Experiences with Colostomy Reversal at an Older Age

I am 8 months post surgery for a colostomy. I am doing well but thinking I may want a reversal at some point. Wondering if any of you have had a reversal and how you are doing? What successes and what challenges you may have had?
At 82 my handling of Stella(my stoma) is going well. My main concern is keeping the quality of life I have presently which is good.

Thank you in advance for your responses.

🙏Namaste 

Arline

Hi Gaia,

It's great to see you reaching out here. You'll definitely find a lot of support and shared experiences from this wonderful community.

Regarding your question about colostomy reversal, I've seen many discussions where members have shared their journeys. Some have had successful reversals even at an older age, while others have chosen to keep their stoma due to the quality of life it provides. It's important to weigh the potential benefits and challenges, and perhaps discuss with your healthcare provider to see what's best for you. Your current well-being with Stella is a strong foundation to consider.

Congratulations on being part of this community! You'll find plenty of support, information, and some really cool people who are more than willing to share their experiences and advice. You're in the right place!

G-Day Gaia,

If you are going well with Stella and don't want to go through another Operation, remember you don't have to have a reversal.  My Ileostomy is my life saver and I wouldn't change it for the world.

Regards IGGIE

Wow….so much has been written on here about reversals…it’s a very personal and individual subject and each of us who are told reversal is an option, struggle with the right decision.  

My suggestion, read as much as you can and educate yourself - as all will say “everyone is different” and the bottom line is - the only real and right answer is the one you make for yourself….

I am an ileostomate  4+ years due to a non-malignant cyst - reversal possible - many would say “go for it” however, at 81 years old - decided against reversal, reason - I feel great now and although I am not fond of my stoma, it allows me to live a pain free life…why take a chance and spend any time at all in the docs offices, meds, hospital etc.? - Life is good….not worth the gamble for me….jb

Thank you very much, Iggie.  I feel the same way as I am doing quite well, too.  My decision at this moment is never to have a reversal but I wanted feedback from others.
Happy New Year and keep enjoying your life.

Gaia

I had a reversal over a year ago now. It went really well and I have no regrets at all. I had a perforated bowel from diverticulitis and had the bag for just over 7 months. I'm a 63-year-old male.

Stories of Living Life to the Fullest from Ostomy Advocates I Hollister

I had many complications leading to my ostomy. Long hospital stay; Rehab facility; Home Healthcare and finally External Physical Therapy was the journey I took to recovery. The long journey did have its benefits because I had plenty of medical help learning to manage my ostomy.

I was told by surgeons that if I had the reversal, I would probably have the same complications and perhaps more. They also said the reversal would have to be performed by a surgeon that specializes in that type of complex reversal. Since I had no problems managing the reversal, my wife and I decided not to have the reversal. As JB said read & learn what you are up against and make an informed decision.

The following is information I gathered when contemplating having a reversal.

A VA study analyzed outcomes and timing of ostomy reversal surgery, perioperative complications, and differences between colostomy and ileostomy reversal outcomes in veterans undergoing elective surgery for diverticular disease.
    • 751 received a stoma
    • 407 had ostomy reversal surgery (54.2%)
    • 243 had colostomies (59.7%)
    • 149 had Ileostomies (36.6%)
    • 15 unspecified (3.7%)
    • Median time to ostomy reversal was 5 months
    • Complication rate after reversal was 23.1%
    • Surgical site infection most common (9.1%)

Factors associated with lower likelihood of ostomy reversal:
    • increasing age
    • hypertension
    • A higher ASA classification indicates a more severe level of systemic disease and a higher risk of complications during surgery. Here's a brief overview of the classifications:
      • ASA I: A normal healthy patient.
      • ASA II: A patient with mild systemic disease.
      • ASA III: A patient with severe systemic disease that limits activity but is not incapacitating.
      • ASA IV: A patient with severe systemic disease that is a constant threat to life.
      • ASA V: A moribund patient who is not expected to survive without the operation.
      • ASA VI: A declared brain-dead patient whose organs are being removed for donor purposes.
    • higher ASA classifications (III, IV, V) indicate more severe health conditions and higher perioperative risks.
    • There were no differences in postoperative complication rates after colostomy vs ileostomy reversals.
    • Reversals after 4.6 months were associated with 3.4-times higher odds of complications.
• Creation and reversal rates are similar between the veteran and non-veteran populations in the United States.
• Delays in reversal surgery were associated with worse postoperative outcomes.

I had my ileostomy reversed; it was the worst thing I could have possibly said yes to when my specialist suggested it. Eight months later, I had another obstruction, and when I awoke in the recovery room and my stoma nurse walked in, I was so thankful when I realized that this time I had my Mount Vesuvius back!

I had a reversal only because I disliked my bag so much. The worst decision I ever made. I never left the house for a month as I was so bad. I then saw my surgeon and he suggested I go back into hospital to have my bag put back on. I tried, it failed and now living my best life. 

Have you developed a hernia?

I did have a parastomal hernia about 18 months ago, but I got it repaired right away, and now all is good.

Regards, IGGIE

That's great news, Lazar. I am so glad I got rid of my J-Pouch and am back to my Ileostomy friend.

Regards, IGGIE

I'm so glad I got rid of mine, too, Iggie!

Hi Gaia,

I had reversal surgery for my loop colostomy just two weeks ago. However, the plan was always to reverse mine as it was placed so I could heal from an injury during another surgery. I am 69 years old, and it hurts pretty bad. It first felt like I did a thousand sit-ups; my abdomen was so sore. Now the pain is mostly concentrated at the wound, which is still about 16 mm open. And the dressing is irritating my skin, stinging and burning at every dressing change. I was told it would take about three weeks to heal, but it is going to take much longer than that, more like three months. You may want to stay away from it if you're doing okay with the stoma. I also have a urostomy, which is why I wanted the reversal.
Amy

Yes, Iggie. I have had a hernia ever since my surgery. It isn't problematic. I decided not to have a reversal as I am doing so much better with the colostomy in terms of diet and no severe constipation. This is major for me.

Hope you are doing well.

🙏Namaste

Arline(Gaia)

Namaskaar aur aapka svaagat hai.

Regards IGGIE