I have questionas about having a bag

[cleuger]

Ok so im learning here trying to unload my depression and anxiety using that energy to be more productive so Im trying to learn more about resections and having a bag. This is going to be my life I want to know more how to manage it. I go tomorrow for my evaluation with the surgeon. I would imagine they will schedule the surgery. One of my questions is if you have a Stoma and you poo in the bag do you still poo from the bottom also?
How long did it take you to eat solid foods? did you find that having the resection surgery helped you gain weight again? Can people tell if you have a bag or not?

Thanks in advance
Cindy

 

[DJW]

I've had one since 19. Now 48.

If they leave the rectum in it is normal to pass mucus out of it. Other than that everything goes into the bag.

I was on solid food before I left the hospital. (5-7 days in hospital)

I had surgery a year ago last May. I had a very bad obstruction. Post surgery I gained weight with no problem. I need to exercise or my weight would just go up.

Honestly, the thought of having one is tougher than actually having one. It takes time to get used to it. But it gave me my life back.

Ask lots of questions.

 

[UnXmas]

One of my questions is if you have a Stoma and you poo in the bag do you still poo from the bottom also?

I don't. My first ileostomy, was a loop ileostomy. I didn't pass anything rectally, besides the waste that was left over in my rectum a couple of days after surgery (which is normal). Then, after several months, my stoma retracted (collapsed inward back into my stomach). Immediately after this happened, I started passing wind rectally again, and then stool - and I knew right away this was very wrong. I quickly had surgery again.

My new ileostomy is an end ileostomy, and as far as I know, it's now impossible for me to pass anything rectally - no stool and no gas - as my rectum no longer connects to the higher parts of my digestive tract.

So it will depend on the type of stoma you have, but no, you shouldn't pass anything rectally, though with a loop ileostomy you may occasionally pass something, which is apparently normal for some people - mucus may build up and need to be passed sometimes. With an end ileostomy you can't pass anything. I'm not sure about colostomies, but I'm assuming you shouldn't pass much rectally then either - it would kind of defeat the point of a stoma if you did.

How long did it take you to eat solid food

I was eating it the evening of the day I had the surgery, both times.

did you find that having the resection surgery helped you gain weight again?

No, unfortunately. And I lost a lot of weight due to complications after my first ileostomy surgery.

Can people tell if you have a bag or not?

Sometimes. Occasionally my bags blows up with gas, and the bulge is pretty visible. If it bothers you, you can probably experiment with different clothes to find which covers it best. I don't mind people seeing or knowing about my stoma. The fart noises it makes can embarrass me, but that's because people will think I'm farting. If they knew it was the stoma and not me, I wouldn't be embarrassed! (Stomas make fart noises, but there's no smell with them.)

 

[cleuger]

Here's where the damaged colon is and where my gastro recommended it be resected from. On my left side colon from just 3 inch's from the belly buttoned belly button down to the rectum. everything thing on the right side is healthier as is the small intestines with only small amount of inflammation there. So I'm guessing the whole left side of colon and part of rectum. Ill know more today, I meet with the surgeon today. Not looking forward to the 3 hour drive. I just want to know all I can about what my future will be with this. Well I cant afford to loose anymore weight. I only weigh 98 pounds. cant they give me something to gain weight? I was hoping to eat better after the surgery then maybe I might put some weight on. I just want to get this over with I'm have surgery anxiety. That sucks about the Stoma farting I work in a quite office. Maybe he can put me in the back away from the others. Thanks for your response.

 

[nogutsnoglory]

You can conceal the bag easily under the clothes. Nobody would have a clue you have one because people can't conceive of that kind of thing unless you tell them.

Mostly people poop in the bag but some do find some poop gets to their rectum but generally it's only mucus. I think those with a loop ostomy may find some stool.

 

[cleuger]

I'll come back after I see the surgeon today and let you guys know what kind of surgery their going to do maybe someone can help me out and let me know what their experience was and what to expect. Is it normal just to want to hurry up and get it over with. I know for me it's not a if it's going to happen it's more of a when and I know this. I just am worried about the surgery but also the after surgery with the bag and all.

Thanks
Cindy

 

[vonfunk]

I echo the same sentiments as everyone else. Periodic mucus from the rectum, was eating food a couple of days after surgery, no weight gain, I lost additional weight post-surgery due to lack of appetite but it evened out, bag is noticeable depending on how full & the outfit I'm wearing.

 

[cleuger]

Well the surgeon is admitting me tonight she wants to see if I need surgery right away or it it's something that can wait. I'm at the cleand clinic in Weston it's near Fort Lauderdale. She says she really need to know what she's dealing with so they may do a scope and another ft scan. I'm scared you guys and I'm here alone I live 3 1/2 hours from here I have nobody down here this stinks somebody please tell me it's going to be ok I've already had meltdown on the nurses

 

[DJW]

Sorry your going through this alone. Sending you my support. We're here for you.

 

[cleuger]

Thank you so much you have no idea how much that means to me.

 

[InkyStinky]

:hug: :ghug: :hug:

I'm so sorry you are so far away from home. I've never had IBD surgery, but I hope that yours is just what you need to get you on the way to remission!

 

[cleuger]

Thank you so much but I am scared they have me on a bowel rest right now which I have been on several in the past so I kind of knew it would happan I've never had a bowel resection before on had an abdominal abscess removed surgically

 

[UnXmas]

That sucks about the Stoma farting I work in a quite office. Maybe he can put me in the back away from the others. Thanks for your response.

Don't worry about it too much. Mine actually doesn't make noises much at all - it will often go a whole day without making one. It was just on my mind lately because my stoma was making terrible noises the other day, but that's abnormal for me, and then my stoma prolapsed (which it's never done before - it's the effect of all the food they're giving me in hospital). When my stomach's behaving normally (as normal as it does for me), there are no noises. It's only when something's upset it - when I've had to take laxative for a prep; all the food and meds they've been giving me in hospital; when I'm getting over a blockage - that it makes those noises.

The other day my dad came to visit and we went to the hospital "multi-faith space". There were Muslims in there praying, so I put my phone on silent and we crept in to read the prayer books. Then my stoma made a massive fart noise. The Muslims (who were doctors) started laughing. :tongue: It was actually pretty funny... obviously it could have gone the other way and been mortifying, but luckily doctors understand that patients don't have much control over bodily functions.

 

[UnXmas]

I know how you feel. I'm stuck in hospital now also. It may be a good thing if they can get the surgery over and done with quickly. Post any questions you have - there are lots of things you can do to make the recovery go easier, so post if you have any problems.

 

[cleuger]

Thank you for your response. I didn't know they could prolapse that's good information to know. The story u told about what happened to you. I would be mortified but of all places to let loose doesn't it always happan that way lol

 

[DJW]

Mine makes very little noise. Some foods are worse than others.

 

[UnXmas]

Thank you for your response. I didn't know they could prolapse that's good information to know. The story u told about what happened to you. I would be mortified but of all places to let loose doesn't it always happan that way lol

If it makes a fart noise in an embarrassing situation, just say, "it's not me, it's my stoma." Either they'll know what a stoma is, and understand you have major digestive issues, or (more likely), they'll have no idea, and ask you what a stoma is. Once you've explained, they'll also understand you must have major digestive issues, which stops it being embarrassing, because, while people will laugh at others for farting, they usually won't laugh at people for having a serious illness.

 

[DJW]

Hi. Checking in to see how your day went. I hope you sleep well tonight.

 

[cleuger]

Thank you so much today I had a ct scan and they put me on TPN which I always gladly welcome. Tomorrow morning they are doing a scope. One of the colan rectal surgeons that's on the team has been watching me since they admitted me yesterday she reviewed the ct scan she said I had one stricture and sever connecting fistula connecting from my large bowel to my small bowel. She seems to tonk they will not be doing surgery that they will try to treat this with a different biologic since I have only ever been on one and that's Cimzia I've never had any of the others. That's very kind of yu to check on me thank you I've only have a few mino meltdowns today one while I was in the ct scan not because of the scan I've had those in the past but because on just being alone down here I'm not a fan of Fort Lauderdale at all to close to Miami I hate Miami but this is where they wanted me to come so here i am. Thanks to you and everyone on for helping me through this I guess we'll see what they decide after the scope tomorrow. : )