Post-op Step 2 Bleeding - UPDATE

I am 6 days post-op from my step 2 (pouch creation with loop ileo). I had some bleeding from the back end in the hospital (bright red), but it was not too much and it went away. I just went to the washroom and it is bleeding again - not too much, but bright red.

Any thoughts? Is this a normal thing?

Yes, a small amount of blood right after surgery is normal. If the amount of blood increases very much or if it continues daily for too long, give your WOC nurse a call. Different people also pass different amounts of mucous as well, so don't be surprised when stuff starts coming out. Mine was hardly anything at first, and it looked like the same type of reddish fluid that was coming out of my JP drainage tube. Then over the weeks it turned milky clear and started coming a lot so that I was passing a good "handful" of mucous almost every time I sat down to urinate... and eventually a couple weeks before my step two, I had some bright red blood. You may even see other colors or *gasp* a bit of food since it is possible for the loop ileo to pass tiny amounts of food or waste through to the j-pouch... All of this is normal and no cause for worry, but if you ever are concerned and want peace of mind, just call your nurse - that's what they are there for!

My surgeon warned me of both blood and possibly some poop that may not have made it to the "end stoma" I had before surgery but past the loop stoma he created in surgery. I found out my loop is 2 feet up from my pouch. So there could have been poop in those two feet.

I've also had a few leakage issues. They were when I was asleep. Both my surgeon and people on this board told me that was okay. Sure you hear about it after take down but it has happened to me 4 times in the 8 weeks since they created my jpouch. Take down for me is scheduled Feb 19th.

Good Luck!

Clots really wouldn't surprise me so much considering how the pouch is made. I would mention to the doctor like you are planning to be safe. No one mentioned clots to me specifically but considering.... I wouldn't worry too much...

I wouldn't worry too much but do keep your surgeon informed about it with a phone call. Good rule of thumb is if in doubt, give them a call.