A loop colostomy creates a stoma through which stool exits. In this type, the colon stays connected to the rectum. As a result, people will sometimes pass stool or gas through the rectum.
Pooping will be different with a colostomy bag. Immediately after your surgery, your anus may continue to expel poop and other fluids that were left inside. But new poop will now exit through your stoma. Most people will be able to feel their bowels move and know when poop is about to come out.
Since the ileostomy has no sphincter muscles, you will not be able to control your bowel movement (when stool comes out). You will need to wear a pouch to collect the stool. The stool coming out of the stoma is a liquid to pasty consistency.
For those with an ileostomy, output tends to be thinner and more frequent, prompting about six to eight bathroom trips a day. Some people who have an ileostomy may be looking for ideas on how to firm stool up a bit and decrease output and/or trips to the bathroom.
Some people have a permanent colostomy or ileostomy. When you have a stoma, you need to wear a bag to collect your poo or urine.
Your stoma nurse will give you advice about how soon you can go back to normal activities. At first you will pass wind through your stoma and then, usually within 2 or 3 days, you poo through it. This should start to improve as your bowel recovers from the effects of the operation.
A colostomy is an operation to create an opening (stoma) of the large bowel (colon) onto the surface of the tummy (abdomen). Your poo no longer passes out of your body through your back passage. Instead, it passes out through the stoma. You wear a bag that sticks onto the skin over the stoma to collect your poo.
The BBC Radio 1 presenter had a stoma bag, which she refers to as Audrey, fitted last October after being diagnosed with bowel cancer. The operation diverts one end of the colon, which is part of the bowel, through an opening in the abdomen called a stoma.
It's always a good idea to empty or change your stoma bag before you go to bed as it will help to prevent your bag from filling up too much overnight and disturbing your sleep. A full stoma bag is always at risk of leaking and that's not something you want to experience during the night.
Also, it is normal to smell your ostomy output and gas when you are changing your ostomy bag. As you would if you went to the toilet the standard way to poo, it's natural for it to have a smell... After all, it is waste from your digestive system!
If you have a colostomy or ileostomy, you may have noticed gas in your pouch, which happens as your bowel begins to function after surgery. The amount of gas varies. However, if you've always had excessive gas, you'll probably still have it after your surgery, but in your pouch.
If the stoma does not protrude above the skin, the stool may get under the pouch seal and cause leakage. A convex pouching system can provide some pressure around the stoma to force output to get into the pouch and not under the skin barrier seal.
Bowel blockage or obstruction
If the poo coming out of your stoma slows down or stops, you may have a bowel blockage. Speak to your stoma nurse if you have cramps, feel nauseous or notice swelling around your stoma. They may recommend avoiding solid foods, massaging your tummy or having a hot bath.
Water will not harm or enter your stoma. Prior to swimming, make sure your seal is secure. Empty your pouch before swimming. Also, ensure your wafer has been on for at least an hour prior to getting wet.
For instance, many doctors recommend avoiding contact sports because of possible injury to the stoma from a severe blow. But special protection may be able to help prevent these problems. Talk to your health care team about any limitations you may have.
After a stoma, the bottom part of the bowel no longer has poo passing through it, but it still produces mucus. Dead cells from the lower bowel or rectum may be mixed in with the mucus.
Adele Roberts had a stoma bag after she underwent surgery to remove a tumor. She named her stoma Audrey.
Colostomy irrigation
Irrigation is an alternative to wearing a colostomy appliance. It involves washing out your colon with water either every day or every other day.
Too much physical activity can increase the risk for hernias. Muscles around the stoma that support it are a bit weaker after surgery. Avoid lifting more than 8lbs., especially for the first six weeks after surgery. Ostomy support belts are highly recommended when lifting or using abdominal muscles.
For at least 6 weeks, avoid lifting anything that would make you strain. This may include heavy grocery bags and milk containers, a heavy briefcase or backpack, cat litter or dog food bags, a vacuum cleaner, or a child. Ask your doctor when you can drive again. You will probably need to take 6 weeks off from work.
Not everybody loses weight when they have a stoma
Although unwanted weight loss is a common problem before and immediately following surgery, long-term many people find that they gain too much weight and decide to cut down.
If possible, take a short walk or just walk slowly around your house, as long as it's not too painful. Try several different body positions, such as a knee-chest position, or lie on the side of your stoma with knees bent, as it might help move the blockage forward.
Try lying down and lifting your knees to your chest, rolling gently from side to side. For people with a colostomy, your GP or stoma care nurse may prescribe some laxatives, use these as prescribed and don't forget to drink plenty of water with these as it will help them work better.