Diverting Loop Ileostomy with One Outlet?

I had a quick question. I had a diverting-loop ileostomy, but I only have one outlet (hole). I thought loop ileostomies always had two. Does anyone else have a loop ileostomy with one hole?

I don't, but I also thought you should have two holes.

IGGIE

So you have 1 or 2?

Mine is a straight ileostomy with just one hole, but I thought all loop ileostomies had two holes.

IGGIE

Hi J

I have a loop that used to have two holes, but one was closed for reasons I cannot remember; just one now.

Words of Encouragement from Ostomy Advocates I Hollister

I have a loop ileostomy, and there is a 'distal opening' at the base of my stoma skin level on the left. I actually thought I'd sprung a side leak when I noticed it. I think because I've been careful cleaning and not taking too long changing appliances, I didn't see it.

I have a permanent loop ileostomy. When I first got it, it was considered to be possibly temporary, as I already had a colostomy, and my surgeon wanted to see if I would do better with the ileo while keeping the option of going back if it wasn't successful. My stoma has a second hole at the bottom, but nothing has ever come out of it, even before it was made permanent. I think the surgeon probably closed it up during my last surgery.

Terry

Very normal. The proximal side, active side, sometimes kind of takes over and leaves your distal loop hidden underneath. From your view, looking down on it, you probably never see it. But if you gently probe with a pinky, you'll probably find it. It's also very normal to have some mucus discharge from it that you probably never noticed because it all goes into the same bag.
Some people have reported having a small, normal bowel movement weeks or months after surgery that can be caused by a full bag that forces stool into the distal end, essentially completing the loop. Pooping like normal. 😂 So if you ever see that, it is possible, and usually that's why.