This topic is about a positive experience following an ileostomy reversal for a person who had diverticulitis. An ileostomy reversal is a procedure to reconnect the bowel after a temporary ileostomy, which was initially created to allow the bowel to heal after surgery. Here are some insights and advice shared by individuals who have gone through similar experiences:

- The person had surgery early in the morning and experienced bowel sounds by midnight, with the first gas and watery bowel movement occurring within hours.
- On the first night, they had two watery bowel movements and were able to move from clear liquids to light meals by the second day.
- They were discharged after one full postoperative day and had their first solid, pain-free bowel movement at home.
- Currently, they experience 2 to 5 bowel movements a day, with occasional mild constipation and some anal tenderness due to disuse.
- The stoma wound was left open, about 2 cm deep, and is packed with gauze and covered with a waterproof dressing. A home nurse changes the dressing daily.
- Pain is minimal and managed with paracetamol and occasional oxycodone.
- Overall, life without the pouch feels great, and the person is open to answering questions and hopes to encourage others.

Advice and insights from others include:

1. Success rates for reversals after diverticulitis are generally better compared to those done for other diseases like Crohn’s.
2. Hospital stays and recovery times can vary. While one person was discharged after a day, another stayed for eight days due to nausea and delayed solid food intake.
3. Early stool patterns often include watery or incontinent diarrhea in the first week, but this usually settles to 1 to 3 controlled bowel movements per day within weeks.
4. Medications like Imodium (loperamide) can help manage bowel output. One user gradually reduced their intake from one tablet every three days to half a tablet every few weeks.
5. Diet should be gradually reintroduced, and many people eventually find they can eat what they want.
6. Most people report minimal pain, though transient fatigue is expected.
7. Maintaining a relaxed and positive mindset can help ease anxiety before reversal surgery.
8. The waiting period between ostomy creation and reversal varies widely, often depending on healing, absence of strictures, and completion of other treatments, ranging from about 3 to 5 months to after chemotherapy or radiation.