I’m new so maybe my question has been asked before but… I got an ileostomy in 2020 because of colon cancer. It was supposed to be reversed in about 6 weeks but there were complications with the surgery and I still have it. About a year ago I started getting feces out of my anus, not often but a bother considering the ileo is still there and active. Is this common?
IGGIE
Dec 14, 2025 2:38 am
Yes it is common, your anus is releasing mucas which forms naturally. Have you had your total Colon removed?
Some people that have a permanent Ileostomy have their Anus removed giving them what's called a Barbie Butt.
This stops ongoing mucas problems and also eliminates any chance of rectal cancer.
Regards IGGIE
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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
Kyle
Dec 14, 2025 5:48 am
I have a loop colostomy and get mucus and stool sometimes. At first I was freaked out but checked on the internet and found out it was common. As long as the parts are there they keep working it seems.
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TJT6768
Dec 14, 2025 9:48 am
Hi. Yes, freaked me out too. It was mainly mucus though, very strong smell too it😖😖
Totally normal though.
Are they still going ahead with your reversal?
They told me it's could have mine reversed but as I have no large bowel that's makes the poo into a stool, everything could just be like diarrhoea.. 5 times a day maybe.. I told them no thanks, I'll stick to my ileostomy.
They have never mentioned removing my anus but if they offered i think I would have it done. 🤔
Best of luck to you
Tony
IGGIE
Dec 14, 2025 11:27 am
You don't have to wait for them, you can ask for it to be removed. That's what I did, after putting up with a J-Pouch and all it problems I said I want to go back to my Ileostomy and get my butt stitched up, and that's what I got, a Ken Butt. 100% better off.
Regards IGGIE
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Justbreathe
Dec 14, 2025 1:13 pm
Yep…some body parts (after an ileostomy) just refuse to give up the ghost. I had my emergency surgery 5+ years ago and was scheduled to have a reversal in 6 months. I opted out of that surgery. Thanks to this website’s participants, they answered this same question for me a few years ago as no doc ever mentioned this phenomenon…surprise, surprise…..I was under the impression my colon wanted its old job back so immediately seeked advice here, as you have done. Many thanks to these folks who continue to answer our questions and concerns in a timely manner and without hesitation in sharing information. Some sensitive and very personal questions are answered with no judgement. Also, I found the anonymity here makes this ostomy journey much more manageable…jb