This topic is about a person who is considering postponing their scheduled surgery to reverse a colostomy, which was initially done due to diverticulitis. They are weighing the pros and cons of going through with the reversal surgery and are seeking advice and real-life experiences to help make their decision. Here are some insights and advice shared by others:

1. Take your time with the decision. Reversal surgery is elective, so there's no rush. Write down all your questions and discuss them thoroughly with your surgeon.

2. Consider various factors when making your decision, such as your age, quality of life with the stoma, the length of your remaining bowel, the absence of the sigmoid colon, the risk of urgency and frequency, and your willingness to undergo more surgeries.

3. People have had mixed experiences with reversal surgeries:
- Some have had successful reversals and are happy with the outcome, even with some initial challenges.
- Others have faced long-term issues post-reversal and eventually opted for a permanent stoma, finding relief and satisfaction in that choice.

4. If you decide to keep the stoma, many find life to be comfortable and pain-free, preferring this over the risk of bowel urgency.

5. Be prepared for early-stage challenges after reversal, such as high stool frequency, urgency, and skin soreness. It's helpful to have supplies like A&D ointment, shea-butter-based moist wipes, and barrier creams on hand.

6. Ileostomy reversals can be more challenging than colostomy reversals due to more frequent stool output. Careful diet management is crucial to avoid weight loss and poor absorption.

7. For more information, you can visit the IA (Ileostomy & Internal Pouch Association) website at iasupport.org, which offers extensive resources on ileostomies, pouches, and reversals.

8. Many people have experienced successful reversals, and if any problems arise, returning to a stoma is always an option.