This topic is about a personal journey through the process of ostomy reversal, which includes preparation, surgery, and a three-month recovery period. The person sharing their experience had a colostomy after an emergency surgery and later underwent a reversal. Here are some key points and insights from their experience:

- Before the surgery, they prepared by switching to clear liquids two days prior and underwent an intestinal cleanse the night before.
- The reversal surgery took over four hours, during which a portion of the large intestine and adhesions were removed, but the ovary and uterus were preserved. The surgical incision was quite large, extending 15 cm above the navel.
- Right after surgery, they had several devices in place for recovery, including an epidural for pain control, a nasogastric tube, a ureteral catheter, an abdominal drain, and a urinary catheter.
- In the hospital, they were not allowed to eat or drink for five days, only using candy and tooth-brushing to keep the mouth moist. After that, they gradually moved to clear liquids and were discharged after ten days.
- At home, their diet started with simple foods like chicken broth and boiled chicken and vegetables. They slowly reintroduced other foods, being cautious with certain items like sodas and crunchy snacks.
- They experienced unexpected fecal incontinence after the surgery, requiring adult diapers, but bowel control returned after about ten days.
- In terms of mobility, they stood up on the third day post-surgery, walked around the house by the first week, returned to work at six weeks, started driving at seven weeks, and began swimming at ten weeks. However, they avoided running or intense workouts due to discomfort.
- A follow-up colonoscopy was scheduled to ensure the intestine was healing properly.
- Psychologically, they dealt with nightmares about pouch leaks but felt much better physically and emotionally compared to the initial ostomy period. They expressed a strong sense of solidarity with others who have ostomies.

Advice and insights from others included viewing surgical scars as "badges of honor," symbolizing survival and resilience through the challenges of both living with an ostomy and undergoing the reversal process.