This topic is about preparing for a colonoscopy when you have a new colostomy. After undergoing emergency surgery, the person now has a temporary colostomy and needs a colonoscopy to check the remaining part of their colon. They received standard preparation instructions but were unsure if these were suitable for someone with a stoma. Here are some insights and advice shared by others who have been in similar situations:

- Standard preparation often includes a clear-liquid diet the day before, drinking magnesium citrate, and taking a Fleet enema. However, for stoma patients, a clear-liquid diet might be sufficient.
- Some people with a stoma have been advised to use Colyte, a polyethylene glycol solution, without an enema. This involves drinking a glass every 10 minutes.
- Others have used a "split prep," taking half the solution the night before and the other half the morning of the procedure, again without an enema.
- For some, drinking 1-2 bottles of magnesium citrate was enough, and they experienced no leakage when using paste around the stoma and a flat pouch.
- Many have noted that enemas are not necessary for stoma patients since there's no place to administer them, and they might even be risky.
- If bowel prep is challenging, alternative imaging methods like CT colonography might be an option.
- On prep day, secure the pouch well using paste or a barrier ring with a flat wafer. An elastic wrap can help keep the pouch stable and the stoma accessible.
- Expect very liquid output during prep, so be prepared to empty the pouch frequently and protect the skin around the stoma.
- It's common to feel fullness, cramps, or the urge to move bowels due to mucus buildup in the unused rectum. A glycerin suppository or gentle enema might help if mucus doesn't pass naturally.
- The colonoscopy procedure, with the scope inserted through the stoma, is usually quick, and patients often find themselves awake and alert soon after.