Is Reconnect/Reversal Surgery Worse Than the Original Colostomy?

Spoke with my surgeon's PA. She said reconnect/reversal is worse surgery than the original colostomy surgery. Has anyone else been told that?

In my case, reversal was harder than ostomy surgery due to adhesions and scar tissue. Overall, glad I did it, but it was a long road.

My reversal was much easier. Just my experience.

I agree with DexieB. The reversal for me was nothing compared to my first surgery. In every aspect, less pain, quicker healing time, etc.

Every nurse I spoke to at the hospital said reversal is easier for most, like the surgery part. I believe that. The recovery part in my mind is frightening. But my doctor said I should be fine. 17 cm plus of large colon found on second exam. But the ostomy nurse said no one is the same—we all have different recoveries. You go through it then you know, until then as I tell myself and as I'll tell you, we take it day by day and hope for the best.

My Ostomy Journey: Kimberly | Hollister

Five people with reversals will say positive things while another five may not. Likely the same asking doctors, too.

Of the many things anyone should learn from talking to those who've "been there and done it" is... no two people react, recover, the same. The type of surgery once agreed upon could drastically change in a blink in the O.R.

That changes recovery... big time.

We went in laparoscope, for example... it went south. Had open surgery... it wasn't a reversal. No, permanent ileo.

Ouch.

One might say surgery was worse while recovery was better. Vice versa too.

Hearing a P.A. talking like that to you should not influence you. Talk to the surgeon. Get a second opinion.

Ask the members here for details.

Now that you are here, you can decide somewhat fact over fiction. You have time to research this.

Some of us never had the time and like me, some of our colons were toxic and needed complete removal.

Good luck to you.

It is hard to imagine a PA making a general statement like that. The reversal surgery will be harder than the colostomy surgery for some and easier than the colostomy surgery for others. The PA may have been addressing your case in particular — a case where the PA is privy to information from the surgeon as it pertains to you. In my particular instance, my surgeons advised me that my reversal would be more difficult than my original surgeries. This was based on the difficulty my body had in healing, fistulas, blood clots, and internal hemorrhaging. I was in the hospital and rehab for over 3 months. Both of the surgeons said they would not be willing to undertake the reversal and that they would instead refer me to a surgeon that specializes in complex reversals. Based on the conversations I had with my surgeons, I have decided not to pursue a reversal. Each case is different; therefore, you must have a sincere talk with your surgeon(s) to determine what is best for you.

Thank you for all the replies!

Hello! I am scheduled for the reversal surgery on May 2nd. My surgeon has told me it will be nothing like the original surgery. She said it will be done laparoscopically, and she will not have to open me up again to reconnect things. I have an appointment with her on Monday to go over things. Every time I see her, she states that the reconnection surgery will be a piece of cake compared to what I went through to disconnect things. I had a large vertical incision, and surgery took over 4 hours. We shall see! I am optimistic and trust in my care team.

My colostomy surgery was a very difficult one to recover from, but then it was due to an emergency situation from a stricture caused by diverticulitis. My reversal recovery was much faster and easier. I was also prepared for it and the outcome, which of course was not the case for the first one.

My reversal was laparoscopic as well (looks like stab wounds all over the belly lol), and I believe that helped my recovery.

Whatever decision you make, I wish you only the best. :-)

Hello! I did have my reversal surgery on May 2nd. The surgeon was able to go in through the hole where my stoma was. Overall, surgery went well. That said, whilst I am on the final leg of my journey and things are beginning to improve, I think this recovery has been harder for me than the original surgery.

I am having issues with my incision and bowels are being kind of wonky. It has been a difficult process, but one I am sure I will get through! I am not sorry I had the reversal done, just another journey to get through.

Kim

Thanks for sharing… Wishing you a speedy recovery and appreciate you keeping us posted on recovery. JB

Glad to hear you are on the mend! ❤️‍🩹

I'm contemplating reversal surgery and have a lot of scarring from both radiation and previous surgeries. My colostomy arrived when I had a blockage that turned out to be caused by radiation scarring of my intestines, so it was an emergency surgery that ended up being fully open belly. If they can do my reversal laparoscopically, I imagine the recovery will be much easier. Having staples down my midline was not an easy recovery! I know I will need to deal with a temporary ileostomy if they are successful and may actually end up with a permanent colostomy if they cannot reconnect me, but either one would be better than what I'm dealing with now, which is a completely retracted and stenotic mess.