1 week post op. Seem to have no bowel control. Stand and just comes out. Also concerned about UTI. Wearing depends because I never know when a bowel movement will come.
Nurse
Newhere
Do you still have much colon left? What was the reason for your colostamy? It took me a while, over a week anyway for things to settle down, I had reversal in August 23. Take care, rest up, Bill.
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Beachboy
Please keep us posted on your progress.
Return of normal bowel function is the goal of reversal for me. So far I have refused reversal because "the bag" is better than uncontrolled rectal leakage.
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Hollister
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IGGIE
You might feel more normal with a reversal but for me the Bag wins every time, and I am alive to tell you that. Regards IGGIE
Bill
Hello Nurse.
I see from your profile that you have a temporary colostomy and are expecting a reversal in February (this month).
What people normally associate with bowel control is the sphincter, which keeps the output in until you need to go. This is a very useful natural device (if it works).
However your stoma diverts the output before it reaches the sphincter, so, at present, you are reliant on the autonomic system that works the peristalsis in the digestive system. The autonomic system is, as is implied, 'automatic' and is not very amenable to our 'control'.
Catching the output in a bag is the most convenient way of 'managing' this until your reversal.
If you colostomy was going to be permanent, I would suggest that irrigation might be a better option as it often prevents output for long periods (usually until the next irrigation session).
You are very fortunate if you are a suitable candidate for a reversal so soon after your operation. People with more permanent stomas need to adjust to what is commonly labelled as their 'new-normal', which is often precisely what you describe in terms of lack of personal control over the output.
This 'new-normal' is not easy to adjust to but in your case, where a reversal is in the immediate future, it might be useful to view your condition as like any other 'injury', which will take time to nurse/manage/ and put up with until it heals.
Do keep us in touch with how things progress as your story may be important for others in similar circumstances.
Best wishes
Bill
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