This topic is about the typical waiting periods and considerations for reversing an ileostomy, particularly in the context of Crohn’s disease. A young person, three months after an emergency ileostomy, is curious about how long others have waited for their reversal. They have a scope scheduled soon and hope to arrange the reversal shortly after. Here are some insights and advice shared by others:

- Generally, surgeons wait at least 6 months after creating an ileostomy or colostomy before considering a reversal. The exact timing depends on factors like the length of the remaining colon, the reason for the diversion, overall health, and test results such as scopes and contrast studies.

- Before a reversal, expect to undergo scopes and possibly imaging or contrast enemas. These tests help verify healing and ensure there are no strictures or active disease.

- Your overall health is important. Conditions like ongoing inflammation or high surgical risk can delay or even prevent a reversal. Some people choose to keep a permanent ostomy if the risks of reversal outweigh the benefits.

- It’s common to struggle with accepting a new stoma. However, adaptation usually improves over time, and living with a long-term or permanent ostomy can become the new normal.

- If the stoma was created as an emergency measure but the colon is intact and the configuration is a diverting loop, the prospects for reversal are generally better.

- Medications, especially biologics like Remicade, Inflectra, Stelara, Entyvio, and Skyrizi, can affect healing and skin integrity around the stoma. It’s important to monitor and record any side effects.

- One person shared their experience of developing shingles after starting Orencia for arthritis, highlighting the increased risk of infections when on immunosuppressants.

- Keeping detailed notes on pain episodes, emergency department visits, imaging findings, and the effects of biologics can be very helpful for discussions with your surgical and gastrointestinal teams.