Concerns About Colon Function Post-Radiation Reversal

I am concerned that the colon, which was subjected to radiation, may not control the feces once the reversal is completed.

What does your doctor say about this? It's a valid question.

Hi Norman, do you have a colostomy then? Do you have all your colon left? Has your surgeon done any testing to see how strong the muscles are that control the timing of when you have a bowel movement? Like Eefyjig said, it sounds like some good questions for your doctor 😃. If for whatever reason(s) you find yourself more comfortable with keeping your ostomy, you need to share that with your medical team as well. Every person's reversal story is different as there are so many factors involved like why one has an ostomy to begin with, what type of ostomy, age, gender/anatomy, previous surgeries… to name a few.

I had a reversal just over 12 weeks ago, and I am happy with the outcome. I had a perforated bowel so I didn't have any radiation treatment, but all went well.

Last year, I had 46 radiation treatments for prostate cancer right before my perforated bowel issue that resulted in a colostomy. I was informed by my radiation oncologist and my surgeon that radiation causes permanent tissue damage affecting healing... so, no reversal for me. My surgeon was willing to "give it a shot," but I decided I've had enough surgeries and hospitalizations.

How to Manage Ostomy Leaks with LeeAnne Hayden | Hollister

Give it a shot? That comment alone would send me running for the hills, clutching my bag of pearls! :-)

Crappycolondiaries is correct. Fecal incontinence is a multifactorial problem. The question I would ask is how was your control before surgery?