This topic is about a 68-year-old individual who is contemplating whether to go through with a colostomy reversal surgery. After having an emergency colostomy due to diverticulitis and other complications, they are now considering keeping the stoma instead of having another surgery. They are seeking advice and insights from others who have faced similar decisions.

Here are some points to consider:

- The current stoma was created due to diverticulitis with complications like perforations, peritonitis, and abscesses.
- The individual has great confidence in the surgeon who performed the initial life-saving surgery.
- They are just beginning to weigh their options and have received mixed reactions from family members.

Advice and insights from others include:

1. Consider factors such as the type of ostomy, the medical reason for it, estimated recovery time, trust in your healthcare team, potential changes in function after reversal, and the depth of your own research.
2. Take your time with the decision; there is no rush to undergo the reversal surgery.
3. Read first-hand accounts from others who have been in similar situations. This can provide valuable insights into both positive and negative outcomes.
4. Remember that the decision is ultimately yours. While family and friends can offer advice, you are the one who will live with the outcome.
5. Some positive experiences with reversal include:
- A member who had a colostomy reversed along with hernia repair reported a quick return to normal bowel habits and less pain than the initial surgery.
- Another member had an ileostomy reversed after 3½ months and experienced a smooth recovery.
6. Positive experiences with keeping a permanent stoma include:
- A member who suffered from bowel problems for 18 years opted for a permanent stoma and now enjoys life with it, wishing they had made the decision sooner.
- Another member chose to keep their ileostomy and has no regrets about skipping the J-pouch option.
7. General guidance includes:
- Ensure you have complete confidence in your surgical team.
- Consider quality-of-life trade-offs such as hernias, appliance management, urgency, frequency, and potential new complications from reversal.
- Look for stories of people who no longer post online, as many with successful outcomes simply move on.
- Whatever decision you make, ensure it aligns with your lifestyle and comfort, and that the reasons are yours alone.