As expected, my surgeon has advised me to do a bowel prep before my loop ileostomy surgery. I've tried nearly everything available in the past, but it usually just results in some oily mucus-like diarrhea. My question is: if I'm not fully “cleaned out,” will they irrigate my colon during the procedure? I know this is a question that should be discussed with my surgeon, but I'm curious if anyone else has experienced this issue before their surgery.
KDP3099
Nov 24, 2024 1:20 pm
AL77
Nov 24, 2024 1:31 pm
Hi,
I had loop ileostomy surgery last month. After the surgery, my surgeon told me that I had some stool in my J-pouch. It didn't affect the surgery; he said everything went well.
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Posted by: Karen & Stella
Fay,
I am one of those few people who still have a lot of output at night. However, I suffer from short gut syndrome after seven bowel surgeries that led to the loss of much of my small intestine as well as my large intestine from the initial bowel cancer surgery. It does get better over time as your system adjusts, but an ileostomy can be a challenging adjustment. It's important to connect with a good Enterostomal Nurse - ET nurses who can help you problem-solve over time. It's been five years since my initial surgery, and I had a great visit with a new ET nurse in December. He really helped me with the problem of high output at night. I had been getting up every 90-120 minutes to empty my high output bag because of filling. If I slept for three hours without emptying, I would have problems. My ET nurse helped my husband and me make a nighttime collection system using a Rubbermaid juice container with a handle and my old CPAP hose. This is connected to one of my two-piece high output bags and allows for continual drainage. It isn't pretty, but it has been a real lifesaver. I guess the real message I want to share is to stick with it, find a nurse who you can work with, and together you will find solutions to whatever challenges you face. This website is also an important support for me and others. There is nothing you will go through that others haven't already faced and figured out. There is so much wisdom here. Read the materials they've put together for newbies. There are a lot of great suggestions to use. I hope things get better quickly for you.
Karen
I am one of those few people who still have a lot of output at night. However, I suffer from short gut syndrome after seven bowel surgeries that led to the loss of much of my small intestine as well as my large intestine from the initial bowel cancer surgery. It does get better over time as your system adjusts, but an ileostomy can be a challenging adjustment. It's important to connect with a good Enterostomal Nurse - ET nurses who can help you problem-solve over time. It's been five years since my initial surgery, and I had a great visit with a new ET nurse in December. He really helped me with the problem of high output at night. I had been getting up every 90-120 minutes to empty my high output bag because of filling. If I slept for three hours without emptying, I would have problems. My ET nurse helped my husband and me make a nighttime collection system using a Rubbermaid juice container with a handle and my old CPAP hose. This is connected to one of my two-piece high output bags and allows for continual drainage. It isn't pretty, but it has been a real lifesaver. I guess the real message I want to share is to stick with it, find a nurse who you can work with, and together you will find solutions to whatever challenges you face. This website is also an important support for me and others. There is nothing you will go through that others haven't already faced and figured out. There is so much wisdom here. Read the materials they've put together for newbies. There are a lot of great suggestions to use. I hope things get better quickly for you.
Karen
warrior
Nov 24, 2024 2:15 pm
Yes. If you aren't clean enough down there, they prep you. Don't worry about it. You may not even need irrigation.
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Beachboy
Nov 24, 2024 3:11 pm
Hello,
I had emergency exploratory surgery. No prep, no ostomy location marking. I didn't even fill out consent paperwork.
Surgery was long, but successful. Reading my post-surgical report, lots of stool was cleaned out by the surgeon.
Past Member
Nov 24, 2024 3:53 pm
I am a bit confused... When you're cleaning out your system and take a bowel prep, which your doctor should have given you, you will have diarrhea. You're supposed to; it's breaking it up and clearing you out.
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KDP3099
Nov 24, 2024 4:56 pm
I have colon inertia and colon motility issues. When I take laxatives of any sort, they usually don’t produce a lot of stool or any at all.
SusanT
Nov 24, 2024 6:56 pm
Before my colonoscopy surgery, I did a bowel prep that failed. I had active diarrhea at the time I was being prepped for surgery. I was terrified that they would postpone the surgery. But the surgeon told me it would be OK and they proceeded with the surgery. Do the best you can; it will be fine.
Past Member
Nov 24, 2024 10:06 pm
I understand that one all too well; I have been there. The best advice is to take the prep they told you about or gave you, and take your prep earlier than what they say, and drink lots of water with it. Whatever your body will allow in this situation comes out. Did they give you a prep? In this case, it should have been this gallon you pick up from the pharmacy.
KDP3099
Nov 25, 2024 11:57 am
I have prep instructions that don’t require a prescription for the polyethylene glycol (PEG)-based laxative. My plan includes Gatorade, Miralax, and Dulcolax, which I already have on hand.
I intended to start earlier than advised, as you suggested. Since I'm not currently eating many hard-to-digest foods, I anticipate that the cleanout will be easier.
SusanT
Nov 25, 2024 5:18 pm
That's the prep I used when it failed. Definitely start early. Good luck.
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