Hi all.
I'm on my third stoma in eight years. The first one was described by my Swedish lady surgeon as a perfect little rosebud. With all the best intentions, the little flower was not happy to be anything more than a bud and was happier in than out. That was replaced by a not so pretty, but more effective version when the first surgery on my way to a reversal was performed. I had a period of eighteen months, stoma-free, during the last phase of reversal, but since it didn't work, I finally ended up with my current companion, which goes from vast to almost nonexistent depending on its mood, I presume. On each occasion, it has been part of major surgery, but from what I understand, it is a little more complicated than just unstitching, pulling out a bit more intestine, and stitching it back up again!!!! Must be something wrong with me because I find that concept really quite funny. Best wishes for the op and the future.
Marilyn
Plus a hi to Gutenberg, I must get around to replying to your very kind post.