I had a colostomy reversal 5 days ago. Today was my first bowel movement and wiping showed blood. Anyone else experience this? I will be calling my doctor tomorrow. It wasn't much, but I wasn't expecting it.
MarvyMarcia
Jun 02, 2024 8:03 pm
gentlejohn
Jun 02, 2024 9:55 pm
As long as it is only a small amount, that should be OK. Your anastomosis is healing. Repeated large amounts of blood need to be seen.
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Posted by: w30bob
Hi gang,
I was thinking what a great resource this site has been for me since I found it. It would have been really helpful, but maybe a bit scary, to have found it before my ostomy, but that's water under the bridge. But I got thinking about it, and now I'm questioning why doctors and hospitals don't provide this site's contact info to any patient even considering an ostomy today. And how can we change that so potential ostomates can learn about the road ahead for them by getting on here and asking questions before the docs go chop-chop. How exactly do you get all hospitals to provide their patients specific information, like this website?
I just happened to find this site something like 4 years after my ostomy when I Googled "ostomy forum" or something like that. But I never found it during previous searches.....so I found this site pretty much by pure luck. We need to find a way to make this site available to new or soon-to-be ostomates......as that's when we really need to commiserate with fellow ostomates. Anybody have any thoughts on how we do this?
Thanks,
Bob
MarvyMarcia
Jun 02, 2024 11:09 pm
Thanks for your insight! Instinct had me thinking that, but I just wanted to check.
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Beachboy
Jun 04, 2024 6:36 am
It's going to take a while for healing. You're going to see some blood for a little while. But, as GentleJohn mentioned, if there's a lot of blood... seek medical help.
DexieB
Jun 04, 2024 8:47 pm
Hello! I did not experience this after my colostomy reversal, but I know others have - and my surgeon told me it would be normal if I did, or even some blood clots, and that my bowel habits could take up to a few months to get back to normal (it didn't take that long in my case). As the others said, if it's a lot of blood then seek help.
A few months after reversal I did, however, have some blood, which turned out to be from hemorrhoids - my behind wasn't used to 'doing the business' after 8 months of rest, so fiber caused a few issues. Start slow with the fiber!
I reached out a lot to my surgeon's office with questions - if it eases your mind then don't hesitate, but in my opinion and from what I heard, a little is normal and expected.
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MarvyMarcia
Jun 05, 2024 12:27 am
Thanks for all the insight. I no longer am experiencing the bleeding. Thank goodness. You all provided extra information that has been most helpful!
Dogen's bag
Jul 30, 2024 4:28 pm
I'm a little late on the reply, but I would also suggest treating yourself to the softest toilet paper you can find. You want to feel like you're using a baby rabbit type of soft.
I had quite a bit of blood for my first movement and the hemorrhoid situation now and then since, and the soft TP really does make a world of difference.
Good luck!