Ileostomy vs. Colostomy: Surgery, Location, Recovery

Robert Burakoff, MD, MPH, is board-certified in gastroentrology. He is the vice chair for ambulatory services for the department of medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York, where he is also a professor. He was the founding editor and co-editor in chief of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases.

Ileostomy and colostomy are two types of ostomy surgery that treat diseases and conditions affecting the digestive system. Both include the creation of a stoma, by which a small piece of intestine is brought through the abdomen. An ostomy bag or a pouch is worn on the abdomen to collect stool as it leaves the body through the stoma.

However, there are some significant differences between an ileostomy and a colostomy. In a colostomy, the piece of intestine to form a stoma is from the large intestine (colon). In an ileostomy, the stoma is created from the small intestine.

This article will discuss ileostomy and colostomy, why you might need these surgeries, how they are performed, how they affect stool, recovery, and stoma and bag maintenance.

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Learning the terms surrounding colorectal surgeries is a key part of the process. Knowledge about the operation and how having a stoma will affect your body may help you adjust to the changes.

Asking questions when working with the colorectal surgeon, their staff, and an enterostomal therapy (ET) nurse is the best way to get good information.

A stoma is a part of the body that's brought outside of the skin. A stoma bag is worn over the stoma to collect waste or fluid, which in the case of an ileostomy or colostomy, would be stool. A stoma bag may also be called an ostomy appliance, a pouch, or a bag.

Ostomy surgery is a term for any of the operations that allow bodily waste or fluids (most commonly stool or urine) to leave the body. Any of these types of surgeries and their outcome is called an ostomy. This includes ileostomy, colostomy, and urostomy (which involves the urinary tract).

An ileostomy is when part of the small intestine is brought out through the abdomen. A colostomy is when part of the colon is used to create a stoma. They are similar in that they are both surgeries wherein stool leaves the body through a stoma.

The differences include:

There are several different reasons why there would be a need for either an ileostomy or a colostomy.

An ileostomy is placed either to bypass the colon or because the colon is removed (called a colectomy). This can be because of a problem with the colon.

Some of the diseases and conditions for which an ileostomy might be placed include:

An ileostomy may be permanent or temporary. When an ileostomy is temporary, another surgery might be done to restore the bowel, called a reversal. If the colon is intact and heals, the ileostomy might be reversed. This may occur in cases of some forms of cancer, obstructions, accidents, or injuries.

When the colon is removed entirely, the ileostomy may be permanent. This is usually true for Crohn's disease when treated with a colectomy and the placement of an ileostomy.

The ileostomy may be permanent or temporary in the case of FAP and ulcerative colitis. Sometimes this is the person's choice. Other times, it is due to the location and activity of the disease.

In FAP or ulcerative colitis, another procedure called a continent ostomy—ileorectal anastomosis (IRA) or ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA)—may be used. This is when the end of the small bowel is attached to the rectum or the anus.

An ileostomy might be temporary. After it is reversed, stool leaves the body through the anus (the bottom).

Ileostomy and colostomy refer to both the type of surgery used and the type of ostomy. The main differences between them are that in an ileostomy, the stoma is formed from the small intestine, and in a colostomy, the stoma is formed from the large intestine.

In a colostomy, part of the colon is removed or bypassed to allow it to heal.

Some of the diseases and conditions for which a colostomy might be placed include:

In some cases, a colostomy might be reversed, such as with an accident or injury, a fistula, diverticulitis, congenital conditions, or some types of cancer. After treatment or healing, a reversal to restore the colon might be possible.

When a colostomy is set up for Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, a reversal might also be possible, though in some situations, it may be permanent.

You should discuss for how long an ostomy may be needed and whether there's a possibility of a reversal with your colorectal surgeon and other healthcare providers. They should be able to help you understand the options and if there is a need for more surgery.

Both ileostomy and colostomy surgery are major procedures. They will include many steps in the lead-up to surgery and a hospital stay followed by recovery at home. You will also need to understand how to care for a stoma and change the ostomy bag.

During ileostomy surgery, a piece of the small intestine will be brought through the abdomen. The reason for the ileostomy will be an important factor in any additional parts of the surgery, such as removing the colon (colectomy) or a part of the small intestine.

Before ileostomy surgery, you will meet with your colorectal surgeon and ET nurse. This is to prepare for and understand what will take place during the surgery, decide on the placement of the stoma on the abdomen, and know the ins and outs of learning to start life with a stoma. The stoma is usually located on the lower right of the abdomen.

The length of the surgery, what medications are taken, how much time will be spent in the hospital, and what aftercare looks like will vary. Some of these will depend on whether the surgery is performed with a traditional large incision or laparoscopically, with several small incisions.

However, you can probably expect to be in the hospital for three to seven days and recovering at home for four to six weeks.

After surgery, there will be instructions for how to approach diet, exercise, work, school, and sexual activity in the first days and weeks at home. Some changes might be needed (such as a modified diet and lower activity level) until the bowel and body have begun to heal.

Healthcare providers should give you instructions on how to get back to regular activity and an expanded diet.

In colostomy surgery, a portion of the colon is brought through the abdomen to create a stoma. During the operation, parts of the large intestine might also be removed.

Similar to ileostomy surgery, the pre-surgical preparation will include meeting with a colorectal surgeon, ET nurse, and any other healthcare providers who have a role. This will be an important part of understanding the surgery and learning how to care for the surgical site and stoma. The stoma is usually located at the top of the stomach or the lower left of the abdomen.

A colostomy may be created with an open incision or laparoscopically, which uses smaller incisions. Laparoscopic surgery usually means less time in the hospital and possibly a shorter recovery time overall.

The post-surgical period will be one of learning about any needed diet changes and how to care for a stoma. A healthcare provider will give guidance and instructions on when to add more foods to your diet and increase activity levels.

The removal of part of the intestinal tract and/or the placement of a stoma will have an effect on the consistency of stool.

With an ileostomy, food waste is no longer passed through the colon. The colon absorbs water and a few nutrients. In bypassing that part of the intestinal tract, the stool will be more liquid. It will also be more acidic than stool that goes through a colon.

There is also no control over when stool leaves the body through the stoma. Peristalsis (the movement of the muscles in the small intestine) will push stool out of the stoma on its own.

There may be a high amount of stool leaving the body, especially in the first weeks after surgery. Drinking enough liquids during this time will be important as the body adjusts and learns to absorb more water without a colon. An ileostomy bag will need to be emptied several times a day.

Stool may change with the foods eaten. Your diet may affect smell, consistency, and color.

Stool through a stoma after a colostomy may be similar to what it was before the surgery. It will be more formed. However, it will depend on how high up the colostomy is placed. The more colon the stool passes through, the more formed it will be.

People with a colostomy will not have any control over when stool leaves the body through the stoma. However, the ostomy bag will generally need to be emptied fewer times a day than with an ileostomy.

Stool may change based on diet, but it may still be similar to having a colon. If not much of the colon is still intact, there may be more noticeable differences, and stool may be less formed and be more affected by diet in terms of color, consistency, and smell.

The recovery period for ostomy surgery will vary based on the reason for the surgery and whether it's an open surgery with a larger incision or laparoscopic. In most cases, there will be a hospital stay of at least a few days, followed by several weeks at home.

During the hospital stay, you are monitored for any adverse events from the surgery. At first, the diet may be only clear liquids. If the digestive system and the new stoma handle liquids well, the diet is advanced to full liquids, a modified low-fiber diet, then a standard diet.

In the hospital, you will also learn how to change your ostomy appliance in preparation for doing it at home. If there's a care partner who will help with the changes at home, it will also be useful for them to learn.

Before leaving the hospital, there should be clear instructions given on:

Diet after ostomy surgery is going to be individualized. However, in the beginning, the surgeon may recommend a diet of foods that are easier to digest. The diet should advance in stages, slowly adding foods and food groups to ensure the digestive system can handle them.

In the beginning, after surgery, some people may experience nausea or a lack of appetite. Advancing diet slowly may help in dealing with these symptoms.

Another part of life after ostomy surgery is the potential for bowel obstructions. You should speak to your healthcare provider about how to avoid blockages and what to do if one occurs.

Foods to avoid in the first days and weeks after ostomy surgery may include:

Some of the foods that may be allowed in the first days and weeks after surgery include:

An ostomy appliance will need changing every so often, usually every few days. A key part of caring for a stoma is ensuring the skin around the stoma (peristomal skin) remains healthy.

There are a variety of types of stoma bags, flanges, adhesives, pastes, and powders that are available to suit individual stomas. An ET nurse can be helpful in getting access to different supplies in order to try them and determine which will work best.

A stoma bag might refer to any of the appliances for the various types of ostomies (though ileostomy, colostomy, or urostomy are the major types). A colostomy bag is for a colostomy specifically.

There are not many differences between an ileostomy bag and a colostomy bag, but the terms are not interchangeable. An ileostomy and a colostomy are two different types of ostomy, and it's important for people to understand which surgery they have had and which type of stoma they need.

Some stomas are challenging. The skin around it may have creases or wrinkles. The stoma may protrude farther or be flush with the skin. There are more specialized supplies available to help solve these issues, and working with healthcare providers and ostomy supply companies is important.

With every bag change, it's a good idea to look at the stoma and the skin around it to ensure that everything looks healthy. In the beginning, the size of the stoma will change as the swelling from the surgery subsides. However, over time, the size should stabilize, and any changes should be discussed with a healthcare provider.

Depending on the reason for the surgery, there may be regular follow-up appointments needed with the surgeon, gastroenterologist, or another healthcare provider. It's important to ask about how often there should be touchpoints and when it may be necessary to get extra help with the stoma.

Check with a healthcare provider if there are any changes to the stoma or the surrounding skin. Pain, bloating, swelling, sores, unusual odors, or decreased or increased output from the stoma are all reasons to talk to a healthcare provider.

Vomiting or diarrhea that won't stop, or a stoma that prolapses (comes far out of the abdomen) are reasons to see a healthcare provider right away or to go to the emergency department.

Ostomy surgery can be life-saving. There will be an adjustment period to learning how to manage a new stoma, but getting help from healthcare providers and ostomy patient advocacy groups can help make the first days and months go smoother.

Ileostomy and colostomy are two types of surgery that treat conditions affecting the digestive system. For each, a stoma is created, in which a small piece of the intestine is brought through the abdomen. For an ileostomy, the small intestine forms the stoma, and for a colostomy, the large intestine does.

Stool is collected in a bag worn over the stoma. The stoma may be temporary and reversed, or permanent. The stool is more liquid and frequent with an ileostomy and more formed and less frequent with a colostomy.

Both are major surgeries that may be performed with a large incision or laparoscopy. A hospital stay of a few days and weeks of recovery at home is typical. After surgery, the diet slowly changes from a full liquid diet to include other foods.

You will be instructed on how to care for the stoma, change bags, and when to contact a healthcare provider for any concerns.

With an ileostomy, stool will leave the body when it reaches the stoma. People with an ileostomy don't have any conscious control over when the stool leaves the body or feel that they have to "go."

There may be an awareness of when stool is in the ileostomy bag because it will fill up and get heavier. How often stool collects in the bag will depend on the timing of meals, diet, and how long it takes a meal to travel through the digestive system.

An ileostomy or colostomy bag should be emptied at regular intervals. Rather than focusing on a particular number of times per day, it's better to consider emptying the bag when it is about one-third full. Every person will have their own preference on where, when, and how often they like to empty the ostomy bag.

Ileostomy and colostomy are types of ostomies that affect the digestive system. A urostomy is a type of ostomy that involves the urinary tract. Urine is collected in the urostomy bag. Some people may have a urostomy along with either a colostomy or an ileostomy.

It is not possible to have both types of gastrointestinal ostomies at the same time. This is because the stoma acts as the end of the intestines, where the stool leaves the body. Stool leaving the body from a stoma formed by the small intestine will be an ileostomy. Stool leaving the body from a stoma formed by the large intestine will be a colostomy.

There are many types of ostomy surgery, and they could be combined with other surgeries, especially for complicated or serious medical conditions. There could also be a need for other appliances, drains, or wound management systems. The surgeon and other healthcare providers will be the best sources of information about any other medical procedures taking place alongside an ostomy.

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By Amber J. TrescaAmber J. Tresca is a freelance writer and speaker who covers digestive conditions, including IBD. She was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at age 16.