ostomy_surgery discussions

New member/colostomy recipient (5/25/21) here. Hi!
My doc said that my remaining 4" of rectum would collect mucus. Shortly after I got home from the hospital, a blob of mucus landed in the toilet, but only that once.
Frequently, I have a powerful urge to eliminate normally from the rectum, but no means to do so. It feels like I'm going to soil my drawers, but nothing ever happens. Is this norm ...

Just left my surgeon's office. He said my emergency colostomy was due to diverticulitis, not ulcerative colitis or cancer, and it should be safe to reconnect me. I have already had an EKG by my primary care physician and it was clear. However, Dr. Carter still wants a release from my cardiologist. I have an appointment to have a colonoscopy through my stoma. When the release from the gastroent ...

Hiya everyone. I am soon to have surgery for ulcerative colitis. I'm just very confused about which surgical option to choose.
- I can either choose to have a total colectomy with removal of rectum and anus and have a permanent bag.
- I can have a j-pouch formed and have a temporary ileostomy while it heals and then have it reconnected later on.
- Or if undecided, they said they can leave the ...

I am a newbie and was wondering if anyone has a colostomy due to a rectovaginal fistula. I have had the colostomy since June 2007 and have tried on 4 different attempts to have the fistula corrected. In January, I am due to have another repair attempt using the gracilis muscle from my leg, then after recovery and if it holds, have the colostomy reversal along with a hernia repair. I am very ap ...

Hi, just joined this site, looking to chat with people in the same boat. I had an ileostomy 8 weeks ago and feel a little overwhelmed by everything at the moment. 65 female, married, 3 children, 6 grandchildren. Still working full time although I'm off sick at the moment. Love animals, have 3 dogs, and volunteer for rescues. Anyone who wants to chat?

I am looking for advice on what I can eat that won't go right through me. I had my ileostomy surgery 8 weeks ago and cannot seem to gain any weight. I have tried protein shakes with a banana, jelly beans, crackers, etc. I had lost over 40 pounds when I was sick and have only gained six pounds. Any suggestions would really help. Please and thank you.

I was born with Hirschsprung's disease. My first enema was at a week old. I would go as long as 4 weeks without a bowel movement. By the time I was 60, my colon had no nerve endings so the only way I could have a bowel movement was with laxatives and stool softeners. At 77, I was up to 8 laxatives and 5 stool softeners nightly, and that was just to have 1 movement. Then in the fall of 2020, so ...

Hello, I'm new to this site and I have been living with an ileostomy since
1978 due to severe ulcerative colitis. The question I have is after your (ileostomy only)
surgery, did you start to develop periodic bouts with depression and/or anxiety panic
episodes? Did your bouts require medication and for how long?
You see, after surgery I started experiencing anxiety and panic episodes on and off ...

I got diagnosed with a very tiny spot of cancer in my low colon in early March. Had surgery two weeks later. I begged the doctors, "No bag, please!! I can't deal with it. I already have enough on my shoulders without the headaches of a total life change, so to speak." They said they will do their best, no promises or guarantee not to get one. I prayed so hard for days for God to not let me hav ...

Hello,
I'm not sure if this is the correct section for this post, which may be more of a rant than a friendly post, so please let me know if it needs to be moved or removed. Thanks.
The following is my experience, or lack thereof, with colitis.
I'm currently nine weeks post-ileostomy surgery. It was emergency surgery for acute severe ulcerative colitis. I started university studying biomedical ...

Hi all, I am new to this site and I'm looking for advice and support. I was involved in a car crash 6 weeks ago and was rushed to hospital for surgery and woke up with a colostomy bag. This has shocked and scared the hell out of me, although the surgeon and doctors have said it's 100% reversible. But I have spent the last 6 weeks thinking about 'what if it's not reversible and I have this for ...

Hello, this is my first time leaving a little blog. I have had my ostomy for 1 1/2 years. I had an ileostomy for 3 years before. I guess my question is, how long does it take to get really comfortable with an ostomy? I am still having problems.

I am sorry, this is really me just rambling - I need to get it all out and have no clue how to.
A few weeks ago, I decided I will be making my ileostomy permanent. I was really comfortable with this until about 2 days ago. I had a bit of a freak out, I don't feel like I have anyone to really talk about it with - as no one I personally know has a bag or really understands what I am going throug ...

Hi, I am new to this site, but reading it now I wish I had joined months ago. I had a permanent colostomy done on 31/1/2011 due to a bowel to bladder fistula caused by severe diverticulitis. The trouble was that as I also have quite serious heart disease, the cardiologist wouldn't let them stop my blood thinners, so I was given all these dire warnings about how I might not survive as I could " ...

Good afternoon all. First, I'd like to say how much I appreciate this forum that you are all a part of. It's a tough subject to talk about, let alone find others who may be able to help. I'm scheduled for an ileoscopy/proctolectomy in early March. I know it will be life-changing for a 58-year-old set in his ways. However, after 16 years dealing with UC, I think I'm ready to try anything. I've ...