Seeking Encouragement for Colostomy Reversal - Any Success Stories?

Hello everyone! I haven't been on here long, by any means. Well, for starters, I had a sigmoidectomy to get rid of acute diverticulitis. So that went as planned, and then the second day after I got out of the hospital, I had intense abdominal pain. After going to the ER and being in excruciating pain the entire time, they verified I had peritonitis, and that led to the next morning of an emergency laparotomy and another 2-3 inches of intestine removal, and to my surprise, a colostomy. Fortunately, the surgeon said that it is temporary, and in 6 months' time and enough weight gain, I can have the reversal. Well, the surgeon notified me about 2 weeks ago that she feels that my health and weight are more than good enough for the reversal. And this after only about 4 months and about 12 pounds of weight gain. I lost 22 pounds from the first surgery. I am so very freaked out about the reversal. I know that it is needed to get this bag off my gut, but going through all of that again? She says I am a perfect candidate for the reversal, but such was also stated for the first procedure, but hey, feces happens, right? And in the interim, I developed an inguinal (groin) hernia, and since she is a colorectal surgeon, she said that she can't fix it while in there to do the reversal. Which I am fine with. And with my insurance, bags aren't cheap and they only allot 20 per month of the closed-ended pouches, so I have been in the muck, so to speak, since August 7th. I am just looking for anyone that was in a similar position, that has had a reversal, that can give me hope! I have read a lot of horrors but not a lot of encouraging things on reversals. I am freaked out! Anyone, please, no sugar coating but something encouraging. I have read all I can read on the risks, and all I keep seeing is the bad. I want to hear some good!

Hi Stan, I am in the waiting period stage also. I had emergency surgery for a perforated bowel, woke up to a colostomy in February. I have gained the weight and am trying to strengthen as much as I can before my surgery in January. If we just looked at the negative stories, we would not venture any further. Every situation is different! So I just think about what my life was like before, confined to my home with constant runs to the bathroom, the temporary hook up to let my body heal, and now the next chapter to hopefully have the reversal and move on with my life. I never considered this a death sentence or a time to feel ostracized by others. Trust your surgeon and get as strong and healthy as you can before the date comes.... Jean

Hi Stan, I'm in much the same situation as your good self and awaiting reversal on the 22nd of next month. I do have a few moments where I get a little worried about what lies ahead, but going by the reassurances of my surgeon, I'm happy to go ahead. If you're using the same surgeon who brought you through all this, have some faith in their suggestions. I've been postponed from this month and am just hoping all will be fine for next month. I know I'll be in over Christmas, but after the year I've had, I consider it the best Christmas present ever. Have a chat again with your surgeon and when you're happy, then make your next move. Good luck with your reversal though and may you never look back!! Take care, Colm

You are absolutely right, and I have been looking at the brighter side of things. For one, if it wasn't for this bag, I wouldn't be alive. So for that, I am very thankful. And indeed, I think about having the consistent pain of being in and out of the hospital because of diverticulitis, and all the antibiotics. It was ridiculous. I am really looking forward to getting the take down done and over with.

Yea, and that is the way that I am looking at it as well. My birthday falls on 12/28 and my surgery is on the 27th, so I am thinking that God is going to give me a great birthday and Christmas present and let me use my backside like he designed it. And I do have a lot of reassurances, in the sense that my surgeon is a specialist and is supposed to be the best in the state of AZ. So that does help, but sometimes when they are that good, they have terrible bedside manner. Take the good with the bad though, huh! Thank you for the kind words! I appreciate it. I just have to set everything up at work for the time off and get the pre-op bloodwork done, and I am set. I hope and pray that your reversal goes well also, and I will be keeping you posted. Make sure you do the same!!

Living with Your Ostomy | Hollister

Hi again Stan, that's the attitude to have. I think you'll find there's not too much sugar coating with posts here. Have a look at the posts from Gizmo and he's now just back to work. He's an inspiration for us all. If I'm at all able, I'll post as soon as I can after surgery and hopefully before your big day. Forgot to mention that I have an inguinal hernia too, but my surgeon wants to leave that until a later date. Good luck, Colm.

Yeah, same here, she said that under different circumstances she would do a dual surgery and fix both, but with the amount of rupture I have with the hernia, and with the mesh being used to close the stoma opening, it would be just too much at once. So, ah well, start off with one surgery and end with four... God willing, only four! And I will be looking forward to donating all of my unused ostomy supplies to the local homeless shelters as well because they have people with the same needs that can't afford healthcare!!

Guys, I think it depends on what condition. Oops, sugar coated already. I have Crohn's. But saying that, I don't know about diverticulitis. But I knew a man who had a reversal and no problems after his 3 months of having a stoma then reversal. I suppose that's all most want, really. I had problems, but I suppose different condition maybe too. Depends on how much bowel was left and so how much urgency you need when you are reconnected. XXXX. I hope all goes well, guys, for you all. And still shocked that you pay for pouches. But giving them to a shelter, hats off to you. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX. Mooza. XXXXXXX. Melbourne, Australia. XX

Thank you! And fortunately, I only had around 7 inches removed of the large intestine, so as my surgeon put it, I have quite a bit leftover for reattachment. Yeah, good old insurance, I have to pay what insurance won't cover, OH JOY!!!