Colostomy Reversal - Healing Process And Experiences?

Question

Hi guysI'm home lying in bed from a procedure to see if my rectum is in good shape for reversal.I was wondering if anybody has had the same situation as me. And if so, how was the healing process?I had cervical cancer 8 years ago. A year later, I ended up in the hospital with stomach poison. The general surgeon cut me open to fix an area of radiation damage to the sigmoid colon. He decided he didn't want to do it and put a colostomy. I've had it for 7 years and have made the best of it with no complications. I recently went to a specialist, and he said today that my rectum is clean and healthy, and he can go in and reconnect me. I'm excited but very nervous. He said I would most likely have an ileostomy for 6 weeks to allow the resection to heal before allowing bowel in it. He did tell me that most of his patients will say at one point that they wish they still had the bag. He said I have to be positive and trust him that in time everything will get back to normal. Have any of you experienced this?Thanks Love Shug

mikkiroxx · Answer

Hi Katy, I had 8 inches of colon removed. I have had several bad episodes of diverticulitis, I finally had the surgery. After 15 years of being afraid, I was in total panic up until the second I went under in the operation room. I woke up to 30 staples and an ileostomy. My surgeon says 3 months for a reversal, I'm having a barium enema prior to see if things are okay for reversal. I want this reversal so bad. Dealing with this bag has been so hard for me. I hear so many terrible stories of people living on the toilet after reversal and things gone wrong. My surgeon says I won't be regular for maybe 3 years after reversal!! Just wondering what your thoughts are.

Jenerprise · Answer

It has been about four months since my reversal. I had about 5-6 inches of my sigmoid removed, along with a portion of my jejunum. I had a colostomy for about 5 months.

I woke up in not a ton of pain after the reversal- I also had a stomal hernia repair as well at the same time. I started pooping after about 24 hours of surgery. I need to take about a teaspoon of milk of magnesia every night or else I get constipated.

I have had no issues outside of that. I have not had an occasion where I pooped my pants or couldn't hold it. Nothing like that. I poop once a day usually, sometimes twice.

I am very happy I had my reversal!

Jen

Angelicamarie · Answer

Jen, I'm glad everything went well. I'm sure you are glad you had it done, hope your healing process isn't too bad. Best wishes!! Angel

mikkiroxx · Answer

Thanks for the info. I am excited about my upcoming reversal. Just don't know what to expect or how often I will be running to the toilet. I just want this bag off and my life to go back to normal so to speak :)

Jenerprise · Answer

I get it...I feel - never normal but always special and blessed for what we have been through and go through. Very strong

latina63 · Answer

I have been reversed for 5 years now, at times I do wish I had the bag back. I think it all depends on how low your connection was, how much colon/rectum they removed. Mine was very low and I lost a lot of my rectum, so I still have a lot of problems: rectal nerve pain, cluster bowel movements, chronic constipation.... It's very hard sometimes, just hoping that it will continue to get better. It definitely is a new normal.

Colostomy Reversal - Healing Process and Experiences?

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