I was wondering what to expect when I have my reversal? What is the recovery like?
rjg19
May 10, 2023 10:01 pm
Celia1552
May 10, 2023 11:03 pm
Look under Collections, then Premium Content. As you scroll down, you will find almost a hundred articles written by members! It is a treasure trove of firsthand information! Best wishes!
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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
CrappyColon
May 11, 2023 2:12 am
What type of reversal are you having? Colostomy or ileostomy? If from ileostomy, did they say J-pouch or something else?
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AlexT
May 11, 2023 5:05 am
No idea what it's like to go back to being one of "those" people... eww. Good luck.
avon1669
May 11, 2023 3:45 pm
Everyone's recovery with reversal is totally different. Be willing to adapt until you experience your new normal.
My Ostomy Journey: LeeAnne | Hollister
avon1669
May 11, 2023 3:49 pm
Is this Alex? Lol. I think I've told you this before, but I'll never forget the advice you gave me regarding taking showers. Such a small reply, but it had a huge impact on my struggle. I just told this story today about you. Thanks, Alex, if this is you.
Justbreathe
May 11, 2023 7:12 pm
Many of Alex's small replies have had an impact - I for one have benefited from them. A reply by someone on this site (not sure if it was Alex) advised that when the shower is over, before you dry yourself off, you should place two sheets (folded) of toilet paper over your stoma like a teepee (good choice of words here haha) to help catch any unwanted residue from hitting your feet or the floor of the shower.
Justbreathe
May 11, 2023 7:33 pm
Celia1552 has wise advice - go to Collections and see former responses to this very question - carefully review all that you read or hear about reversals - everyone is different, but only you know your own body - avon1669's advice is good, and ADAPT is the key word here.... PLEASE keep us posted. Thanks, jb
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CrappyColon
May 12, 2023 1:23 am
A friend of mine just had a colostomy reversal. I'll see if she has the time to jump on this thread sometime soon.
Wildflower 81
May 12, 2023 9:30 am
I am said friend that she mentioned. May I first ask about the circumstances leading up to your colostomy? I know every situation can be unique, which possibly lends itself to different outcomes for each individual. Personally, mine was brought about by diverticulitis (which I was unaware of until all hell broke loose a second time in a six-month time span) that resulted in a perforation of my sigmoid colon section.