Bowel Movements After Colostomy - Is It Normal?

I had a colostomy done last September, but in the last week, I have been having bowel movements through the rectum. Being new to that, I am wondering if this sometimes happens?

Thanks, Hawk

I don't believe that is normal. A little mucus-like discharge is normal if the rectum wasn't removed, but no stool should be present. I would seek professional advice on this one.

After my surgery colostomy, the doctor told me that at times there would be some discharge and at other times it would be light brown for a while, then it would be somewhat clear. This stuff is what makes your poop come out easily, your rectum normally has the body's lube for your poop the old way. Your body still makes it and it comes out at times. I get this maybe every other week for a day or two. I checked with the doctor and they say it is okay.

If you had surgery and could not be prepped (laxatives to clean out bowel) before surgery, you can pass stool. I had a patient that passed barium several years after his colostomy.

Eddie

Thanks for the input, today. I went to the emergency room where I had the surgery and by luck, the surgeon that performed the colostomy advised that the procedure was labeled wrong, and I had received a colostomy loop which bowel movements were okay. This made me a candidate for a reversal in the future. But only time will tell. Hawk

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I've recently been having the same thing happen to me. I have a loop colostomy. I thought there was something wrong, so I contacted a stoma nurse, but in fact, it's perfectly fine. It does sometimes happen, and as long as there's no blood or pain, it's nothing to worry about.

This was so helpful for me! Thank you! I'm 2 months post-op and had terrible constipation just recently for like 2 days. I expelled an alarming amount through my rectum after using an enema and cola. My oncologist said it was likely old stool from before the surgery, but I don't think so because of the color. So, this thread is validating for me. Thank you!! I just hope that never happens again. I've been on a low-fiber vegan diet for a few weeks now, which is a challenge, but that combined with stool softener and prune juice is really doing the trick.

Hi there, I had that same issue because I had a colostomy put on me in September 2023 due to a full blockage in my large bowel that got backed up in my small bowel. Everything was running fine for a couple of months after the surgery, during which I found out that my rectum had been sewn closed, which had caused a sharp sensation that felt like needles. I have tried to keep this area clean, but it just keeps annoying me. I have been to the stoma care nurse and asked her about what's going on. I was told it is perfectly normal to have rectal discharge after an operation of this nature.