Is It Normal To Have Red Pieces In Stool Post Colorectal Polyp Removal?

Posted on Fri, 13 Mar 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 13 Mar 2015 Answered on

Mon, 30 Mar 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : I just had endoscopic check of stomach and intestine on XXXXXXX 2, 2015. Found 2 colorectal polyps and doctor already removed them. Today I found one red skin like piece INSIDE the stool (red, not dark red). I ate a 35g chewy granola bar with a few cranberries inside yesterday. I had to dissect the stool to find out the red skin like piece. Is it normal? Now I became a very nervous "Stool examiner". Moreover, since I've endoscopic check of stomach and intestine in XXXXXXX 2, 2015 and removed 2 colorectal polyps. My doctor wants me to have another endoscopic check by end of this year? Would the schedule be too late as I am worried that if the previous screening failed to detect all the problems, the remaining polyps would develop into cancer.

Answered by Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
No need to worry

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for posting your query.
I am Dr.R.K and I am pleased to assist you.

The red thing you saw in the stool might undigested food particle. So you need not worry. If you are still apprehensive, you can get a stool analysis done to look for occult blood.

The endoscopy scheduled later this year is not too late. A polyp takes at least 4-5 years to turn malignant. Moreover the doctor has removed both the polyps and there are no polyps left to turn malignant.
So you need not worry.

I hope that answers your question.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr.R.K.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar