This topic is about concerns that can arise after having a colonoscopy, especially for someone with a colostomy. The person who shared their experience noticed some unexpected symptoms after their procedure, such as dark, watery output from their colostomy and rectal bleeding. They are curious about whether the rectum is usually checked during a colonoscopy for someone with a colostomy. Here are some helpful pieces of advice and insights for anyone in a similar situation:

1. It's important to reach out to the endoscopy unit, hospital nurse line, or the doctor who performed the colonoscopy as soon as possible. Any bleeding after the procedure should be reported to a healthcare professional.

2. Some bleeding might happen if the scope causes minor trauma or if biopsies were taken during the procedure. While small amounts of spotting can be normal, bright-red blood or larger amounts should be addressed immediately by a medical professional.

3. During a colonoscopy for someone with a colostomy, the rectum and sigmoid colon are usually examined. This means that minor bleeding from these areas after the procedure is possible.

4. For those with colostomies, it's common to have little or no output until the day after a complete bowel prep. However, if you notice dark output immediately after the procedure, it's less typical and should be discussed with medical staff.