Had my bag fitted last week.
Today I sat down on the toilet and actually pooed. It was actual feces, not the mucus. My bag is fully operational, or so I thought, and I am not experiencing any actual pain other than the expected recovery from the surgery.
I'm unsure if this is normal. I feel a bit silly asking, but should I be concerned? I'm worried in case it means the bag isn't working as expected.
Like I said, I only had the bag fitted last week, so maybe I'm just overthinking it.
That is normal, left over from being left in your colon. At least you were over the toilet. I was in the hospital bed and thought I had to pass gas. Now that is embarrassing, but the nurses and surgeon assured me it was normal.
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Hi Hatlady and all,
I've had my ostomy for over 50 years, since I was a kid, and didn't think I really needed to be part of the ostomy site. But once active, I came to realize, that although I may not need help at the time, I was able to reach out and help others in need. Back in the day, before stoma therapists, I use to visit new patients in the hospital or homes ... While professionals are great, it is also good to be able to speak with people with personal experience. I was a free member for awhile, but after writing often, I was given free months. I then started paying, and decided to just take lifetime membership. After all, I was going to have my ostomy for the rest of my life. I'm one of those people who can disappear for a few months at a time, but I'm always glad that the site is here, I can return and reconnect with old friends, and make new ones. This is an excellent site ... Best regards to all ... and Best wishes for a Healthy and Happy New Year.
My first question would be this: After your surgery, did they give you an enema to try and clean your bowel out?
It may be that you weren't able to clean out your entire system, and that you have managed to get it all to come out. This is all quite normal. From now on, if you have a rectal stump (I have an end ileostomy with a 4 cm rectal stump), you will probably experience that now and then. You will probably have to empty this out when it fills with mucus and sloughed-off parts of the lining - at least that is how it was explained to me.
I hope that you feel better; look after yourself.
Gracie