Colostomy problem: Rectal discharge 18 months out

@sher99 I had mine in Feb 2026, 3 months later I had my first experience with leakage. I charted my surgeon and was told this is normal. I saw him today and discussed the issue again. He explained that I still have a rectum so sometimes mucus like substance will sometimes leak to that area, hence leakage. Was told not to worry unless it was happening frequently and large amounts. Hope this helps.

@amandaa
Hi i had my cancer removed from my cplon and a bag attatched all wrll with no problem untill a month ago when a anal discharge of a grey slimey liquid this is noe a daily event, no blood or pain just a problem with no control over wjen it happens

My surgery is 11 months out but I have had ongoing rectal discharge throughout the entire time, but it has never been watery. It’s more of a mucus.
I would suggest calling your doctors office to make sure it is nothing to be concerned about.

@delboy. It's probably mucus but you should have it checked out. I have a large mucus discharge which I cannot control. Sometimes it's grey. I need to expell it in between 7 and 21 days using an enema. It's been three years now. Needless to say...i hate it but nothing so far has helped.

I got my colostomy in April of 2017, I had my colostomy for 4 years before I started getting my discharge. Now it is everyday and worse in the morning. AND if I eat a lot of dairy products I get a lot of discharge. I have to wear a pad every day and some days I have to change them three or four times but if I stay away from dairy I get less discharge. I have not found a solution for the discharge but it is controllable with enema's in the morning and watching what I eat. I am always looking for help and answers.
I think I have about 4 inch stump of colon left and that is where the mucus glands are still active. In our colon before ostomy we have mucus glands that excrete mucus to help keep the flow of poo being discharged. But with the ostomy and the remainder of the colon that is left above the rectum the mucus can become active and cause the drainage.
I hate it and live with it because I don't want another surgery and get what they call a Barbie Butt. Which is where they remove your stump of a colon and sew up your rectum. I have read horror stories about this procedure so wont do it.

@katey122
I had surgery two years ago because of a bursted intestine and ended up with a colostomy bag decided not to have a reversal it sounded too risky. So now I will be with a colostomy bath for the rest of my life but I've adjusted.

@catbaloo76
I also have a colostomy bag and still working on getting used to it. It seems there is always some sort of problem. I’m going on a year the 5 th of this month.
I also am going to be living with it the rest of my life as it’s too dangerous for me to try to do a reversal.
But now I am dealing with a decent size Ostomy hernia That is starting to cause me problems.
Just gets so depressing sometimes.

@catbaloo76 I had the same thing happen to me over 2 years ago and decided not to have a reversal the Dr. Told me he would have to open me up again and said he may not be able to do it because of scar tissue and he said my age was against me and I lost so much weight that also was against me also he said he would have to connect my colon and would have to put my intestine out of my stomach for a month then would have to come back for surgery again ti re connect my intestine and just could not have another surgery ,I had to be opened up twice when my intestines bursted and almost died so just couldn't take a chance.

@catbaloo76
I had my colon removed and then a year later my rectum. During the time I had a rectum I still had discharge. They sewed me shut back there so now I don't have to sit on the stool anymore. Just empty the bag. I did not have any problems with rectum removal and still don't some 8 years later. Frankly, it was quite a relief. My rectum was removed because I had Ulcerative Colitis in it too and did not want to risk getting cancer there sometime done the line.

Hi there. I have had a permanent iliostomy for about five years. I had a Jpouch and that didn’t work out for me. Surgeon tried to close everything out, but with the scar tissue. It was too riskyHi there. I’ve had a permanent ileostomy for about five years. I had a J-pouch, but it didn’t work out for me. The surgeon tried to close everything, but the scar tissue made it too risky. So, I still have the rectal stump, and sometimes it gets really inflamed. I also have a lot of discharge, and sometimes there are accidents, so I wear a pad to sleep. There are some suppositories that could help, so I should mention it to the surgeon.. So I still have the rectal stump and sometimes it gets really inflamed. And I have a lot of discharge and sometimes there are accidents, so I do wear pad in to sleep. There are some suppositories that could help worth mentioning it to the surgeon.