I had bowel perforation in August, and a Hartmann's procedure was performed. I received a letter that says I have a consultation for colorectal surgery. Does anyone know what this means? I did advise I wanted a reversal, but I'm now having huge anxiety that it can't be done or they have found something else. They haven't said they are performing any tests, just the date. The surgery was completely unexpected, and therefore I'm fearing the worst. Thank you.
EmmaC
Oct 28, 2025 10:19 am
IGGIE
Oct 28, 2025 12:23 pm
G-Day Emma,
You should not have been left not knowing what the surgeon is going to do. Get back to him/her and find out in detail what he is planning on doing.
Regards, IGGIE
MeetAnOstoMate is a remarkable community of 41,407 members.
“Every morning with my coffee, I read here and feel wrapped in warmth - I hardly post, but it still feels like family.”
“Our oncologist literally wrote down the link; they said more patients need this website.”
“This place pulled me out of the dark. I went from lurking to living again.”
“At 3am, someone’s awake somewhere in the world. I’m never alone here.”
Mysterious Mose
I take part in these forums almost every day. They and the people that contribute to them have made all the difference in my having the courage to live a normal life with an ileostomy. The people here are marvelous and come from all walks of life and from all over the world. Hearing what others have lived through has really helped me put my own experience in perspective. I highly recommend all ostomates and caretakers of ostomates to come join us.
Ben38
Oct 28, 2025 1:31 pm
Sounds like a normal outpatient appointment to discuss with the consultant how you're feeling and how your health is, and if reversal is possible, and if you want one, and if any further surgery/treatment is or isn't needed. I would either phone your consultant's secretary or your stoma nurse to put your mind at ease.
Advertisement
Hollister
Living with an ostomy doesn’t mean you have to live with stoma fluid leakage or skin irritation.
Learn how convex skin barriers work and what benefits they offer.
Learn how convex skin barriers work and what benefits they offer.
Karliegirl33
Oct 28, 2025 2:07 pm
To alleviate your anxiety, call and ask why you received this letter. As another member stated, it could just be protocol for follow-up after your surgery and to discuss your desire to have a reversal.
Best of luck!
Heidi B.
Oct 28, 2025 4:43 pm
I agree with Karliegirl. I just received my notice for my annual colonoscopy, so before worrying too much, find out from your surgeon if it was just a protocol, post-op follow-up type of letter. Hang in there!
My Ostomy Journey: April | Hollister
DexieB
Oct 28, 2025 8:21 pm
Hi, I also had a bowel perforation (from a biopsy) and Hartmann's procedure. The letter is likely to discuss the possibility of reversal, but I understand the anxiety all too well! The worst is behind you - just give them a call and find out. Best wishes to you!
indililli02
Oct 29, 2025 11:04 am
Hi, I agree, ring the surgeon's office and get an explanation. Sadly, some doctors and hospital staff have no concept of the anxiety we as patients go through. Diagnosing cancer and other serious illnesses can be a daily occurrence for them; for us, our whole world and concept of mortality change. So we have to take a deep breath, stand up tall, and demand we are fully informed of what's going on.
Vague letters and impossible-to-understand medical speak are not acceptable.
Good luck, Jennifer.
ShellyC
Oct 30, 2025 7:05 pm
It will be your follow up appointment with the consultant. Colorectal Surgery will be the name of the clinic. I had a brief follow up a few weeks back and it was just getting answers to questions. Scheduled appointment is for January.
Advertisement
Hollister
In addition to your pouching system, you may require the use of an ostomy accessory to enhance the performance of your system.
Learn more about ostomy accessories, and when to use them.
Learn more about ostomy accessories, and when to use them.
EmmaC
Nov 01, 2025 8:37 am
Thank you, Shelly. I hope your surgery goes well. Did you need to have any tests done? I'm very anxious. This happened out of the blue, and I'm still trying to get to grips with it all. x
ShellyC
Nov 03, 2025 7:36 am
I had my surgery in July, completely unplanned. I went to A&E with a 'tummy ache' and was in theatre within 12 hours! Burst diverticulitis and peritonitis made it an emergency surgery, and to wake up with a colostomy was a massive shock.
It took a while to get my head around it all, and I had nightmares for a while along with lots of tears and pity parties, thinking that I would never be able to cope with it all.
However, by the time I left the hospital two weeks later (due to the help of a wonderful stoma nurse called Angela), I had made friends with my new stoma (Sami), and I felt that I would be able to look after it once I got home.
Obviously, that's only the start of a long journey of adjustments. I've still not been on a night out as I don't feel comfortable with the idea yet - plus my handbag has now doubled in size.
So next month we are off to Portugal for a week. It's an area we are familiar with, so I know the places with the best loos. However, I am stressed about the flight and the amount of extra stuff I need to carry in my hand luggage. Also, airport security and whether Sami is going to inflate on the plane.
Travel insurance whacked a huge premium onto my policy to allow me to go, so I'm just planning, planning, planning!
IGGIE
Nov 03, 2025 10:21 am
G-Day Shelly,
Looks like you are getting used to Sami. As for the air travel, don't eat big the day you're leaving and empty the bag just before boarding, and take more products than you think you need just in case. Put a few in your take-on luggage just in case they lose your main luggage. Your bag most probably will not blow up on board, but if it does, just go to the loo and burp it. Have a great holiday.
Regards IGGIE