Choosing Between Ileostomy and Colostomy: Seeking Advice

Hi Guys ........



It looks like I will need to make a decision before long as to whether to have an ileostomy or a colostomy which I will have to have for the rest of my life .....(currently have an ileo...)  I am fortunate enough NOT to actually have any 'bowel problems' per se as do many of you, but wondered if anyone out there had any experience of having both? What are the pros and cons, which is the easiest to manage etc etc....  Also whether or not to have my rectum removed? How does that feel? Would be grateful for any advice/info from you who actually know on which to base my decision! Choices, choices, how exciting it is to decide which bag of s**t to have!! Looking forward to some interesting replies ........ Rachel x

First of all I have empathy for your situation. My opinion is based on my own iliostomy and my brother who has colonoscopy. The things he can do make me envious. Like taking his old sweet time changing appliances and can even lay on top of the bed and just letting his stoma catch the breezes, doesn't worry about bending over and blowing the damn thing off like I have to do because his stoma is much lower than mine. Just something to think about. I'm sure you'll get much better information from some of the other members.

I'll be checking up on you to see how you do. Best Wishes. Ed

Hi Rachel.  I had an ileostomy done in Feb 07. due to rectal cancer.  It was to be temporary but all that changed and in May of 07 I had to have my rectum removed and a permanent colostomy done.  First off, the removal of my rectum has not caused me any problems.  Most of the time, it feels normal.  But, if I try to be superwoman, I will feel a pulling in there and it may leave me feeling as if something is in my rectum for a while, but that has only been for a brief time and then it goes back to feeling normal again.

Of the two, ileostomy or colostomy........definently colostomy would be my choice.  With the ileostomy, I had to be very careful of what I ate and very careful to drink enough fluids.  The output was liquidy for me.  With my colostomy being the way it is, retracted, I have had a lot of leakage problems but in March, I started irrigating and I no longer have to deal with that.  Irrigating has been a hugh freedom for me.  It's time consuming but when I am finished with it, I just put a stoma cap on and go on my merry little way.  I tell you this, to let you know that if you do go with the colostomy, that may be an option for you too.  But with an ileostomyyou cannot irrigate.  As with the ileostomy, you still have to be careful to get enough fluids in your body.  

This is what has worked for me and hopefully Rachel, you can get enough feedback to make the right choice for yourself.  I wish you the very best with whatever that choice is.

Debi

I had my rectum along with everything else removed in June of this yr. It does feel a little weird and I still sit on a donut cause my tail bone hurts if I dont. I have two bags..they keep me busy. Hate em buy that is part of my life now. They put a flap where your rectum used to be, it feels funnny I have been thinking I might get a mirror and just look at it to see what it looks like. It sure is different. Good luck with yours. Jeanie

lol....i did just that...!!!

🔒 Login to see image

Stories of Living Life to the Fullest from Ostomy Advocates I Hollister

lol....i did just that...!!!

🔒 Login to see image

     


and..........? x

You can have your rectal stump removed and leave your anus alone it's usually less trouble than a barbie butt.

Gutenberg
Panther you raise a vexing question re: Barbie Butt. When I had my surgery, my doc seemed quite pleased with the fact that he had saved my rectum, I was not pleased because three months earlier I'd had no problem with either Ilium or colon but the surgery I had for an abdominal aorta aneurysm sure took care of all that, so now I have a rectum but no colon. That makes me so happy I could shit. I digress, why not leave the anus alone. any answers, anyone?

Gutenberg
Panther you raise a vexing question re: Barbie Butt. When I had my surgery, my doc seemed quite pleased with the fact that he had saved my rectum, I was not pleased because three months earlier I'd had no problem with either Ilium or colon but the surgery I had for an abdominal aorta aneurysm sure took care of all that, so now I have a rectum but no colon. That makes me so happy I could shit. I digress, why not leave the anus alone. any answers, anyone?      

I think I would rather leave it alone unless it is some medical necessity - after all I did wake up after surgery once and was told I had a new one - there wasn't anything wrong with the old one actually I didn't think - it wasn't in use, but it was mine. The new one ain't any better, still not in use etc. Suspect my old anus is sitting in a jar somewhere on a shelf  in Oxford and they're using it for some medical experiment or to train young doctors .... now that's a thought, ummmmmm...... can I claim royalties or something?

I think I would rather leave it alone unless it is some medical necessity - after all I did wake up after surgery once and was told I had a new one - there wasn't anything wrong with the old one actually I didn't think - it wasn't in use, but it was mine. The new one ain't any better, still not in use etc. Suspect my old anus is sitting in a jar somewhere on a shelf  in Oxford and they're using it for some medical experiment or to train young doctors .... now that's a thought, ummmmmm...... can I claim royalties or something?      

Lottagelady: I think you would have to have the jar and its contents patented==lawyers and all that shit and you'd land up going in the hole!!!!!!!!

🔒 Login to see image



🔒 Login to see image



🔒 Login to see image


Ed

I'll google 'patenting an anus' and see what comes up! I might have a case... that would give me something to focus on rather than whether to have an ileo or a colostomy (think colostomy is winning so far 2:0 ) xx

Gutenberg
Panther you raise a vexing question re: Barbie Butt. When I had my surgery, my doc seemed quite pleased with the fact that he had saved my rectum, I was not pleased because three months earlier I'd had no problem with either Ilium or colon but the surgery I had for an abdominal aorta aneurysm sure took care of all that, so now I have a rectum but no colon. That makes me so happy I could shit. I digress, why not leave the anus alone. any answers, anyone?      

I mean when you have a permanent ostomy having your rectal stump removed at the same time as theirs a risk of cancer. In the UK surgeons like to remove it within 10 years. Barbie Butt I know quite a few people  have  had problems with pain sitting down for a number of years after surgery. I had my stump removed about 18 years ago I just had pain sitting down for a few weeks.  I had my surgery for Familial Adenomatous Polyposis.  I didn't feel ill or have any bowel problems but if it had been left I would have got bowel cancer.

l had a temporary iliostomy for 3 months.  When it was determined that I would have more surgery my doctor said i could have a colostomy and that it was a superior result.  I have now had the colostomy for 3 months.  Truthfully for me, there isn't a huge difference.  My output is very loose as it was when the bag was on the right instead of the left.  There is less gas then when I had the right side bag.  I haven't explored irrigating which is something I think that could make a difference.  With the iliostomy I was told to be careful with my diet and with the colostomy I was told to eat what I want.  Hope this helps.  I guess the longer you can keep food in your colon the easier it is on the body.  Good luck.