A member asked:

Will i be able to control bowel movements after colostomy surgery?

5 doctors weighed in across 2 answers

Yes: Majority of the time you will be able to have bowel movements after colostomy. Rarely their might be a surgical issue that may decrease your bowel movements due to nerve impairment. It is also common to have some constipation after surgery due to anesthesia. If you do have constipation for a long time after surgery, consult your physician to get to the underlying cause.

Answered 3/21/2015

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Colostomy function: When surgery creates a colostomy, by definition, the colon is attached to an opening in the skin through which fecal material empties (generally into a colostomy bag). The volume & texture of stool can be modified by changing diet &/or using drugs that alter GI transit. However, there is no sphincter in the ostomy (as exists in the anal canal) so you can't will the ostomy to tighten & close off.

Answered 4/4/2018

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