This topic is about someone who is recovering from surgery and is concerned because their stoma, which initially worked, has stopped producing output. They have had a nasogastric (NG) tube in place for 10 days and are worried about whether their bowel will start functioning again soon.

Here are some helpful pieces of advice and insights shared by others:

1. Continue with activities that encourage bowel movement, such as walking frequently, chewing gum, and sucking on ice chips. These actions are often recommended by surgeons and have helped others in similar situations.

2. Be aware of possible obstructions or ileus:
- After surgery, ileostomies can swell and temporarily block output. A soft Robinson catheter might help relieve this blockage.
- For those with a colostomy, it’s important to check for small-bowel obstructions elsewhere.
- A prolonged ileus, which is when the bowel doesn’t wake up, can happen but is less common. It’s important to have close monitoring by the surgical team.

3. Understand the role of the NG tube:
- Although it can be uncomfortable, the NG tube helps prevent bile build-up, reduces vomiting, and allows time for the gut to start moving again. Some patients find it so helpful that they request it for future surgeries.

4. Do not leave the hospital until the stoma is clearly working:
- Look for signs like passing gas, bile, or stool through the appliance, and being able to tolerate liquids.
- Some people have been discharged too early, only to experience vomiting at home and require emergency readmission or even another surgery.

5. Recovery times can vary greatly:
- Some people see reliable output return in as little as 3 days, while for others it can take over 14 days.
- In one case, a person’s first ileostomy never started working, and surgeons had to create a second, functioning stoma.

6. Keep in constant communication with your surgical team, as their guidance is crucial. While advice from the internet can be helpful, it should not replace professional medical advice.

7. Remember that others have experienced similar challenges with prolonged inactivity and NG tube discomfort. It generally resolves over time, and staying in the hospital now can help prevent bigger issues later on.