In a few month, I’ll be having a colostomy reversal. By the time the surgery rolls around, I will have had the Ostomy for 6 months. What can I expect ? Will the recovery be another 12 weeks?
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | May 5 2:48pm
Good questions as you prepare for a colostomy reversal, @barbwith3cats. I'm tagging a few members like @cgrogers@mary6787@rhs@timt293@blinken@jvitanza1 who have had a reversal and can share more about their experience. For example, tips and what they wished they had known. What is recovery like?
I underwent the reversal surgery almost 2 years ago (Sep 2022) at the age of seventy. I was originally operated on to remove the cancer on July 3 2022. I was fortunate that is was stage 2 and I was given a 92% chance of cancer NOT returning. Chemo was an option, but after talking with both my oncologist and my wife, opted against it. So in my case the Ostomy bag was only 2 months. Surgery went well and my recovery went smoothly. I was cleared by my surgeon at six weeks to resume everything without limits. It took me a full year to physically feel as strong as I was prior to surgery (I was 70 at the time, so age played a big part), and at two years now I feel better than I have in years. My new normal is pretty close to my old normal. I've had no bowel issues, appetite good, no pain. The physical part went smoothly, the emotional and mental part takes longer. I hope this helps and hope your recovery is as smooth and uneventful as mine.
I waited 6 1/2 months before my reversal. The doctor that did the original had recommended I wait that long as the recovery would be much easier. I talked to people that had the reversal done after two or three months, They had horrible scarring and the recovery was long. I spent 2 days in the hospital and got out the third morning. I ended up going back to work as a bartender 3 weeks after the surgery, and by the way I’m 70 years old. Make sure you follow the Doctors orders as far as what to eat . I was to eat soft foods and nothing spicy for the first couple weeks and to add things gradually after you see how you feel and if your bowels are moving properly, You are not supposed to get it wet for at least a month as to let it heal. I was lucky that the reversal was laparoscopic so I didn’t have a lot of stitches. That was another plus of waiting to do the reversal after 6 months.I bought clear stick on patches to go over the incision so I could shower. I bought them on Amazon they were maybe 4x6 inches. If you have any specific questions, please let me know and I will be glad to help you out if I have the answers .wishing you the best of luck for a quick recovery like mine.
I waited 6 1/2 months before my reversal. The doctor that did the original had recommended I wait that long as the recovery would be much easier. I talked to people that had the reversal done after two or three months, They had horrible scarring and the recovery was long. I spent 2 days in the hospital and got out the third morning. I ended up going back to work as a bartender 3 weeks after the surgery, and by the way I’m 70 years old. Make sure you follow the Doctors orders as far as what to eat . I was to eat soft foods and nothing spicy for the first couple weeks and to add things gradually after you see how you feel and if your bowels are moving properly, You are not supposed to get it wet for at least a month as to let it heal. I was lucky that the reversal was laparoscopic so I didn’t have a lot of stitches. That was another plus of waiting to do the reversal after 6 months.I bought clear stick on patches to go over the incision so I could shower. I bought them on Amazon they were maybe 4x6 inches. If you have any specific questions, please let me know and I will be glad to help you out if I have the answers .wishing you the best of luck for a quick recovery like mine.
Thank you for your answer. I hope my recovery will go as well as yours. 6 months seems like an eternity, but I want to be fully healed and have an excellent outcome.
Thank you for your answer. I hope my recovery will go as well as yours. 6 months seems like an eternity, but I want to be fully healed and have an excellent outcome.
I underwent the reversal surgery almost 2 years ago (Sep 2022) at the age of seventy. I was originally operated on to remove the cancer on July 3 2022. I was fortunate that is was stage 2 and I was given a 92% chance of cancer NOT returning. Chemo was an option, but after talking with both my oncologist and my wife, opted against it. So in my case the Ostomy bag was only 2 months. Surgery went well and my recovery went smoothly. I was cleared by my surgeon at six weeks to resume everything without limits. It took me a full year to physically feel as strong as I was prior to surgery (I was 70 at the time, so age played a big part), and at two years now I feel better than I have in years. My new normal is pretty close to my old normal. I've had no bowel issues, appetite good, no pain. The physical part went smoothly, the emotional and mental part takes longer. I hope this helps and hope your recovery is as smooth and uneventful as mine.
What was difficult emotionally/mentally? I’m soon to be 75 considering reversal. Up to this point, I’ve only been focusing on the physical recovery realizing if it didn’t go well, I might not recover emotionally.
My emotional / psychological recovery had more to do with the initial diagnosis of cancer and the first surgery and it’s subsequent recovery period. I had a great surgeon, I trusted her unconditionally, so I never worried about the reversal, quite the opposite, I was counting down the days. After the reversal I followed my surgeons instructions to the letter and healed without a problem. The psychological part was anytime I had a little ache, pain, twinge or just plain didn’t feel right, I would worry that something went wrong or the cancer had returned. I didn’t get over that until I had my one later colonoscopy and was assured everything was fine. I still worry from time to time that the cancer will return, but no longer give any thought to something going wrong from the operation. I know it can be difficult to stay positive at times like this, but it sure helps with the your recovery. I wish you only the best and I’m sure your surgery will be a success.
I underwent the reversal surgery almost 2 years ago (Sep 2022) at the age of seventy. I was originally operated on to remove the cancer on July 3 2022. I was fortunate that is was stage 2 and I was given a 92% chance of cancer NOT returning. Chemo was an option, but after talking with both my oncologist and my wife, opted against it. So in my case the Ostomy bag was only 2 months. Surgery went well and my recovery went smoothly. I was cleared by my surgeon at six weeks to resume everything without limits. It took me a full year to physically feel as strong as I was prior to surgery (I was 70 at the time, so age played a big part), and at two years now I feel better than I have in years. My new normal is pretty close to my old normal. I've had no bowel issues, appetite good, no pain. The physical part went smoothly, the emotional and mental part takes longer. I hope this helps and hope your recovery is as smooth and uneventful as mine.
My reversal recovery was, thankfully, uneventful. What led up to the loop colostomy at the age of 78 was traumatic and convoluted so this seemed easy by comparison. The reversal was done 10 months later-the delay was due to an ongoing hunt for the recto-vaginal fistula which occurred during my initial surgery to repair a rectal prolapse and attempt at retrieving an impaction. It was finally determined, since I was no longer passing stool through my vagina (although I continued to do so rectally as well as into the ostomy bag) that the fistula had repaired itself. This is rare, I was told and was also told that it may recur. I make certain, even now, two years later, to follow strict dietary rules (I had to use the trial and error method to figure out what works for me) and to continue to use a guar gum fiber powder every morning as was done in the hospital after the reversal. I also try to drink plenty of water, exercise daily, keep regular hours and rarely leave home before 10 a.m. as things are 'not the same' as before all this started. I don't recall any pain after the procedure. I hope the same is true for you.
My emotional / psychological recovery had more to do with the initial diagnosis of cancer and the first surgery and it’s subsequent recovery period. I had a great surgeon, I trusted her unconditionally, so I never worried about the reversal, quite the opposite, I was counting down the days. After the reversal I followed my surgeons instructions to the letter and healed without a problem. The psychological part was anytime I had a little ache, pain, twinge or just plain didn’t feel right, I would worry that something went wrong or the cancer had returned. I didn’t get over that until I had my one later colonoscopy and was assured everything was fine. I still worry from time to time that the cancer will return, but no longer give any thought to something going wrong from the operation. I know it can be difficult to stay positive at times like this, but it sure helps with the your recovery. I wish you only the best and I’m sure your surgery will be a success.
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Good questions as you prepare for a colostomy reversal, @barbwith3cats. I'm tagging a few members like @cgrogers @mary6787 @rhs @timt293 @blinken @jvitanza1 who have had a reversal and can share more about their experience. For example, tips and what they wished they had known. What is recovery like?
I underwent the reversal surgery almost 2 years ago (Sep 2022) at the age of seventy. I was originally operated on to remove the cancer on July 3 2022. I was fortunate that is was stage 2 and I was given a 92% chance of cancer NOT returning. Chemo was an option, but after talking with both my oncologist and my wife, opted against it. So in my case the Ostomy bag was only 2 months. Surgery went well and my recovery went smoothly. I was cleared by my surgeon at six weeks to resume everything without limits. It took me a full year to physically feel as strong as I was prior to surgery (I was 70 at the time, so age played a big part), and at two years now I feel better than I have in years. My new normal is pretty close to my old normal. I've had no bowel issues, appetite good, no pain. The physical part went smoothly, the emotional and mental part takes longer. I hope this helps and hope your recovery is as smooth and uneventful as mine.
I waited 6 1/2 months before my reversal. The doctor that did the original had recommended I wait that long as the recovery would be much easier. I talked to people that had the reversal done after two or three months, They had horrible scarring and the recovery was long. I spent 2 days in the hospital and got out the third morning. I ended up going back to work as a bartender 3 weeks after the surgery, and by the way I’m 70 years old. Make sure you follow the Doctors orders as far as what to eat . I was to eat soft foods and nothing spicy for the first couple weeks and to add things gradually after you see how you feel and if your bowels are moving properly, You are not supposed to get it wet for at least a month as to let it heal. I was lucky that the reversal was laparoscopic so I didn’t have a lot of stitches. That was another plus of waiting to do the reversal after 6 months.I bought clear stick on patches to go over the incision so I could shower. I bought them on Amazon they were maybe 4x6 inches. If you have any specific questions, please let me know and I will be glad to help you out if I have the answers .wishing you the best of luck for a quick recovery like mine.
Thank you for your answer. I hope my recovery will go as well as yours. 6 months seems like an eternity, but I want to be fully healed and have an excellent outcome.
The six months was after my original ostomy surgery. The recovery after the reversal was a total of maybe six weeks.
What was difficult emotionally/mentally? I’m soon to be 75 considering reversal. Up to this point, I’ve only been focusing on the physical recovery realizing if it didn’t go well, I might not recover emotionally.
My emotional / psychological recovery had more to do with the initial diagnosis of cancer and the first surgery and it’s subsequent recovery period. I had a great surgeon, I trusted her unconditionally, so I never worried about the reversal, quite the opposite, I was counting down the days. After the reversal I followed my surgeons instructions to the letter and healed without a problem. The psychological part was anytime I had a little ache, pain, twinge or just plain didn’t feel right, I would worry that something went wrong or the cancer had returned. I didn’t get over that until I had my one later colonoscopy and was assured everything was fine. I still worry from time to time that the cancer will return, but no longer give any thought to something going wrong from the operation. I know it can be difficult to stay positive at times like this, but it sure helps with the your recovery. I wish you only the best and I’m sure your surgery will be a success.
Do you recall how much colon was left for reattachment?
My reversal recovery was, thankfully, uneventful. What led up to the loop colostomy at the age of 78 was traumatic and convoluted so this seemed easy by comparison. The reversal was done 10 months later-the delay was due to an ongoing hunt for the recto-vaginal fistula which occurred during my initial surgery to repair a rectal prolapse and attempt at retrieving an impaction. It was finally determined, since I was no longer passing stool through my vagina (although I continued to do so rectally as well as into the ostomy bag) that the fistula had repaired itself. This is rare, I was told and was also told that it may recur. I make certain, even now, two years later, to follow strict dietary rules (I had to use the trial and error method to figure out what works for me) and to continue to use a guar gum fiber powder every morning as was done in the hospital after the reversal. I also try to drink plenty of water, exercise daily, keep regular hours and rarely leave home before 10 a.m. as things are 'not the same' as before all this started. I don't recall any pain after the procedure. I hope the same is true for you.
Thank you so much for responding. Wish you peace of mind and continued health.