1 Year After Colostomy Reversal: My Experience and Challenges

Hi everyone, it's been a while! Hope everyone is doing well! I'm just checking in. So it's been a full year since my colostomy reversal, so I thought I'd share what's been going on for those who are interested. I still have pain when I apply pressure to the stoma site, but only when I press on it and where the hernia repair was done. I still have rectal pain that feels like a stabbing or shooting pain, but only when I sit for too long and when I pass gas in a sitting position. Passing gas is not as easy as it was pre-colostomy. I have to push to get it out, but it's not painful. In the last year, I have had multiple blockages because of scar tissue, but only 2 have resulted in the dreadful NG tube and a hospital stay. I have only gained 10 lbs in the last year because I'm still scared of blockages since they're soooo painful, and I hate the NG tube! My bowel habits are back to normal, I've started doing cardio at the gym, but no weight lifting. I'm still being careful because my doc said I still run the risk of getting a hernia, so I will ease into that slowly over this next year. The only thing that I think is significant, aside from all the blockages, is the sensation I get when I have to poop. It's not like before, so I feel like I don't always know when I have to go. My belly feels weird; sometimes it feels like pressure, and sometimes I get pain, and then I go and it's gone. I have an appointment with the gastro in May, where I will ask all of my questions and report back to all of you. I hope that documenting my story will help others. I know every body is different, so I can only convey my personal experience, but hope it helps. Hope you're all doing well, until next time!! Take care!

Hi MoeMoe, I am so happy that you're doing well. Thanks for the update, and be blessed.

G-Day MoeMoe,

You are doing better than some after the reversal. I used to have a J-pouch, and the feeling of wanting to go was like contractions and very painful. I hope things pick up for you.

Regards, IGGIE

Glad to hear it's all going along pretty well for you. Wishing you well; take care.

Hi Moe Moe!
It's so great to hear from you and to hear you're doing well despite a few bumps in the road.

I hope you continue to improve and get these last few kinks worked out and resolved!

My Ostomy Journey: Ryan | Hollister

Hi MoeMoe - thanks for posting your progress - I am sure it is helpful to many. Hoping things continue to improve for you.

jb

Thanks for keeping everyone posted. I am sure your posts have helped many.

Thanks for this update. I'm contemplating a possible reversal, and this information is helpful. I'm still in the process of getting multiple opinions on the wisdom of doing this, and so far, all of them have been positive that it could work for me as long as my next scan doesn't show the cancer has returned, as I would need all my strength to deal with that, and recovering from a reversal would take more out of me than a simple revision.

Thank you, like everyone here, it's been a long journey that isn't quite complete.

Thank you, Iggie!

Thank you!

Thank you!

Hi! I documented my reversal from the beginning, in case you haven't read my other posts. I share everything and am pretty candid. If you have any questions, I'm happy to share my experience. You can ask me anything; just send me a message.

Hi! I documented my reversal from the beginning, in case you haven't read my other posts. I share everything and am pretty candid. If you have any questions, I'm happy to share my experience. You can ask me anything; just send me a message.

That's really good news, Moe. I'm 7 months post-reversal and also tender on my old stoma site. Otherwise, everything is more or less back to normal, including bathroom stuff that I was really worried about. It was all the antibiotics that threw my recovery, but thankfully I am well over that now. All the best for continuing improvement.

Thank you, Differentclass! Wishing you the very best on your journey through recovery!