This topic is about a 75-year-old individual who had a colostomy due to a ruptured diverticula and is now considering whether to undergo reversal surgery. They are seeking advice and personal experiences from others who have faced similar decisions. Here are some insights and advice shared by others:

1. Take your time before making a decision. Many seniors, aged 75 to 80, mentioned that it took them a year or more to fully regain their strength after the initial surgery. Only then did they feel ready to evaluate whether living with an ostomy was manageable or if a reversal was worth the potential risks.

2. Consider your current quality of life compared to possible issues after a reversal. Some people who remained pain-free and functional decided against reversal, emphasizing the idea that "if it isn’t broken, why fix it?"

3. Have an open discussion with your colorectal surgeon. Since reversal is an elective procedure, factors like your overall health, the remaining length of your colon, and the condition of your rectum will significantly influence the outcome and how often you might need to use the bathroom.

4. The amount of colon you have left is important:
- If most or all of your colon has been removed, which is common in ileostomy patients, you might experience frequent and urgent bowel movements after a reversal.
- Having more of your colon remaining generally leads to better stool consistency and less urgency.

5. Recognize that an ostomy can have its benefits, such as not needing to constantly search for a bathroom, predictable management, and often fewer complications than a reversal, which can include infections, obstructions, and painful bowel movements.

6. For clothing and discretion regarding bulges or a prolapsed stoma:
- High-waisted elastic pants or leggings that fit snugly but not tightly over the stoma can be helpful.
- Longer tops can help camouflage any pouch outlines.
- Some people prefer tight jeans or support garments instead of hernia belts for comfort.

7. Pouch-management tips to reduce pancaking or odor leaks in public:
- Keep a small amount of air in the bag and add a few drops of baby oil inside to help stool slide down.
- Empty the pouch more frequently or quietly release gas when needed.

8. Psychological support is important. Remind yourself that the ostomy saved your life. Support from family and friends, as well as connecting with other ostomates, can help reduce feelings of self-consciousness.