Normal Stool Post Ostomy Surgery

After an ostomy, usually part of your large intestine or the small intestine are pulled out, and a stoma is created.  Usually, an appliance is put there to get the stool out of there. Ostomy surgery is scary for many, but it also is life-saving, since it can help you pass stool. Usually, you wear an ostomy appliance called a bag or pouch, in a variety of shapes, colors, and sizes to accommodate your lifestyles. They usually are odor-proof and won’t smell unless there’s a leak and the appliance has to be changed. But what about the stool afterwards? How will it be?  Well, read on to find out. 

Stool after a colostomy 

During colostomies, large parts of the large intestine or even the rectum is taken out, and part of the intestines get pulled through an opening, and then, the stool leaves the body there. The colostomy bag is then placed to collect the stool.  Usually, this is from the point where the small intestine goes towards the large intestine. There are different types of colostomies available. 

The consistency of this varies. Those who have a colostomy will not control the bowel movement and when it’s pushed through the stoma, so you’ll need to possibly empty this a few times a day.  The more the large intestine is kept, the more formed your stools will be. 

Stools after Ileostomy 

After an ileostomy, the colon is partially or completely removed, and a stoma is created. With no large intestine at this point to absorb the water, you now have thinner stool. As the body adapts and the small intestine absorbs the water, there may be a chance that it’ll thicken up. The output will also be higher too after an ileostomy, and if part of your small intestine does get removed, it does impact the output, making it more watery and the output changing as well. 

The consistency definitely changes as well in some cases. Without the colon, foods don’t get broken down like how they normally would, especially veggies and fruits. This may be expected, but it’s a problem if you’re struggling to absorb the nutrients, based on what your physician says. 

Stools loose 

Another problem that may happen is that there might be a sudden output increase, which means diarrhea, and for many people, diarrhea from routine illnesses that are vial do impact a person especially after an ileostomy, especially if they’re not getting enough fluids. It might be challenging to know when you should see your doctor about this, but usually, being unable to keep up with the loss of fluid is a sign to talk to someone. 

It also might happen that you need to have more potassium and sodium, so you should try to eat more foods with this and have more higher sodium foods too. In some cases, you may need IV treatment as well, especially if you have a chronic condition. 

The color might also change as well. Foods that are brighter or natural may also change the color of the stool. Some may forget when they’ve eaten food, including beets and the like, and their stool may be a bright red color. With an ostomy, you may want to keep track of the types of foods that you have, and if you know that there is something that’s bothering you, you might want to change your plan for eating. It’s also recommended that you also keep a food diary of the different kinds of foods that you’re eating, so that also, if you struggle with this, it can help.