Hi everyone. My name is Andrés, and I'm 33 years old. I had emergency surgery for acute diverticulitis, resulting in a closed colostomy. The prognosis for a reversal procedure is positive. I'd like to hear your opinions on whether it's the best option. According to the surgeon, I only had a small amount of my bowel removed, approximately 15 cm of my bowel. I'm healthy and active, and everything has gone very well since my surgery. The first operation was a Hartmann procedure. And I've been with the stoma for 3 months now. Thanks beforehand.
Morning glory
May 26, 2025 6:21 pm
It seems that you are a good candidate to proceed ahead. Take care.
corlsharonl49
May 26, 2025 9:34 pm
Does sound like you are a good candidate. Get fully informed and make the best decision for yourself.
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This site is a godsend. As a newbie (colostomy on Nov 8, '21), I look at it every day for a number of reasons. Reading what people are going through makes me grateful that my elective surgery because of a severe case of IBS-C is nothing compared to what they have been through and are still living with.
I don't have to go to the hospital for anything related to my ostomy. I feel sorry for those who do and am in awe of those who can use humor to describe their ordeal. I identify with those who express their fears. I especially identify with those who are depressed because I am clinically depressed and have general anxiety disorder. How ironic that having a colostomy eliminated some of the depression and anxiety that the IBS created. I've been widowed twice and I'm on match.com.
I immediately included my operation in my profile and am pleased to say it doesn't seem to make a difference.
And there is much humor on this site and it's one of the reasons I enjoy it so much.
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I don't do any social media and think that its merits are overshadowed by too much negativity.
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Past Member
May 27, 2025 7:28 am
Had a reversal last December; getting rid of the bag definitely changed my outlook on life. I could go out without fear of leaking. It does take a while for the body to re-adapt, so patience is needed. I wore a bag for at least 20 months, so the waiting was fine.
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Past Member
Aug 14, 2025 8:51 pm
I also had acute diverticulitis, which caused my emergency surgery in January. I had a Hartmann procedure, and I am almost 4 weeks post-op from a take-down. The surgery was 5 1/2 hours, and it was a success. The surgeon does not consider reversals until at least 6 months to let the body heal. I was in the hospital for 3 nights and went home on gabapentin and Tylenol. My bowels woke up in the hospital, and I have had a few rough days, but mostly due to what I've previously eaten. I am on a probiotic, which the doctor recommended, and it has helped a lot in regulating everything. I did have a wound vac due to the location where the stoma ended up deeper than she had anticipated. The wound vac assisted in healing the wound from the inside out. I got the wound vac off today and was released today to travel again for work. I still can't carry anything heavier than a gallon of milk, but that is not much of a restriction.
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amymariefred
Aug 14, 2025 9:12 pm
I'd say go for it if your doctor offers this as an option. When I had my ostomy surgery, it was planned to reverse it in 3 months. It took 6 months to get in the OR. Glad I did. Fiber and disposable undergarments will be your best friends. And a strong probiotic to get your gut biome back in shape. I'm about 18 months post-reversal, and I poop up to 6 times a day on a bad day, 3-4 on a good day. Just be prepared with a bidet at home and a portable bidet while you're at work or elsewhere. I hated using wipes all the time.