GETTING FAMILIAR What is a colostomy? A colostomy is a surgical operation in which a piece of the colon is diverted to an artificial opening in the abdominal wall so as to bypass a damaged part of the colon. What does a colostomy do? The colon and rectum beyond the colostomy are disconnected or removed. The anus is no longer the exit for stool, but it will still pass. THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM When you eat, the food passes from your mouth through your esophagus. The stomach then b