Ostomy Reversal - Seeking Support and Advice

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Gemmas80

I have been rubbish on here - only made a few posts and then vanished to 'normal' life but I think that's a good thing. I am a 33-year-old professional single mum of one and I coped pretty well, I think, with having a stoma for 2 years. I have just had my final appointment with the nurse (for dressing checking) four weeks after my reversal surgery.



I'd be happy to chat with anyone who's recently 'gained' a stoma and wants to talk to someone who's been in their shoes or anyone hoping for a reversal.



We're a special club of special people.



Keep strong.



xxx

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musicboxx
Hi
Gemmas80, I have had a colostomy now for two years. February 2012, I had a failed attempt at reversal. I had gone to the same surgeon who had performed my life-saving emergency surgery to do the reversal. So, he has referred me to a specialist who only does colon/rectal surgeries, so I think I might have a better chance. At least I am hopeful, but scared. This will be the last final attempt, and then it will have to be permanent, he says. Wow. I am in the process now of getting my body and mind ready for the surgery. I joined a ladies' fitness club in May, and I need to lose a few more pounds. When I go back for my next visit, I will begin pre-surgery bloodwork, etc..
Nervous...
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Kenneth82

Would love to hear stories on why reversals fail. How long it takes for the reversal. Like how long are you in the hospital. Any info would help. I was told 6 months to a year before a reversal. I wonder, would I be better off waiting the full year?

NEWTON1100

HELLO, I had my colostomy in Oct 2010. I still have it. I just can't bring myself to get the reversal done. Everyone says, "Oh, it will be fine." Well, I'm not so sure. I'll just stick it out till I'm ready, I guess.

plane57
I had an emergency colostomy (Hartmann's) done in October 2012 for a ruptured colon. Recovery was the usual pain, bloated belly, "why me" kind of stuff. I was back at work teaching high school in January. I was reasonably comfortable with the bag (used the Hollister products). I had some reluctance to go for the reversal but didn't want to dwell on possible problems. I was afraid I would wake up with the colostomy still there. My surgeon said he would try to do the reversal with a laparoscopic procedure but no promises until he opened me up. So, I had the reversal done in late May (8 weeks ago now). There was a mess of adhesions inside that required opening up my belly down the middle again to clean up the adhesions and reverse the Hartmann's. Now, after 8 weeks, I am glad I did it. Life is not perfect. This is the "new normal". But considering how near death I was in October, this isn't so bad. Bowels are still adjusting. I found prune juice (not too much!) helped with constipation. Yogurt also seems good. No red meat and little bread. Problems include saggy belly, even though I lost ca. 20 pounds over the last months. Also, some various pains near the old stoma site. I still take Motrin and/or Tylenol daily for pain (is that normal??). I need to strengthen abs but worried about a hernia if I do leg lifts or crunches. The bottom line is I am very glad (so far) that I had the reversal done.

Any advice on exercise to safely strengthen my gut (8 weeks post-surgery) would be very much appreciated. Best wishes to those of you planning a reversal. I wish you much success with it.
 
How to Manage Ostomy Leaks with LeeAnne Hayden | Hollister
Past Member
Hello all,
After 5 years of wearing a bag, I have a reversal set for Tues Aug 27, 2013. I am very nervous. I have read a lot about what to expect. I just don't know what will happen. I'm a big guy, okay, FAT lol. I just wonder what pain to expect. Not a whip, but the last surgery that gave me the ostomy, I was in the hospital for a month and had lots of pain. I was told the same pain can be expected during the reversal. Can anyone tell me the recovery time? After 5 years with the bag, no insurance, and no love life, I'm ready to do it. I'll suck up the pain. Any suggestions???
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