64: Stoma4Life with Raphaela Reeb - Episode 6464: Stoma4Life with Raphaela Reeb - Episode 64
UK Health Radio Podcast
Raphaela talks with intimacy coach Trina Ricketts about confidence, sensuality and relationships after ostomy surgery, using real-life experiences and practical strategies. The conversation focuses on treating intimacy as a basic need and finding new ways to feel desirable and connected post-surgery.
48:28•21 Jul 2026
Intimacy After Ostomy: Confidence, Connection and Real Talk with Trina Ricketts
Episode Overview
- Intimacy after ostomy surgery is a genuine need, not a luxury, and deserves open, honest discussion.
- Confidence comes from changing subconscious beliefs about self-worth, rather than from reversals, weight changes or cosmetic fixes.
- Building emotional connection with a partner is crucial before trying to restore physical intimacy.
- When dating, sharing information about a stoma works best once mutual attraction and trust are clear, and without apologising for it.
- Practical strategies such as addressing leaks, using garments, and visualising positive intimate moments can reduce anxiety and boost comfort.
“Intimacy is something that everyone is craving, even if they can't express it because they don't have the language. It's not a want, it's a need.”
Curious about how others manage intimacy and relationships after ostomy surgery? This heartfelt episode of UK Health Radio’s *Stoma4Life* focuses on the emotional side of life with a stoma, especially the parts most people are too shy to talk about. Host Raphaela sits down with ostomy and post-surgery intimacy coach Trina Ricketts to talk honestly about confidence, sensuality and connection after body-altering surgery.
The chat is warm, candid and often very relatable, whether you're an ostomate, a partner, or a health professional trying to understand what patients are up against. Trina shares how her own emergency bowel surgery and later permanent ostomy shattered her self-esteem, and how she slowly rebuilt it. She explains that many people are told they should just be "grateful to be alive", while their need for intimacy is quietly brushed aside.
As she puts it, "Intimacy is something that everyone is craving, even if they can't express it because they don't have the language. It's not a want, it's a need." You’ll hear practical ideas on talking to partners about a stoma, handling fears about leaks and body image, and even dating with an ostomy. Trina stresses patience on both sides of a relationship and encourages people to focus first on rebuilding emotional connection.
She also challenges the belief that confidence will magically appear after weight loss, reversals or cosmetic fixes, arguing instead that it comes from changing deep, subconscious beliefs about self-worth. With gentle humour and plenty of personal examples, this episode offers reassurance that intimacy after surgery can still be joyful, creative and deeply fulfilling. It’s aimed at anyone touched by ostomy surgery who wants more than just survival – they want closeness, touch and love again.
If you've ever wondered, "Will anyone find me attractive now?", this conversation might be the breath of fresh air you’ve been waiting for. How could your recovery change if you treated intimacy as a genuine need rather than an optional extra?
Do you want to link to this podcast?
Get the buttons here!
More From This Show
The latest episodes from the same podcast.