The purpose of this exploratory study was to identify unmet physical, emotional, and educational needs experienced by patients after hospital discharge from bowel or bladder diversion surgery. The researcher seeks to answer three questions: 1. What are the unmet ostomy needs experienced after discharge home by ostomates who had bowel or bladder diversion surgery at the primary researcher's hospital facility between January 1, 2003 and June 30, 2005? 2. Who, if anyone, did the ostomate seek help from regarding these problems? 3. Did the clinician's advice or intervention resolve the problem? Institutional Review Board approval was obtained. All patients, 18 years and older, who underwent the creation of a stoma during the designated time period were identified. Excluded from this group were deceased patients and prisoners. One hundred thirty nine surveys were mailed. The survey gathered demographic and anthropometric data; ostomy type; duration of stoma; pre-operative marking and teaching; appliance wear-time; financial impact of stomal supplies; occurrence of surgical, stomal and skin complications; contact with healthcare providers in the community after discharge and the effectiveness of this contact; support group participation; emotional issues such as coping and depression; and sexuality self-assessment. Thirty-five surveys were returned, for a return rate of 25%. Coding and data entry will occur during December 2005. Data analysis, including descriptive and correlational statistical tests, will take place during January 2006. A report of the results will be written during February 2006.