Preparing for Reversal Surgery: Need Advice

Nurse called me this morning. Starting my schedule for reversal on the 19th. First, clear diet and then colonoscopy. Then the day after surgery. My mind is all over the place. Happy. Anxious. Scared. Anything I need to do to be prepared other than prayers??

Take a deep breath. I have no idea what a reversal is like and never will. Follow their instructions and you'll be back to doing weird things, like wiping your butt. Congrats.

I'm going to practice wiping my butt..

Hello RenfromTexas! I'm on the same path as you. Completed the Flexible Sigmoidoscopy and Colonoscopy on 11/1, the worst part was the prep! Met today with the Dr and all is a go for 12/8 reversal. Have to do the same prep the day before the surgery. But all good.

Received my "Enhanced Recovery After Abdominal Surgery" booklet today. They have an aggressive schedule for getting out of bed and eating ... sounds like fun! The end goal is what I'm looking forward to.

Good luck and keep us posted on your progress.

John

Go, girl. I hope you get everything you wish for.

Thank you.

I start a 5-day prep on the 19th and along with some kind of X-ray enema and a colonoscopy the day before the reversal on the 23rd. 5 days no solid food.. and Sutab prep.. no food Thanksgiving for me.. but. I'm going for it!

Hi Ren, good luck with the surgery and a speedy recovery.

Wow. 5-day prep! I have to reread my schedule.

I would skip Thanksgiving too if that was my timeline. Keep us posted.

Hopefully with enough practice, the hospital will give you a shirt when you leave as a souvenir.....

I'm sure it's like riding a bike. However, if you have a tough time just remember it could be worse....

Wishing you all the best and please keep us posted on how you do

Good luck, will be thinking of you.

Regards IGGIE

Oh my!!

19th start clear liquid diet. 20th start Sutab. 21st Sutab clear liquids. 22nd colonoscopy and some kind of X-ray enema. 23rd reversal. Also, yesterday the surgeon called and asked me if I wanted to come in on the 18th to talk. So I'll go in and go over the plan and ask questions.

Congratulations and a speedy recovery

I am 2 years out from reversal. Best advice: walk, walk, walk. Get out of bed, sit up. I had an ileus (GI tract not working) for 2 weeks. I ended up in ICU for a week. My first nurse told me to expect an accident, just accept it. Get a diaper rash cream and use it before you think you need it. Take baby wipes to the hospital and use them more than toilet paper. First BMs burn like fire (first week for me). I had more pain with reversal than I did with ostomy surgery, but I had a lot of scar tissue that took a long time to deal with in the OR. Even though it was a hard recovery, I am glad I went through it! Good luck.

Thank you for the tips. I'm definitely taking my butt paste and wipes. Got to visit with my surgeon today. He said he's going to take good care of me.

Best of luck with your reversal. I had my first ileostomy reversal in 2012, 7 months after colon removal and J-pouch construction.
Starting out with a brand new plumbing system was a little bit scary, but I was lucky and it all worked perfectly.
Had a bit of butt burn and was lucky enough to get some Calmoseptine from a friend who travels frequently to the USA (it's very expensive and difficult to get in the UK).
Also kept a few barrier wipes left over from stoma days in my pocket to use as a 'final wipe'.

Thank you so very much

Hi Renn,

I am just checking in on you to see how your reversal went. I have been home for almost a week now. I am happy to talk about what it's like to be constantly pooping if you need some moral support.

I hope you are doing well!

Elle D.

Did not get the reversal Wednesday.. They found a polyp and want to remove it first. I'll have to go elsewhere out of the county to a specialist to get it removed. Then after it heals then proceed.

Sorry to hear that. Getting mentally ready and then being delayed must be tough.

Damn, you prepare for a procedure only to find you have two instead of one. Sorry to hear that. Hope you get to put it all behind you sooner rather than later.

Shit rolls downhill

Quickly...