OBJECTIVES: To assess quality of life of Polish patients with a stoma using validated generic questionnaire. METHODS: Adult patients with colostomy, ileostomy or urostomy performed in Poland between July 2009 and December 2010 were included. Patients completed satisfaction survey at the discharge from the hospital, and The World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) generic questionnaire at 3 months after surgery. RESULTS: The study involved 1519 patients (71.5%, 16.8%, 11.7% with colostomy, ileostomy and urostomy, respectively). The studied population was highly diversified in terms of: pain and discomfort, dependence on medical treatment and acceptance of physical appearance. 57% of patients with a stoma defined their quality of life as good or very good (mean 3.54 points; range: 1 to 5; SD 0.73). The subjects were characterized by low quality of life assessment in the physical health and psychological domains (53.5 and 60.0 pts.) and by high evaluation in the environment and social relationships domains  (69.6 and 70.2 pts.). Respondents highly assessed: the level of social support, home environment, physical environment, personal relationships. Low assessment was related to: sexual activity, ability to work, dependence on medical treatment, financial resources, satisfaction with health.  CONCLUSIONS: This is the first Polish study on the quality of life of patients with a stoma, based on validated generic questionnaire. The results should help improve standards of care for patients with a stoma.