Ileostomy Reversal Scheduled for Next Monday - Tips?

Hi All

I've had quite a week! I went for a checkup on Monday with my consultant, and after some scans and tests, he sent me for a colonoscopy yesterday. The result was really good, and now my reversal is set for next Monday.

I'm both excited and nervous. I wasn't expecting it to be so early, as I'll be just 10 weeks post-op.

What I'd like to know is if anyone has had a reversal this early and any good tips for before and after. Positive stories only, please, to help with the nerves 😀

Thanks

Lori

Hello - I had a reversal Jan 30th and it went great!! Much less pain than my original emergency surgery.  BUT I had my colostomy for 8 months....I had sepsis and that's why I needed to heal longer.  So mine was not reversed as fast as yours, but your doc must have good reason to go forward so soon. 

If I were you I would get an extra large capacity bag for your bowel prep before surgery - I don't know what I would have done without it.  And also expect some accidents at first - adult diapers and a barrier cream is a must!  My stomach made some crazy noises, and I started going to the bathroom very soon after surgery, so be prepared for that.   Best of luck to you!  You will do great!

Good Luck and God's Love....You will be just fine!

Wishing you all the best for Monday!  

G-Day Ireland, keep us up to date after your operation and good luck. Regards, IGGIE

How to Manage Emotions with LeeAnne Hayden | Hollister

Good for you, speedy recovery.

Good luck and a speedy recovery

I had my reversal at 14 wks post op and everything has been going well. The first couple of weeks after surgery were a little rough, but lots of Desitin max helped. 

I'm now 5 wks post reversal and feel great. It's nice getting back to normal and not having to empty a bag any longer.

Good luck with your surgery and recovery. 

Great to hear you are doing well so soon. Can I ask what your diet is like? I've struggled with not having as much of the fruit and veg I normally would before the stoma. I hope to be back to somewhat normal by Christmas.

I was on a low fiber diet for the first 10 days after surgery. I went to the surgeon to have the staples removed, and he told me I had no restrictions.

Now at 5 weeks post-op, I'm eating lots of vegetables and fruits, and even popcorn and nuts. I haven't had any issues, and bowel function continues to improve.

Hope your surgery went well and healing is quick.

Surgery went very well; the consultant is very happy. Just starting liquid foods now, hopefully moving to more solid food tomorrow, and he said once the bowels move, I can go home.

Little pain, but I am still on the PCA pump. No issues walking around so far.

Good for you, wish you well.

Glad to hear it went so well! 

I would recommend Desitin or something similar as soon as your bowels start moving to prevent some of that pain as things get going again. 

Blessings on your recovery!

That's wonderful. Best of luck to you. You will be just fine! I'm exactly 16 weeks post-surgery and having a colonoscopy on November 20 and another test that week to determine when I get a reversal. I had an open wound for 10 weeks after my emergency surgery and sepsis. My body needed more time to heal, I am told. Good luck.

Hi everyone,

I had an ileostomy for 7 months while I was undergoing chemo for a colon obstruction.  After 6 months of chemo and immunotherapy, my cancer was gone and I was able to schedule an ileostomy reversal.

It's been almost 3 weeks since and my gut is still trying to figure out what it's supposed to do.  It took almost two weeks for my colon to start working (I was on IV nutrition only during this time) and when I finally moved to soft food, I finally was able to poop.  I'm home now and even though my stomach is still swollen and the "wound" where my ileostomy was is still healing, it gets better and better every day.  

I had a LOT of cramping, swelling and gas while all of this was happening and I still have some but less.  What I'm here to say is it was totally worth it! I had a very high producing ileostomy and literally never stopped eating or emptying the bag every day.  It was brutal and a total beating so the second I was able to reverse it, I did.

For me, it was 7 months of experimenting with bags, getting help from a stoma nurse who would come to my house and exorbitant food bills.  I was never full...just constantly eating yet losing so much weight I looked like a walking skeleton.  Hang in there!  I'm so glad I did the reversal.  You won't regret it!!

Best,

Kathryn

Sounds like you are doing well, great to hear.