Facing anxiety before a scheduled stoma revision surgery is a topic that resonates with many who have been through similar experiences. The originator of this discussion has been living with a stoma that leaks and causes skin issues, despite their first surgeon insisting it was "perfect." After years of dealing with these challenges, they found a new surgeon willing to perform a revision. This will be their fifth surgery in six years, and while they are hopeful that the revision will solve the leakage problem, they are feeling unusually anxious. They are curious if this anxiety is normal and if others have had similar experiences.

Here are some insights and advice shared by others:

1. Feeling anxious or frightened before surgery is completely normal. Many people have reported feeling scared before every operation, even if they have had multiple surgeries in the past.

2. Elective or non-emergency procedures can often cause more apprehension than lifesaving or urgent surgeries. This is because there is more time to think about the possible outcomes.

3. Those who have undergone stoma revisions, including relocations to the opposite side, have found the revision surgery to be less difficult than the original ostomy surgery. These revisions have successfully corrected issues like tight or poorly positioned stomas.

4. If you are looking for a flatter profile after the revision, consider trying a flat wafer instead of a shallow-convex one. Some people have switched appliances after their revision for a better fit.

5. An alternative option mentioned is the K-Pouch (continent ileostomy), which is primarily available in the U.S. This may be considered for Crohn’s patients who are willing to undergo additional surgery.

6. Emotional support is important. Community members offer encouragement, emphasizing that a stoma should not dominate one’s life. They also criticize the previous surgeon for dismissing legitimate concerns.