This topic is about someone who recently had a successful colostomy reversal after waiting nine years. They are sharing their positive experience to reassure others who might be considering a similar procedure. Here are some helpful insights and advice from their journey:

1. Recovery can be smooth, with bowel function improving from loose to controlled quickly. Mild soreness is normal and tends to get better each day.

2. Initially, there might be some issues with gut motility, which could require a nasogastric tube for a short period due to nausea. However, this usually resolves quickly.

3. After surgery, it's possible to enjoy a wide variety of foods. Eating small, frequent meals can be beneficial. Foods like bread, meat, fish, vegetables, pasta, potatoes, fruit with skins, nuts, and sweet corn are all on the menu.

4. For those dealing with trapped wind, chocolate and ice cream might help. To firm up stools, having one banana daily and the occasional marshmallow can be effective.

5. It's possible to have controlled bowel movements, with no accidents, even shortly after surgery.

6. Despite not undergoing formal pelvic-floor rehabilitation, it's possible to be an ideal candidate for reversal after many years with an ostomy.

7. Staying positive and not overloading the digestive system can aid in recovery. Improvement is often gradual, so patience is key.

8. Maintaining optimism and trusting the surgeon’s assessment can help manage any anxiety before surgery.

9. Some people worry that a longer wait before reversal might weaken pelvic-floor muscles, but successful long-term cases show that good outcomes are still achievable.