Hey Reggie, 

How far out does it go when it prolapses? 

Does it happen when you're straining or just any time? 

Hi Eric, ususally it is between an inch to 3 inches if I don't catch it and push it in.   It definitely wants to come out when I play golf.  I wear an OstomySecrets wrap and it helps but when playing it ends up prolapsing and getting "squished" like a smashed dinner roll, ha ha!  I get a little disturbed by it more at night, as it can prolapse if I am on my side sleeping.  On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being awfully disturbing, most days it is a 5.   Just wondering if the folks with loop colostomies experience prolapse more than the folks with end ileostomies or end colostomies. :-) 

Eric, Prolapse stomas, ---  do Colostomies get these more often than ilieostmies? And why do they happen?  why why why ??????? 

Is one more prone to these from the start?  Or can they just happen after years?  

Reggie, sounds like you have a regular prolapse stoma going on.. Did the Dr. say how this happened?  And when you get one how does it feel? and what do u do for it? Take off the pouching system and let her rip? :-)  How long does it take for this to go back to normal size or does it?? 

Your something, going off and playing gold with this.. Get a hole in one for yourself with all this abuse you going through!! :-))) Marcie

Posted by: Reggie Jones

Just wondering if the folks with loop colostomies experience prolapse more than the folks with end ileostomies or end colostomies. :-) 

Here's what a study says about that :

"A loop stoma poses a greater risk of prolapse than an end stoma. Loop colostomy is more prone to prolapse than is ileostomy. Prolapse rates ranging between 3 and 42% have been reported. Immediate postoperative stomal prolapse is very rare."

SOURCE : https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2924969/

From what I know speaking with patients  had a prolapsed stoma, their surgeon usually doesn't want to do anything unless it's really problematic. 

Hello Reggie,

Almost four years ago I had a loop ileostomy for four weeks and towards the end of this period, I could see that it was coming out slightly.  It didn't matter then as it was going to be reversed.  When I decided to have an end ileostomy a few years ago, my consultant surgeon in the UK refused to operate me saying that since I was (and still am) very thin, I did not have enough strong muscles to support my stoma and therefore had high risks of developing a prolapse as well as a hernia.  So I went back to the same surgeon in Japan last year (five months ago) asking whether there would be a way for me to avoid a prolapse or a hernia.  As far as I know, my Japanese surgeon created my end ileostomy through the 'peritoneum' (I don't know whether this is the right word but this is supposed to be the word for what it is in Japanese) and did some (though not extensively) extra stitches to make certain that I would not have a prolapse.  When I was in hospital due to a possible blockage a few months ago, the nurse who inserted a long thin tube from my stoma commented that the tube went sideways under my skin rather than deeper straight down. 

My stoma is tiny (about 19 mm in both diameter and height), so it's difficult for me to imagine what it's like to have a stoma that can extend up to 3 inches.  This may be fine and you may not need to do anything at least immediately but you may want to receive some advice from your surgeon or stoma nurse.

best wishes and good luck!

kiya

Hi everyone, and thanks for chiming in.  My stoma has had a propensity to prolapse if left "untethered" by a wrap.  3" is the extreme, but usually because I notice it and push it in.  I went to may surgeon for follow up, and while the appliance was off and the stoma was in a prolapsed condition he simply took his finger and jammed it in my belly!  I was a little shocked but it illustrated the characteristics of a loop colostomy having a high incidence of prolapse.   When I play golf I am usually pushing it back in after every shot.  It is a bother, as when it comes out it looks like a squashed ball!  It sort of spreads out, but so far no significant damage other than the inconvenience.  Just wondered if others deal with it similar to my experience.  If they ever decide to remove my rectum or entire colon I am betting prolapse won't be such an issue.  Thanks to all who have chimed in!