Ostomy Reversal - Seeking Support and Advice

I have been rubbish on here - only made a few posts and then vanished to 'normal' life but I think that's a good thing. I am a 33-year-old professional single mum of one and I coped pretty well, I think, with having a stoma for 2 years. I have just had my final appointment with the nurse (for dressing checking) four weeks after my reversal surgery.

I'd be happy to chat with anyone who's recently 'gained' a stoma and wants to talk to someone who's been in their shoes or anyone hoping for a reversal.

We're a special club of special people.

Keep strong.

xxx

Hi
Gemmas80, I have had a colostomy now for two years. February 2012, I had a failed attempt at reversal. I had gone to the same surgeon who had performed my life-saving emergency surgery to do the reversal. So, he has referred me to a specialist who only does colon/rectal surgeries, so I think I might have a better chance. At least I am hopeful, but scared. This will be the last final attempt, and then it will have to be permanent, he says. Wow. I am in the process now of getting my body and mind ready for the surgery. I joined a ladies' fitness club in May, and I need to lose a few more pounds. When I go back for my next visit, I will begin pre-surgery bloodwork, etc..
Nervous...

Would love to hear stories on why reversals fail. How long it takes for the reversal. Like how long are you in the hospital. Any info would help. I was told 6 months to a year before a reversal. I wonder, would I be better off waiting the full year?

HELLO, I had my colostomy in Oct 2010. I still have it. I just can't bring myself to get the reversal done. Everyone says, "Oh, it will be fine." Well, I'm not so sure. I'll just stick it out till I'm ready, I guess.

I had an emergency colostomy (Hartmann's) done in October 2012 for a ruptured colon. Recovery was the usual pain, bloated belly, "why me" kind of stuff. I was back at work teaching high school in January. I was reasonably comfortable with the bag (used the Hollister products). I had some reluctance to go for the reversal but didn't want to dwell on possible problems. I was afraid I would wake up with the colostomy still there. My surgeon said he would try to do the reversal with a laparoscopic procedure but no promises until he opened me up. So, I had the reversal done in late May (8 weeks ago now). There was a mess of adhesions inside that required opening up my belly down the middle again to clean up the adhesions and reverse the Hartmann's. Now, after 8 weeks, I am glad I did it. Life is not perfect. This is the "new normal". But considering how near death I was in October, this isn't so bad. Bowels are still adjusting. I found prune juice (not too much!) helped with constipation. Yogurt also seems good. No red meat and little bread. Problems include saggy belly, even though I lost ca. 20 pounds over the last months. Also, some various pains near the old stoma site. I still take Motrin and/or Tylenol daily for pain (is that normal??). I need to strengthen abs but worried about a hernia if I do leg lifts or crunches. The bottom line is I am very glad (so far) that I had the reversal done.

Any advice on exercise to safely strengthen my gut (8 weeks post-surgery) would be very much appreciated. Best wishes to those of you planning a reversal. I wish you much success with it.

Stories of Living Life to the Fullest from Ostomy Advocates I Hollister

Hello all,
After 5 years of wearing a bag, I have a reversal set for Tues Aug 27, 2013. I am very nervous. I have read a lot about what to expect. I just don't know what will happen. I'm a big guy, okay, FAT lol. I just wonder what pain to expect. Not a whip, but the last surgery that gave me the ostomy, I was in the hospital for a month and had lots of pain. I was told the same pain can be expected during the reversal. Can anyone tell me the recovery time? After 5 years with the bag, no insurance, and no love life, I'm ready to do it. I'll suck up the pain. Any suggestions???