Pooped Normally with a Colostomy Bag - Should I Be Concerned?

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eab3691
Nov 05, 2024 5:27 pm

I got my colostomy this past May due to diverticulitis that caused sepsis. They removed some colon and intestine, but the surgeon said in February of next year I'll get a reversal.

Since then, I've tried to adjust to pooping out of my colostomy bag, but last night, I felt the urge in my rear end and had to go. Sat on the toilet and pooped. I wiped and there wasn't much on the toilet paper, but it was a weird consistency. I looked in the toilet and it wasn't much but was completely white-colored.

I called the surgeon today, concerned and worried, and the nurse told me not to worry about it. Completely normal. She said it was material (not waste) that had built up in my intestines that were unaffected. She said she's seen this before a lot. In short, she said I'll be fine.

Didn't want to gross anyone out with my description, but to let others on here know if it happens to them, don't worry.

infinitycastle52777
Nov 05, 2024 5:48 pm

That's mucus. Don't worry about it. I know I have a ileostomy and when that first happened to me I freaked out and so did my mom. But we were told it is only mucus and nothing to worry about. But it can come out hard instead of soft. You will be fine. Don't worry about it.

Posted by: iMacG5

About seven years ago, just about every aspect of my life was ostomy related. From the moment I was told an ostomy might be needed until some months down the road I existed as a person afflicted with a colostomy. I feared someone other than my immediate family might find out I had a bag. Ugh! What could be worse? Suppose it filled real fast when I was out with no place to hide and take care of myself. God forbid should it leak in church! Suppose I roll over on it in bed. I was a lesser creature, destined to a life of emotional anguish and physical routines different from most of the rest of the world. I felt like a freak. Then I found folks like you guys here, read your stuff, really “listened” to what you had to say and I began looking at things differently. We know perception is everything and I began to understand how good things were relative to what they could’ve been. So many folks had it so much worse than I did. That didn’t make my discomfort go away but it exposed how fortunate I was to be dealing with my stuff and not their’s. I felt a little guilt, maybe selfishness but quickly forgave myself by understanding I just wasn’t smart enough to fix my feelings. Then, I wonder what smarts have to do with feelings. My perception was warped so my perspective toward my existence was warped.
I learned over the last few years with the help of lots of folks right here at MAO that I could be better at living just by accepting some facts. It is what it is and so what? It’s not the worst thing to happen to a person.
I think everything is, in some way, related to everything else. I just put the ostomy thing in the back seat and drive forward.
Respectfully,
Mike

TerryLT
Nov 05, 2024 9:48 pm

Yup, mucus, and perfectly normal.  It's just the natural lubricant produced by your colon, that is meant to help move stool along.  When you got your ostomy, your colon didn't 'get the memo' that its job was no longer required.  Sometimes the colour of the mucus can be darker and look a lot like poop, sometimes more clear.  

Terry

warrior
Nov 06, 2024 1:22 am

Congratulations! You pooped today... 😊👍