Advice For Preparing For Colostomy Reversal

Past Member

Aug 29, 2022 8:10 pm

Looking for advice. I ruptured my colon due to diverticulitis three months ago while on vacation. Had emergency surgery and they took out about 8 inches of my sigmoid colon via Hartmann's procedure. My vacation souvenir was a lovely colostomy bag.

I was told there was a 95% chance of successful reversal after 6 months but I'd have to consult with a surgeon when I got back home. Found a surgeon and he said I'd be good to go with reversal in 4 months, which is now one month away.

I want to prepare as much as I can so it goes as smoothly as possible and recovery goes well. I don't know if anyone would still be in this forum after a successful reversal but if there is anyone, I'd welcome any advice or tips. Thank you in advance.

eefyjig

Aug 30, 2022 12:59 am

Field, I have no advice since I had my whole colon removed and a J-pouch created, then a permanent ostomy when the J-pouch wasn't working well but I wanted to say that is awesome for you! My surgeon for all four of my surgeries was with Mt. Sinai in NYC and he was awesome. Best of luck!

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Posted by: iMacG5

Hi Crossley. Ya know, I think it’s all about feelings. I don’t mean the pain feelings which could control everything. I mean the feelings inside our heads, our hearts and even our souls. I mean the feelings of who we are now compared to who we were; how we accept our situation or maybe we don’t. My wife asked how I felt and I said, “like crap”. She asked what hurt and I answered, “Nothing hurts, well, everything hurts, I don’t know, It all sucks.” That was a long time ago. You question if your feelings are normal. How normal is it to relocate your butt hole to your belly where it’s usually in the way of your belt and, you know. But that’s where we are and for lots of us we are so much better off than we were before, physically. Emotionally, psychologically, well, that might be a different story. I believe talk therapy is wonderful if we could find a real empathic or sympathetic listener. So guess what! I found MAO and began “talking” with a keyboard with some of the wisest, kindest most sympathetic and compassionate folks on the planet. Regardless of where we’ve been, lots of folks here have been there and worse places and found their way back healthier and happier. We really do help each other.
Keep “talking”,
Mike

Past Member

Aug 30, 2022 1:06 am

Thanks. Best to you, too.

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AlexT

Aug 30, 2022 6:52 am

Another poor soul going to the dark side. Hope everything goes perfectly for you.

1 likes

patrickrichardson1946

Aug 30, 2022 9:21 am

Hi Field, my wife had an ileostomy for 6 months then had a successful reversal so stay positive and kiss your pouch goodbye. Patrick

2 likes

Words of Encouragement from Ostomy Advocates I Hollister

Delsol93

Sep 22, 2022 3:05 am

Hi Field,

I'm in the same boat. December will be my 6 months, so I'm going through the checks now to ensure it's possible. Like a colonoscopy to check everything out. Good luck to you. I'm looking forward to saying goodbye to mine.

1 likes

Past Member

Oct 13, 2022 2:25 pm

Thanks for the well wishes everyone. Had reversal 5 days ago and doing well. There's sharp burning pain around the stoma site when moving in some directions and I'm dealing with constipation. Drinking a lot of water, eating oatmeal and walking as much as possible have been helpful with that. But so glad to be moving beyond all of this. Good luck to all of you, wherever you are on this journey.

1 likes

Past Member

Oct 15, 2022 4:20 pm

It's gone! Surgery went well and memories of the bag are fading fast. What a relief to be done with that.

1 likes

elledubuque

Oct 28, 2022 3:07 am

Hey Field,

Maybe try Calms? It's a magnesium powder that you put in hot water like a tea. It's good for Rolodex brain like I have and also works as a laxative.

I can't take it now because it makes my colostomy too liquidy and I miss slowing my brain down. I've bought it at Target, Amazon, Sprouts and HEB - go Texas.

Im booked for reversal 11.16. We should come back and check in on each other!

Question - did they make you do a barium enema CT scan before surgery? That's coming up for me and I have no idea what to expect.

Advice for Preparing for Colostomy Reversal - Seeking Tips

Words of Encouragement from Ostomy Advocates I Hollister