This topic is about someone preparing for a significant surgery scheduled for April 14. The surgery involves repairing a rectovaginal fistula, possibly reversing an ileostomy, and reconstructing a midline abdominal incision. The person is seeking advice and insights on what to expect and how to prepare for these procedures.

Here are some helpful points and advice shared by others:

- Regarding pain, healing time, and overall experience with fistula repair, it's important to gather insights from those who have undergone similar procedures to set realistic expectations.

- If the ileostomy reversal occurs, the person wonders if they can still be active in the ostomy community. Many members encourage staying involved, as those who have had reversals often continue to offer valuable support and guidance.

- Experiences with midline incision re-do vary. One member shared that they waited about five months after their last surgery before having a scar revision, which allowed the scars to mature and made the revision more durable.

- The scar-revision surgery might involve work on the abdominal wall without entering the abdominal cavity, which can make recovery easier. In some cases, the bellybutton might be removed due to detachment and infection risk, but the cosmetic outcome can still be satisfactory.

- For those who have experienced a reversal, the surgical pain is often similar to the initial ostomy creation and can be managed with standard medications. However, there is a possibility of postoperative ileus, where the intestines take time to function properly, which might require additional care.

- A general suggestion is to consider postponing any cosmetic or structural scar revision until it's certain that no further open abdominal procedures will be needed, to avoid unnecessary surgeries.