Louise Thompson Breaks Down in Tears After ‘Debilitating’ Stoma Leak During London Trip
Louise Thompson has bravely opened up about suffering an “unbearably overwhelming” stoma leak during a trip into central London this week, leaving her in tears and unable to continue with her planned work schedule.
The former Made in Chelsea star, 30, who has been living with a stoma since last year following complications from ulcerative colitis and a traumatic birth in 2021, was en route to a podcast recording with friends when the incident occurred.
Taking to Instagram, Louise explained that she had traveled to Marylebone with her fiancé Ryan Libbey for a morning appointment, followed by coffee and podcast plans. But while enjoying a quiet moment, she suddenly felt something wet — her stoma bag had leaked.
“Everything was going so well, and then it just hit me,” she wrote. “I felt totally overwhelmed, unable to speak. I ended up locked in a bathroom, covered in mess, waiting for help.”
Ryan rushed her to a nearby private hospital, where staff scrambled to find emergency supplies. Louise had to tear off the faulty bag painfully without adhesive spray and fit a replacement herself, with her assistant hurrying to buy her new clothes.
Trying to stay strong, Louise attempted to continue with her day, but eventually broke down. “I saw myself in the mirror and burst into tears,” she said. “I had to admit I couldn’t do it anymore. Sometimes you just have to stop and put your mental health first.”
Louise, who has become a powerful advocate for stoma awareness, called the experience “depressing” but also a reminder that she is still healing. She later took the rest of the day to relax in the sun and read.
In her Daily Mail column, she previously revealed that her stoma “saved her life,” after enduring life-threatening flare-ups of ulcerative colitis. “It’s not glamorous, but it gave me back a future,” she wrote.
What is a stoma?
A stoma is a surgically created opening on the abdomen that allows waste (stool or urine) to leave the body through a pouch or bag, bypassing the normal digestive or urinary tract. This procedure is often necessary for people with conditions like ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, bowel cancer, or severe injury to the intestines.
There are several types of stomas:
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Colostomy: where the opening is made from the large intestine.
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Ileostomy: where the small intestine (ileum) is brought to the surface.
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Urostomy: for urinary diversion.
While living with a stoma can be physically and emotionally challenging, many people find that it significantly improves their quality of life — especially after long-term illness or bowel dysfunction. The bags are discreet, secure, and usually require changing only a couple of times a day.
Louise Thompson has helped normalize this condition by speaking openly and honestly about her experience, helping thousands of others feel less alone.
