2-Month Update After Ileostomy Reversal

Hey everybody! It's been a while since I posted, and I hope you all have been well! I had my ileostomy reversal on 5/22/25, and it went great. It took my digestive tract a little time to wake up, but boy, when it did, lol. Also, as a rule of thumb (since I lost 4 inches of intestines), if I feel like I need to take a bowel movement, I go straight to the bathroom. As a result, I have not dealt with any incontinence. I've gained some weight from being able to eat what I want again, and now I'm working on losing it.

My wound healed great! It was a process, and packing it daily was a welcomed change of pace.

I'm grateful to have been able to have a reversal, and if you have questions, I'll help in any way I can.

Hi, I have the option to have reversal surgery, but I am a bit dubious; hearing of aftereffects such as constant bum leaks is not what I want. I am managing my stoma well. I also feel nervous about going back to the hospital, having spent 5 months admitted there. How long were you in the hospital after your operation? .... and how long was it before you felt back to normal again?

That's great news! I'm so happy things are going well for you. I will be having my ileostomy reversal surgery next week and am hoping things go just as smoothly. 🤞🏼

Well done, madam. Good for you! 👍

I'm hoping the same for you!

My Ostomy Journey: LeeAnne | Hollister

Thank you.

I stayed in the hospital for 3 days after my procedure. I didn't experience any leaking or anything like that. I passed gas in the hospital, and they let me go home based on that. Maybe on the second or third day home, I had a massive bowel movement, and after that, I have felt like myself. Again, when I feel like I have to have a bowel movement, I go to the bathroom immediately because I know I have a shorter digestive tract now, and I think that helps me prevent those issues.

So happy for you…😁🥳

Good to hear about a positive experience with an ileo reversal. I've about decided not to have mine reversed - partly due to my age and partly due to the potential issues after reversal that I've heard about.

Curious to know how much colon you still have? I lost part of mine due to colon tumor removal.

Glad to hear good experiences from the reversal. I have mine scheduled next month.
Just by chance, did you have the intestine removal due to diverticulitis?   

I had also part of my large intestine removed, not sure at which level, but I was told that it is the most common area where the diverticulum forms. It's worrying what the effect will be once I get reconnected.

I mean I'm really sick of the pouch system, and I'm willing to get the reversal. I think it is better to have another opportunity to deal with the digestive issues rather than keep coping with an ileostomy.   

All the very best with your reversal. I hope it goes well. Keep us posted. 🙏

Hey there! How would you describe your quality of life now after your reversal? Have you had any regrets about your decision? It's about that time for me to make a decision. I'm getting along fairly well now with my ileostomy, though young and Crohn's in remission. I have 2 little boys that need their daddy to be ready for action at all times, and I'm fearful that a reversal may impact my ability significantly. In addition, my surgeon insists that I be able to hold a 500 ml enema before he will consider doing my reversal! That seems like an impossible goal! Is that a request made by all surgeons or just mine??

Thanks!!

Hello, I am so happy to hear that your surgery was a success! Our stories are very similar, but endometriosis landed me with both a colostomy and an ileostomy in March of this year. I get my colostomy reversed and endometriosis excision at the end of October, and I'm getting pretty nervous about the surgery. Praying that all is well with you!