Post-Hartmann's Procedure Issues: Stoma Not Functioning Properly

Well last month I was on here asking about complications associated with the Hartmann's procedure...I had my surgery last week. The takedown of the transverse loop went fine and they created an end sigmoid colostomy...but it's not emptying. At first I thought it was swollen shut and having a hard time for that reason (it was passing some gas and a little stool but not much). Now though, I haven't passed gas for about 20 hours and no stool either. I can feel bowel moving and contracting and it's like a really bad cramp and I feel a bit sick to my stomach, like I need to go but it's not happening. One side of the stoma bulges out a bit like it's meant to but the other side not so much. When my bowel contracts as if to have a movement, that one half of the stoma disappears inside me and it looks like the stitches are pulled taut. The bowel feels as if it is under constant tension like it is too short to reach the opening in my belly. I would assume this must be the case except that only half of the stoma disappears like this and I noticed it a few days after the surgery and not immediately. I'm not just bloated either, my belly has actually shrunken while I was in the hospital due to me not being able to pig out like I tend to. What might this be?

Hi Elli Bean - sounds a bit dodgy to me .... think a trip back to the hospital may be called for as may be a blockage .... ? Hope not, but if you are in a lot of pain and have been eating ok up until recently and nothing is shifting then better to be safe etc .....

Rach xxx

Thanks lottagelady, I have since had a small movement...but also noticed that when it retracts (whenever it is touched or when I feel it needs to empty) it turns dark and cold...not black dark, sort of super dark purply red, and it doesn't stay like that always but the blood flow is getting bad. Also noticed it always appears that a bit of ick is just at the opening but it doesn't go anywhere. I think I will see if my dad is up to a trip back to the hospital, but it's not nearby and waiting time can be pretty long....so I better be prepared for him to be ticked off...

Just another thought - can you call your ostomy nurse ... if of course you even have one????

Rach xoxoxo

hey even if you have output it can still be a blockage, i had a reversal 2 weeks ago and i passed a decent amount of stool two days in a row but the next day i had to go to hospital because i was in so much pain, turned out to be a partial blockage that was pushing against scar tissue. try not eating food and just drinking liquids if you cant get to hospital. try not to take anything for the pain because it can constipate you

Words of Encouragement from Ostomy Advocates I Hollister

I hope you are feeling better soon!

Hi there,

I had that surgery 6 months ago and noticed the disappearing stoma and different shape of the stoma on one side only a few months ago. It seems to make sense that you not out putting like "normal" would be due to your lack of solid foods and the bowels trying to work again. I also see color change with my stoma, sometimes it looks red and sometimes more pinkish. I wonder if your pain is associated with the surgery and the inflamation still present from all manipulation that was done in your gut? I am no stranger to blockages either, as I had one before this surgery and was still running to the bathroom. But I can say I knew something was up cuz it was uncontrollable and pure water/ crap! I think it is a great idea to call the surgeon or nurse before ticken off dad. I know it is hard on our parent(s) to help out all the time, yet they know in their hearts you need them! HA.. even when you are as old as me! I hope things all work out for the better and your worries are laid to rest soon

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