Colostomy possible reversal

Hi Ostomates, I am 80 years old and got my first colostomy last July. In fact, I spent my 80th birthday in the hospital 2 days after an ER surgery and “surprise!” A colostomy bag! It has been very hard. This Thursday I am having another colonoscopy which will be through my stoma. I would appreciate hearing from any of you that have had this. I’m very worried. This is to decide if the surgeon will do a reversal. Any tips or experiences you have had will be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Hi SheMc. I also "woke up" after a traumatic accident with a colostomy (I'd lost about 40% of my colon). That was in July 2023. I was told that I would be a candidate for a reversal after enough time for my intestines to fully heal. I had a colonoscopy in January 2024 through my stoma, to assess the condition & healing of my intestines. The idea seemed "weird", but I prepped as one always does for a colonoscopy: low-fiber diet, then a thorough cleaning out of the intestines; plus an enema to clean out the last section of the colon/rectum. The colonoscopy went well, and I was clear for a reversal, which i had in May 2024.

I used a drainable bag for when I was taking the 4 litres of prep.

I find a colonoscopy through my stoma easier than via the rectum, because you can lie on your back during the procedure. In preparation for the first colonoscopy the after the surgery, I didn't irrigate (yet), but they gave me a bag that is used for irrigation because it can hold a lot of liquid.

also....don't forget to take a set of equipment for putting on after your colonoscopy!

Avoiding Ostomy Bag Leaking | Managing Ostomy Leaks with LeeAnne Hayden

I've got an ileostomy so different but wanted to wish you the best of luck with it all..

Tony☺️

All the suggestions so far are spot on... I've had 2 coloscopies through the ostomy.

Prep is normal but have a high output drainable bag to keep up.

Best to use a 2-piece appliance if you can but not required

Bring a new bag to the procedure to be put on afterwards.

It seems odd but is really no muss no fuss. There was no pain.

Be warned that they may examine the rectal stump.

Thank you! How were things after the reversal? Did you have control right away or did you have trouble with sudden poops?

Thank you! I was thinking about that and glad you mentioned it.

My reversal surgery was extremely long, because I had so much scar tissue, but the colon repair went very well. Normalizing my diet and my "bowel habits" was a slow process, partly because I was again on a low-fiber diet. But as I slowly introduced foods, my GI adjusted and my stools became more "normal" (ie, similar to what they had been prior to my colostomy), both in bulk and timing. I wore "depends" for weeks, because once I felt the need to poop, there was NO WAITING - I had little control. Even today (over a year since my reversal), I still need get myself to a toilet quickly when I feel like I need to poop. I am able to eat whatever I want - nothing bothers me at all. It's a new normal. I am so grateful that I could have my ostomy reversed, and that my body has adjusted. It's definitely been a journey. Good luck to you!