Colostomy Reversal Experiences and After Effects

I was wondering if anyone had had this done. I heard horror stories about the after effects. I am supposed to have it reversed in the next couple of months. Just seeking more opinins. Truly appreciate it.

Mary

Hello Mary. sorry to see that you have, as yet, had no replies to your post. THere are loads of past posts on the subject to be found in 'PREMIUM CONTENT'  under 'Ostomy reversal'.  THese can be found either at the side or bottom of your screen. 

I decided against a reversal - mainly because the problem I had, which led to my stoma ( a prolpased anus) would have undoubtedly returned if I started defeacating through my anus again. 

A problem with these sorts of sites is that very often it is the people with the problems who want to air and share their experiences, so we tend to get a biased viewpoint of lots of things going wrong. However, I am sure there are many operations which are successful where people simply get on with their 'normal' lives and have no need to share this with others.

Best wishes

Bill,

Hi Mary,

I just had a reversal done 5 weeks ago. My situation was micro perforations of  diverticuli in late February. Initially I was treated with IV antibiotics in hopes to heal perforations, so I could do a controlled resection after a colon clean out. 8 days after initial perforation my temperature started rising with generalized feeling of crappiness. My surgeon found an abcess and inserted a drain under laparascopic procedure. 5 days later I fistulized into drain. Finally, I had a sigmoid colectomy with an end colostomy. My surgeon said he wouldn't consider reversal before 3-4 months. He wanted me to regain my strength and decrease the inflammation in my abdomen. Well my insurance plan was in negotiation with the hospital in my plan and if an agreement wasn't reached, my hospital would be out of network by July 1st. So I call my surgeons office to get on his schedule. I had my reversal June 8th. I was supossed to have it done laparascopically, but ended up having to being opened up midline, again. I went home on day 3. Healing has been much easier than the inital colostomy, due to muscle wasting with process leading up to the colostomy. I was back walking 3 miles per day, 1 week post-op. I wore depends briefs for a couple weeks, untill I felt comfortable that my body knew the difference between gas , liquid or stool. Right now, I have control 5 weeks post-op, but have more urgency than I did pre-procedures. I heed the call of nature faster than I did in the past!

I'm not sure what your circumstances are, but everyone is different, so it's hard to compare everyone's experiences. I also read some accounts of others that have had revearsals, which left me anxious. In my case I wasn't dealing with Crohn's or any other chronic inflammatory condition.

I wish you well in your journey...

Ninny

Hi Mary.

I had a colostomy for 7 months due to ruptured sigmoid colon. I had no complications after my reversal last September.  Before the reversal my surgeon made sure I was in tip-top physical condition. It was hard work.  I made sure to eat properly and took vitamins.  The reversal surgery was easier to recover from and I was back to full-time work within a month.  I considered keeping the bag because of fear of the unknown. But I am so happy I went through with it. Living with the colostomy was very difficult for me psychologically.  We are all different but I have had no complications from reversal. I've been able to maintain my healthy eating habits and have fully resumed normal activities.  I don't eat popcorn or whole grain foods anymore. On rare occasions I use Miralx to keep things moving but I've found drinking water helps me avoid constipation.  It's ok to be scared. It's another major surgery. But unlike the first emergency surgery, reversal was much easier to recover from.  Think hard about your decision and do what is right for you.  Good luck. Sending you positive vibes.

Thank you Rubylu2. Your input was very helpful. Because of the hernias which started this mess. The surgery will be huge according to my surgeon. All the previous hernia repairs and to be removed. So all that has to be fixed along with the reversal. Could be another month in the hospital. But, I really think I am going to have to done. Thanks again.

Words of Encouragement from Ostomy Advocates I Hollister