A mother from Rhondda Valley, South Wales, says she feels like a 'brand-new woman' after lifesaving surgery left her without a rectum and anus, and she now embraces her stoma bag with confidence.
Kirby Higgins, 30, a makeup artist, was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in November 2023 following a colonoscopy after spotting blood in her stools. She underwent various treatment plans, including steroids, suppositories, and infusion therapy, but claims they only worsened her symptoms.
Hospitalisation and surgeries
When she found herself dashing to the loo up to 15 times a day and feeling like a 'zombie' from severe fatigue, she was hospitalised in February 2025. She subsequently underwent three surgeries where her large bowel was removed and two stoma bags were fitted. In January 2026, Kirby had 'Barbie butt' surgery, a proctectomy, which involved the complete removal of her rectum and anus.
Now eight months post-surgery, she is nearly fully recovered and has just one stoma bag. Photos show her confidently sporting bikinis and body-hugging dresses while proudly displaying her stoma bag.
Sharing her journey
Kirby said: "I would never go to the toilet without passing blood. In the beginning I was going to the toilet about four times a day but before I got admitted into hospital, I was going 15 times a day."
She added: "I woke up [from my second surgery] and I had two stoma bags, one on either side. Up until five days before this I didn't know it was possible to have two stoma bags."
She has been sharing her journey with ulcerative colitis on social media, saying: "I still wear tight dresses. If anything, because I lost some weight, I felt a bit more confident. I've had four holidays with a stoma bag now and I wear my bikinis. I think because I like talking about it and sharing my story, it's given me confidence. It [my stoma bag] saved my life and I wouldn't be here if I didn't."
Advice to others
Kirby offered advice: "I think my biggest advice to people is to try and remain positive but also allow yourself to have your down days and cry, be angry and feel all the emotions."
She concluded: "You just have to keep in the front of your mind that it [the stoma bag] saved your life and you're here and living. I'm grateful to be here living and I'm a healthier version of myself now. I've got my energy back and I'm not worrying about the toilet."
