This topic revolves around a 71-year-old woman who, after dealing with complications from diverticulitis, received an ileostomy. Now, she is considering whether to keep it permanently instead of opting for a reversal surgery that her doctors have offered. She is seeking advice on whether her decision is sensible and what steps she should take if she chooses to keep the ileostomy.

Here are some insights and advice shared by others:

- Many people agree that choosing not to have a reversal is a perfectly reasonable decision. Some have made the same choice or had it made for them and are content living with a permanent ileostomy.

- If she decides to keep the ileostomy permanently, the only necessary step is to decline the reversal surgery. There are no additional procedures required beyond the usual care for an ostomy.

- There are several quality-of-life considerations against having a reversal:
1. Returning to pre-surgery bowel issues such as pain, urgency, and the constant need to find a bathroom.
2. After a reversal, there is a high risk of experiencing frequent, urgent, and liquid bowel movements, which can make life feel like it's centered around the toilet.
3. The output from an ileostomy can be harsh on the skin around the anus if bowel movements resume through the anus, potentially causing chronic irritation that is difficult to manage.

- Generally, colostomy reversals have better outcomes than ileostomy reversals. A successful ileostomy reversal often requires that most of the large intestine is intact and healthy, which is not the case for many ileostomy patients.

- Several people have shared that their lifestyle and comfort have significantly improved with a permanent ileostomy compared to their life before surgery, and they have no regrets about declining a reversal.