This topic is about someone who recently had ileostomy surgery and is experiencing a painful bulge near their stoma. They are concerned it might be a hernia and are seeking advice and insights from others who have had similar experiences. Here are some helpful points and advice shared by others:

- It's important to rest and avoid lifting heavy objects to allow the surgical site to heal properly. Pain and changes in the area around the stoma can continue for several weeks after surgery.

- A parastomal hernia can occur if there is a weakness in the abdominal wall, but surgeons typically use strong sutures to close the area, so the risk is not necessarily higher than for others.

- One person shared their recovery timeline: they had their ostomy for 10 months, spent six days in the hospital for the reversal, and had complete wound closure at eight weeks, although they still experience some unsettled gut function.

- The person is scheduled to see home-health staff soon and hopes to receive guidance on their concerns.

- They are also curious about how long others had to wait for their reversal surgery and what their experiences were like.