Colostomy Care: Managing Increased Bowel Movements with Fiber

Just looking if anyone has had this problem.   Within last month started taking fibre as was having leaky,watery bowel movement. Now stools better with fiber.  But after every meal i have normal bbowel movements.  Any help vhange my bag 2-3 ti es a day

Hi,

You don't say whether you have an ileostomy, or a colostomy.   Ileostomy generally means that the out put will be somewhat liquid, since you don't have a large intesting ( colon) that removes the fluid.   If you have a colosstomy, then the opening ( stoma) was made somewhere in the colon, which means that feces will be more solid, especially with more fiber.   With an ileostomy , you don't have to change the bag each time it fills us.   The more liquid feces, can just be emtied into the toilet bowl, if  you're using a pouch with the spout.   I have my ileostomy for more than 50+ years and I only change my wafe & pouch when needed or after 7 days, whichever comes first.   I empty the pouch 4-5 ( or more) times a day.....when I have to pee, or when there's too much in the pouch for it to lie flat.  Sometimes, the pouch just fills with air/ gas, so I just go to the rest room and let the air out through the spout.  Other people "burp" the bag, where it attaches to the flange.  If you're not wearing a 2 piece...it's more difficult & you'd have to change each time your pouch fills up.   I hope this answers your question.   Marsha

It's marsha again,

Just realized that you do have a colostomy.   If you want to regulate your output,  many people choose to irrigate, which gives you the opportunity to  empty your bowels at a specific time of day.    If you're having firm BM, then be aware that the pressure could actually push your wafer/ and pouch off  your belly.   If you reduce  the fiber,a dn the output is more liquid, you  can use a  one piece or two piece, with a spout, so you can easily empty it.  

I hope that clarifies things..

Marsha