indication after all other treatments have failed — always a specialist decision, never a first move.
-
Red flag: high-output ileostomy
Output over 1,500 ml in 24 hours, thirst, dizziness or reduced urine is a medical concern — call your team the same day.
Procedure options
An ileostomy is not one operation.
What each type on the table actually involves — and which situation it fits.
-
End ileostomy (permanent)
Usually after proctocolectomy for UC (without pouch), Crohn’s or FAP. The terminal ileum is the only outlet from now on.
-
End ileostomy (temporary)
A bridging step in a two-stage restorative proctocolectomy — the pouch is built later, then joined and defunctioned.
-
Loop ileostomy (defunctioning)
A loop of ileum brought to the surface to divert stool away from a healing anastomosis or pouch — normally reversed at 8–16 weeks.
-
Laparoscopic formation
Keyhole approach where possible — smaller wounds, quicker recovery, less adhesion risk for a future reversal.
-
Open formation
Open surgery when the underlying disease, prior operations or emergency setting make laparoscopy unsafe.
-
Brooke eversion technique
The ileal end is turned back on itself and sutured to skin — this reduces skin erosion from small-bowel content.
-
Emergency ileostomy
For toxic megacolon, perforation or ischaemia — done urgently, usually with a subtotal colectomy.
-
Stoma revision
Refashioning a retracted, prolapsed, stenosed or leaking stoma — sometimes with resiting to a new abdominal position.
Our vetted UK network
A small panel of colorectal surgeons, we picked them.
Consultant colorectal surgeons across London and the UK, paired with specialist stoma nurses. Not listed publicly — introductions are made privately, once we understand your case.
Selection criteria
How we choose every surgeon in our network.
-
ACPGBI-registered consultant colorectal surgeons
-
Specialist stoma clinical nurse specialists (CNS) on the pre-op and follow-up pathway
-
Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols as standard
-
Access to community stoma nursing and IA support after discharge
Safety and recovery
What to expect afterwards — honestly.
Ileostomy is a well-established operation but it needs active management — output, hydration, skin, and the long-term issues that only show up over months and years.
-
Stoma marking is not optional
A stoma placed in a skin fold, on the waistband or where you cannot see it is a lifetime of leaks. The pre-op mark by a stoma nurse matters as much as the surgery.
-
Normal output settles at 800–1,200 ml
Output is watery for the first 1–2 weeks, then thickens to a porridge consistency. Most people empty the bag 4–6 times a day.
-
High-output ileostomy is a real thing
Output above 1,500 ml/day risks dehydration, acute kidney injury and low sodium/magnesium. It needs medical management, not just more water.
-
The high-output toolkit
Loperamide 4–16 mg 30 min before meals, codeine 30–60 mg qds, omeprazole 40 mg bd, St Mark’s oral rehydration solution 1 L/day, and a low-fibre high-salt diet.
-
Avoid hypotonic drinks
Plain water, tea, coffee and dilute juice make a high-output stoma worse — sip St Mark’s solution or a proper rehydration mix instead.
-
Skin protection matters
Barrier rings, stoma powder for weeping skin, and a well-fitting appliance prevent the chronic erythema that undermines every bag change.
-
B12 needs annual checking
The terminal ileum absorbs vitamin B12. After ileostomy — especially with any ileal resection — annual bloods and intramuscular B12 if deficient are the standard.
-
Gallstones and kidney stones
Ileostomies raise the risk of cholesterol gallstones and uric acid renal stones. Hydration and, sometimes, urine alkalinisation are part of long-term care.
-
Red flags
A dusky or black stoma, no output for 12 hours with abdominal pain, output above 1,500 ml with dizziness, or fever with a hot painful stoma — call your team or A&E the same day.
Reading your operation note
Your operation note in four parts. Read the last one first.
Whichever approach was used, the note your surgeon sends you keeps to the same shape.
A quiet reminder
Surgical language is precise and can read coldly — we translate it for you.
If you would like us to talk you through the note before your review, just ask.
- 01 Header
Indication and type of stoma
Why the stoma was formed — UC, Crohn’s, cancer, FAP — and whether it is an end or a defunctioning loop ileostomy.
- 02 Technique
Approach and construction
Laparoscopic or open, the site on the abdominal wall, the Brooke eversion, and any sub-fascial notes on the passage of the bowel.
- 03 Findings
Bowel condition and any resection
The state of the small and large bowel, any resection performed at the same time, and the length of small bowel remaining.
- 04 Impression
Recovery, output plan and reversal
Read this first: expected output, medications to have at home, follow-up dates, and — for a loop — when reversal is likely.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Ileostomy formation is almost always covered when medically indicated. Stoma products themselves are on FP10 repeat prescription (NHS-funded) whether the surgery is NHS or private. We confirm cover before booking.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about ileostomy.
Quick answers on end vs loop, output, high-output management, cost, and long-term care.
-
What is the difference between an end and a loop ileostomy?
An end ileostomy is a single opening from the terminal ileum, usually permanent (after proctocolectomy) or a bridging step in a two-stage pouch operation. A loop ileostomy is a loop of ileum brought to the surface to divert stool away from a healing join lower down — it is normally temporary and reversed at 8–16 weeks.
-
How much output is normal, and what counts as “high-output”?
Normal output is about 800–1,200 ml a day, watery at first and thickening to a porridge consistency over 4–6 weeks. Anything over 1,500 ml/day is a high-output ileostomy — worth flagging urgently because of the risk of dehydration, acute kidney injury and electrolyte problems.
-
How do I manage a high-output ileostomy?
The mainstays are loperamide 4–16 mg 30 minutes before meals, codeine phosphate 30–60 mg four times a day, a PPI (omeprazole 40 mg twice daily) to reduce gastric secretion, an oral rehydration solution such as St Mark’s (about 1 L/day), and a low-fibre, high-salt diet. Avoid hypotonic drinks — plain water, tea, coffee and juice — on their own.
-
How much does a private ileostomy cost in the UK?
A standalone defunctioning loop ileostomy is roughly £8,500–£14,000. An end ileostomy formed as part of a proctocolectomy runs £22,000–£38,000. If a loop is formed at the same time as an ileo-anal pouch, it is included in the pouch fee. Stoma products are on FP10 repeat prescription, so ongoing supplies are NHS-funded.
-
Will I need special care from a stoma nurse?
Yes. A specialist stoma clinical nurse specialist marks your abdominal wall before surgery, teaches you to manage the bag on the ward, and follows you up in the community. Longer-term you should have annual stoma reviews and access to the Ileostomy & Internal Pouch Association (IA) for peer support.
-
Can I swim, exercise and travel with an ileostomy?
Once the wound has healed, yes — swimming with a small drainable bag, most sports, flying and travel are all fine. The main things to plan are hydration, spare supplies, a doctor’s letter for airport security, and avoiding heavy lifting for the first 6–12 weeks.
-
What are the long-term complications?
The most common is parastomal hernia (30–50% at 10 years, though only 10–20% need repair). Others include stoma stenosis, retraction, prolapse, mucocutaneous separation, chronic skin problems, adhesional obstruction, B12 deficiency, bile-acid diarrhoea after ileal resection, cholesterol gallstones and uric acid kidney stones.
-
When will a loop ileostomy be reversed?
Usually 8–16 weeks after the original operation, once imaging or a contrast study confirms the distal anastomosis or pouch has healed. Reversal is normally a shorter admission of 2–4 nights, and is discussed as a separate step.
Related tests
Looking for something else?
-
Ileostomy closure (loop)
Reversal of a defunctioning loop ileostomy at 8–16 weeks.
Learn more -
Ileo-anal pouch (IPAA)
Restorative proctocolectomy with an ileo-anal pouch.
Learn more -
Colostomy
End or loop colostomy — when the colon is the outlet.
Learn more -
All tests
Every test and procedure we arrange.
Learn more
Nearby in the library