Hartmann's Reversal Experiences and Advice

Hi everyone. I've been trolling the posts to get some info. Huge shock when I had an emergency Hartman's on September 9th due to diverticulitis. In hospital for 3 weeks with an n/g tube for most of that. My surgeon has now agreed to try a reversal robotically, but he has frightened me to death with all the stuff that can go wrong! I am hoping to hear from you guys who have been through this procedure, hopefully successfully, and how the experience went. Thank you in advance.

That's very good that your surgeon opened up to you and explained all the gruesome details. Most physicians don't do that. They say you will be fine, but as long as you stay here on this website, you'll get a few answers and you can make an informed decision. Personally, I think pouches fail. I think your best bet would be just staying with the bag, but that's my opinion. There will be several others who agree and several others who don't. But the fact is, if he's going to set up a pouch or do a direct connect, you have to find out what's going on with that. I've heard of direct connect where they take the small intestine and just connect it to the large intestine, but I don't know if you still have a large intestine. It sounds like you do, which is fine. So you have a direct connect or you have a pouch, and quite honestly, from what I've been reading, pouches fail. It might take five years, it might take two weeks, I don't know. You can develop an infection. I just don't like anything surgically built inserted into my body like that. I'm sorry I wish I had more information, but people here will chime in and please heed their advice, research it, question your doctor some more, and also the surgeon. Do you feel comfortable with him? Is he experienced? It's really up to the surgeon how well he performs the task, and then it's just up to you recovering.

Best of luck. I hope you make an informed decision.

Hello, I had emergency surgery in January this year for a perforated bowel due to diverticulitis, Hartmann's procedure. I had the bag until August this year, then had a reversal, which was another open surgery. So that was about 18 weeks ago now. I was back to normal after about 3 weeks. But like Warrior said, we are all different. Any questions, feel free to ask.

Hi. Many thanks for your reply. There has been no mention of a pouch; the surgeon is joining the two ends of the large colon together again and closing the stoma... at least that is the plan. I am having a virtual colonoscopy on 22nd December to check all is intact and no diverticulitis, which was the reason for my colostomy. Keep your fingers crossed for me.

Thanks for your reply, Newhere. I am very nervous about the whole procedure as the emergency Hartmann's for diverticulitis was so traumatic - I'd never heard of diverticulitis before! I hate living with my stoma, but it has saved my life, so I love it for that. I was told at the outset it was reversible and have been clinging to that, probably wrongly! It is great to hear from someone who has had a successful takedown, and I would be very interested to hear about your experiences. I am having a virtual colonoscopy on 22nd December to check on the plumbing and hoping to get a date soon (although I am terrified).

Living with Your Ostomy | Hollister

G-Day Differantclass, I would think twice about having it done. Do a lot of homework about reversals, and if I can help I will contact you on private message if it's OK with you. Let me know? Regards, IGGIE

Thanks, Warrior, but the decision is made and I will be going ahead with the reversal. That's why I am hoping to hear from others' experiences who have gone through the same.

Hi Iggie, but the decision is made and I will be going ahead with the reversal. That's why I am hoping to hear others' experiences who have gone through the same.

🤞My fingers are crossed.

You are getting a direct connect.

A first I have ever heard of. Now the student becomes the teacher.

Looking forward to hearing your journey.

Blessings.

Oh, a quick edit. You should announce it's a direct connect, no pouch. Might get a better response.

Hi again Differentclass, I understand you are nervous about reversal, I know I was. Emergency surgery is just that, I spent a week in ICU and another 8 nights in the general ward after that with my first surgery,

The reversal was way less traumatic, even though they had to remove a bit more of the colon, I felt so much better than the first time. The colonoscopy is a walk in the park. Keep us posted on your progress. Bill.

That's so good to hear, Newhere. I hope you are continuing to enjoy life to the full and everything has returned to ‘normal.' I was in the hospital for 3 weeks with my first surgery and lost tons of weight. Did you have a nasal/gastro tube after your takedown? I'm trying to prepare myself for the post-op recovery. It's been only 3 months since my emergency op, but I'm feeling well at the moment (apart from the bag, which I will never get used to), but I realize for a lot of people the bag is permanent. I'm hoping there are no complications and the procedure can be done robotically, avoiding the open surgery with my initial op. Wishing you all the best.

Yes, I did have the NG tube for the reversal, but only for 3 or 4 days. Horrible things they are. And thanks, yes, life is good. Take care.

That's brilliant, Newhere. I'm having a virtual colonoscopy tomorrow, and what a performance with the drinks that clear you out! They should have warned me it would be an eruption within 20 minutes of taking it! I'm hoping if the colonoscopy is clear, they will get me in for the reversal in January/February - that all depends on junior doctors' strikes in the UK.

I also had emergency surgery on May 28 (due to perforation caused by a biopsy) - lost 40 lbs and spent 21 days in the hospital, went home with a colostomy. I still have nightmares about the NG tube! My takedown on January 30 will be robotic-assisted. I am also terrified, but they say it will be easier than my first surgery. Three months was not that long ago, so it is still fresh in your mind - I totally understand your fear! Thinking of you and wishing the best for you :)

Hi Dexie. I'm waiting for a date now, yours seems similar to mine. My surgeon is also doing robotically assisted reversal, assuming all is good, but he has told me he may have to revert to open surgery if too complicated. Sending you all good wishes, all will be fine. Keep us updated.

I had the robotic reversal. 3 days and no NG tube, I was home.  

I expected the worst and was terrified; thankfully, the doctors were not.

You got this!!

You got this

That's so good to hear, Dogen. I had my pre-op assessment yesterday, and I have been cleared for surgery! YAY! Just waiting on a date but have been told it will be soon. It's great to hear from those who have had a successful takedown... so many scary stories out there, but I have decided to focus on the positive. Do you know anything about the stapler anvil I have read about... eek! Do they leave it inside? Thank you again for your fab response.

Thanks, Dexie. You will be fine. Please keep us updated. Wishing you all the best. x

Thanks for bringing this up, as I have an appointment with my surgeon on Wednesday the 17th. He did mention “stapling” last time I saw him and I need clarification... will update you on what he says!

I had my colon and intestine reattached via staple - I would have no idea had the doctor not told me. Think of it as an ingredient to a nice meal; it makes the meal taste great but you have no idea it was part of the recipe. :-)

Very nice analogy, Dogan. It sounds like you have made a fantastic recovery, and that's so good to hear for those of us who are waiting for reversals. Maybe too much info isn't such a great idea on reflection; it just puts the frighteners and scares the hell out of me! Having said that, I realize I am lucky to be offered the takedown. I have not had any problems with the stoma other than feeling like I've been shot in the gut, but right from the start, I've wanted to get put back together.

I'm doing the same... feeling lucky I have a chance at reversal, and just trying to focus on the positive! I got my all clear yesterday after doing my pre-op physical and meeting with the surgeon. He confirmed he does re-attach with a stapler; he says it provides the best outcome. I'll be trying not to think of those staples left inside me, LOL! I too have been lucky with my stoma - my biggest issue is that I got a huge hernia under it. Even so, I've been living with it and it hasn't caused me any troubles... yet like you, I just want to get back to my previous normal if possible. Wishing you the best possible outcome!

Fingers crossed. 🤞 and 🙏

I've just heard that during my pre-op virtual colonoscopy they found 2 polyps! I'm waiting to hear how they will proceed with this… Now I am terrified they will postpone my reversal. Anyone had anything similar?

I'm so happy for you, Dexie, and we do have to put our faith in the surgeons and trust they know their job. Are you having a laparoscopic reversal? Do keep us updated and stay strong. x

Yes, robotic-assisted. I will definitely keep you posted!

Maybe they will remove them during the reversal? My colonoscopy won't be until 2 months after my reversal... I asked about that, and it's because they want to make sure cancer surveillance is done at 1 year - I suppose so they don't miss anything. Please let us know what you find out!

Yes, I'll let you know for sure. I must admit it's thrown me a bit! Someone is supposed to be contacting me, but I left a message with my surgeon's secretary anyway, hoping they will get back to me early next week.

Had my endoscopy yesterday and I can't say it was much fun! All clear now, hopefully for my reversal soon 🙏

I think you will do great. I know what you mean because when we have the emergency surgery and get the bag, it's such a traumatic experience that the thought of going back to the operating room is scary. But remember, this time when you are rolled into the operating room, you are being rolled in healthy, not being rolled in sick like before. So your body is going to react so much better. I had my Hartmann's reversal 8 months ago, and sometimes I'm in amazement at how smooth it was. When I woke up from surgery, I was in zero pain. They tried to do laparoscopic, but there were too many adhesions from the first surgery, and it had to be done open. Didn't even make a difference though... it healed so nicely. If you do end up with staples, yes, they suck... but good news... they come out post-op day 14, so just count down the days!