This topic is about a person who has been living with a colostomy for five years and recently faced some health challenges. After undergoing emergency surgery for a small-bowel blockage and multiple hernia repairs, they developed a seroma, which is a pocket of fluid that can form after surgery. This was managed with a drain for over a month. However, after the drain was removed, they noticed large blood-like clots in their ostomy pouch, which understandably caused concern. They are seeking advice and wondering if others have experienced something similar.
Here are some helpful insights and advice for anyone in a similar situation:
1. It's important to seek immediate medical evaluation if you notice large or unusual clots in your ostomy pouch, as this could indicate serious internal bleeding.
2. If you can, try to get a referral to a specialist who has experience with ostomies, or consider traveling to a medical center that regularly deals with ostomy complications.
3. Pay attention to the color of the material in your pouch:
- Black or dark clots, especially if accompanied by bright-red streaks, suggest the presence of blood and should prompt an urgent call to your doctor.
4. Keep in mind that stool coated with blood can look like a clot. It's crucial to have a professional assess the situation to distinguish between the two.
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