15 Months After Reversal: Ongoing Pain and Recovery Journey

Hi! I hope everyone is doing well! Just wanted to check in and give an update. I do have daily pain where the hernia used to be when I apply pressure, and sometimes I will get this sharp pain under where the stoma used to be. It goes straight down to the side of my pubic area, but it is only sometimes, and I'm not sure what causes it. I also still have rectal pain, but only sometimes, when I pass gas in a sitting position and if I hold my poop. Also, I have noticed that if I overeat, I have pain in my entire midsection, and if I don't eat when I'm hungry, I have severe pain in my midsection. So, I have learned to eat small meals throughout the day, never overeat, and take snacks every time I leave the house. I have gained some of my weight back, which makes me feel much better and comfortable in my skin, so I am mentally getting better too. There are still many foods I choose not to eat for fear of obstruction/blockage. Having said that, I did endure a total of five blockages from January to March of this year, so my physician sent me back to the surgeon who did the reversal to check me out. That appointment was today. So, unfortunately, she did say that the pain I am experiencing will probably be lifelong (hoping not, but it is possible). It's not excruciating pain, so I don't foresee it being a huge issue at this time, thank God! She also advised that the pain in my midsection was probably due to the scar tissue pulling on the abdominal wall when the intestines move, for example, from digesting food or from hunger. She also advised me to take a fiber supplement daily, like psyllium husk, since I told her that I refuse to eat leafy greens because I'm terrified of blockages. My first blockage came from what I believe was spinach, so I have eliminated all leafy veggies out of fear. As for the blockages I've been experiencing, she said she didn't want to do another surgery, as that would result in even more scar tissue forming. So, for now, we're going to lay low and hope that the scar tissue starts to loosen up and the blockages stop. I think because of the back-to-back open surgeries, I just need more time to heal internally. Deep inside, I'm no doc; it's just how I feel. I am currently hitting the gym almost daily. I do cardio and lift weights. Nothing heavy nor strenuous just yet; I'm working up to what used to be my normal slowly so the hernia doesn't come back. I am trying to regain abdominal muscle and core strength. Well, that's it for now. I will check in again as events transpire. Hope everyone has a super fantastic weekend! Be well!
EDIT: I forgot to add that a lot of times I can feel my intestines moving; it's such a weird feeling, LOL. The only time it really bothers me is that when I feel it move, sometimes I get a feeling like I'm about to pee, and it quickly goes away. This I forgot to ask the doc about, but my assumption is like the answer to everything else - scar tissue.

Hi Moe

Happy to hear you are on your way, two steps forward, one step back, but you know the routine. I have had two hernia repairs long before the ostomy came along, one of them just like the pain you describe. I believe it is mesh trapped in scar tissue, but it went away after a few years. 🤪

Hope you keep improving. 👍

Hi MoeMoe

Thanks so much for reporting back to our osto-community. I am sure your update helps many to understand these types of surgeries and some of the results one can expect. Hoping the issues you are currently experiencing will disappear over time. Hugs to you - wishing you a rapid full recovery. jb

Hi Moe, so glad you checked in again. I am so sorry you are still experiencing pain.

Thank you! Truly, the pain isn't terrible; it's completely tolerable. 😁 Hope you are doing well!

Airport Security Tips Living with an Ostomy with April | Hollister