This topic is about a positive experience with a colostomy takedown, which is a procedure to reverse a colostomy. The person sharing their story had undergone a Hartmann procedure due to a perforated colon from recurrent diverticulitis. After waiting eight months for complete healing, they had the reversal surgery. Here’s a summary of their experience and some helpful advice:

- The surgery was scheduled early in the morning and by noon, the patient was informed that the reversal was successful. The appendix was also removed due to inflammation.
- Pain was minimal, with the last dose of Tylenol taken the evening after surgery.
- The patient started passing gas by Thursday, began eating solid food by Friday, and was discharged on Saturday after spending three nights in the hospital.

During the first week after surgery:

- Initially, there were no bowel movements, just gas and small clots of blood.
- By day 5, the first bowel movement occurred after starting a stool softener called Colace. The stool was formed and there was only mild soreness.
- By day 7, the patient was having three regular but slightly thinner stools per day, still using Colace and drinking plenty of fluids. There was no urgency, severe diarrhea, or intense pain.

The overall message is that the reversal surgery was much easier than the original ostomy surgery, and positive outcomes can help reduce anxiety for those considering a takedown.

Advice and insights include:

1. Positive outcomes are common but often not shared, as many people who do well simply move on with their lives.
2. Allow adequate healing time; surgeons typically wait 6–8 months after a Hartmann procedure.
3. Expect individual variability; some may experience urgency or diarrhea, while others have minimal issues.
4. Use stool softeners like Colace if constipation occurs after the reversal, and maintain a high fluid intake.
5. Give your body time to heal; even two years after reversal, many people have no regrets.