Rationale: Perspectives of progress in ostomy-related quality of life (QOL) can encourage individuals with an ostomy and their professional caregivers. Objective: Review archives and literature in ileostomy and colostomy management to summarize historic improvements in quality of life of individuals with an ostomy. Methods: This research addressed issues related to ileostomy and colostomy QOL as validated in the Stoma Quality of life Instrument. Results: For patients with an ostomy QOL increases with time after surgery and satisfaction with care. QOL also improves with patient education regarding self care, psychological and social support. Skin barriers and pouching systems improved from early make-shift devices of leather or rubber to current one-piece or two-piece pouching systems, some of which significantly improve leakage, odor, pain and skin irritation around the stoma-performance parameters affecting QOL. Controlled studies reveal that skin barrier adhesive type can limit skin irritation, prolong wear time, and improve QOL-related performance parameters. Conculsions: In the years since ostomy surgery was first performed, individuals with an ileostomy or colostomy have experienced significant improvements in quality of life resulting from enhanced patient education, support and care as well as from improvements in ostomy devices.