Colostomy expectations

[CraigP]

I have finally scheduled my surgery for the colostomy on the 29th. My whole decision was about convenience… Eliminating most of the mess and fuss surrounding bowel programs. I had a question I thought I would ask the group.

Currently I am on a "every third day" program routine. It is accomplished with a laxative the prior night with a suppository that next morning. That usually gets things moving nicely. My bowels normally do not move without this routine (so I rarely have an involuntary). Many of us have experienced, you have days that the program is unsuccessful or produces less than perfect results. I guess my question is this… After my procedure should I expect regular daily output to occur naturally or is it likely that I will have to rely still on laxatives to facilitate bowel movements?

I know it sounds like a question I should have asked the Dr. but honestly, it doesn't matter too much. I'll just be glad to have eliminated the routine and mess of evacuating in my own bed.

Thank you all again for your advice and guidance.

Craig

[Patton57]

Originally Posted by CraigP

I have finally scheduled my surgery for the colostomy on the 29th. My whole decision was about convenience… Eliminating most of the mess and fuss surrounding bowel programs. I had a question I thought I would ask the group.

Currently I am on a "every third day" program routine. It is accomplished with a laxative the prior night with a suppository that next morning. That usually gets things moving nicely. My bowels normally do not move without this routine (so I rarely have an involuntary). Many of us have experienced, you have days that the program is unsuccessful or produces less than perfect results. I guess my question is this… After my procedure should I expect regular daily output to occur naturally or is it likely that I will have to rely still on laxatives to facilitate bowel movements?

I know it sounds like a question I should have asked the Dr. but honestly, it doesn't matter too much. I'll just be glad to have eliminated the routine and mess of evacuating in my own bed.

Thank you all again for your advice and guidance.

Craig

You shouldn't need a laxative. The colostomy will make things a lot more predictable. I'm a c7 complete, 23+ yrs post sci and 18+ yrs with a colostomy.

[SCI-Nurse]

I would suggest doing a search on our forums with the term "colostomy". You will find many previous stories about this.

I agree that you may not need any stimulant after a colostomy. I hope that an ostomy nurse provides teaching for you prior to discharge also.

pbr

[Cowboys_Place]

I had my colostomy surgery one month ago and although I was somewhat apprehensive I can now say it was the best decision I made and everyone on here was very encouraging. . As for needing to use a laxative I was told to use a stool softener as needed so far things have been pretty regular but I'm only a month out. . Good luck in your surgery I'm sure you won't have any regrets

[RAFS_aux]

Originally Posted by Cowboys_Place

I had my colostomy surgery one month ago and although I was somewhat apprehensive I can now say it was the best decision I made and everyone on here was very encouraging. . As for needing to use a laxative I was told to use a stool softener as needed so far things have been pretty regular but I'm only a month out. . Good luck in your surgery I'm sure you won't have any regrets

Glad to hear that your happy with your decision to have colostomy surgery. I've had mine since 12/09 & I'm happy with it. I take 2 tablets of senna natural laxative once a day and 2 docusate gel caps a day also & make sure I drink a lot of water and eat roughage as well. Yes, I agree that every one on here was encouraging with me also. Mine is the reversible type so my rectum is still intact. Mine is called a loop colostomy. I didn't have to have the vertical abdominal incision during the surgery. Believe it or not I had no post op pain what so ever. I had to stay in the hospital for about a week post op to make sure it was working ok and I had to show that I could take care of it on my own at home.

[TheRainman]

Originally Posted by CraigP

I have finally scheduled my surgery for the colostomy on the 29th. My whole decision was about convenience… Eliminating most of the mess and fuss surrounding bowel programs. I had a question I thought I would ask the group.

Currently I am on a "every third day" program routine. It is accomplished with a laxative the prior night with a suppository that next morning. That usually gets things moving nicely. My bowels normally do not move without this routine (so I rarely have an involuntary). Many of us have experienced, you have days that the program is unsuccessful or produces less than perfect results. I guess my question is this… After my procedure should I expect regular daily output to occur naturally or is it likely that I will have to rely still on laxatives to facilitate bowel movements?

I know it sounds like a question I should have asked the Dr. but honestly, it doesn't matter too much. I'll just be glad to have eliminated the routine and mess of evacuating in my own bed.

Thank you all again for your advice and guidance.

Craig

I just got mine on sept 25th. Almost a month and I'm really glad I did. Made life a whole lot easier. When my crap starts looking to firm I eat a gran bar and it's seams to work. But it's been regular.

[RAFS_aux]

Originally Posted by CraigP

I have finally scheduled my surgery for the colostomy on the 29th. My whole decision was about convenience… Eliminating most of the mess and fuss surrounding bowel programs. I had a question I thought I would ask the group.

Currently I am on a "every third day" program routine. It is accomplished with a laxative the prior night with a suppository that next morning. That usually gets things moving nicely. My bowels normally do not move without this routine (so I rarely have an involuntary). Many of us have experienced, you have days that the program is unsuccessful or produces less than perfect results. I guess my question is this… After my procedure should I expect regular daily output to occur naturally or is it likely that I will have to rely still on laxatives to facilitate bowel movements?

I know it sounds like a question I should have asked the Dr. but honestly, it doesn't matter too much. I'll just be glad to have eliminated the routine and mess of evacuating in my own bed.

Thank you all again for your advice and guidance.

Craig

Craig glad to hear that you've scheduled your colostomy surgery for the 29th. I wish you the best during the surgery & also wish you a speedy recovery. Keep us all posted here on how your doing after you feel up to posting here post op. It will free up a lot of time to do other things w/o having a bowel care program taking up your time.

[Boompow]

I too am scheduling a colostomy soon. Though I'm over 10 years post injury, my bowels have been going down hill for about the last 2-3 years. I've gone from once every 3 days and am down to daily now and still have limited success even with softeners and lax. My BP has become the bane of my life...and the wife's too. Since I never really seem to fully empty, I'm in a constant bloated state which has gotten so bad I'm now having hell with my hemorrhoids which are kicking off my spasms and ADs...I've never went thru so many Procadia biters...ever.

As always, this forum is priceless when it comes to learning more about sci related ailments. I'm past the 'should I or shouldn't I' part...it's gonna happen, just trying to learn what to expect besides the obvious. Thanks for all the input!!

[offroaderswife]

I have the loop colostomy and love it. I irrigate and have more freedom than ever. Best decision of my SCI life.

[smashms]

All I can say is good luck and give you the UOAA.org website for info as I do not have a colostomy I have a Urostomy I too love mine it has given me life back since I was tied to either the house or to a foley bag and could not do anything anymore like swimming or water therapy since with the foley bag they considered me incontinent. That website has tons of great info and also a message board that you can ask questions on as well.