Constipation, gas and cramping year after reversal surgery: Normal?

@lindadiane, welcome. I added your question to the Ostomy support group and the Digestive Heath support group. I hope you saw the helpful post from @alicevondall. I'm also tagging a few members like @cgrogers @barbwith3cats @mary6787 @rhs @timt293 @blinken @jvitanza1 who have had a reversal and can share more about their experiences.

Linda, have you had the issues with IBS, constipation, gas, etc. since the reversal or are these recent symptoms? When did you have the reversal done?

I had my ileostomy reversed in 2019 due to chronic constipation and it worked well until 6 months ago. My gastroenterologist sent me to a surgeon snd all she wanted to do was to operate and do the same operation and I said NO. I tried physical therapy and when she did an internal procedure, she damaged something close to my rectum and made it almost impossible for me to have a bowel movement. I was having a real hard time before that and then it was impossible. Of course she didn’t do anything wrong according to her supervisors. I started eating high bran foods daily, black beans, squash or yams, prunes, water, teas, salads and anything that could help me with my bath room issues. I started MiraLAX twice daily and high probiotics to help. It’s a struggle to have a now with this routine. Walks. And I also have chronic migraines and careful about anything new to try to help with this problem. My doctor suggested Linzess , it does help but the cost of these pills are over $567.00 a month for 30. Being a retired senior citizen it out of reach for me to handle. Any suggestions would help. Don’t know why it stopped working, my doctor couldn’t answer the question.

I had my ileostomy reversed in 2019 due to chronic constipation and it worked well until 6 months ago. My gastroenterologist sent me to a surgeon snd all she wanted to do was to operate and do the same operation and I said NO. I tried physical therapy and when she did an internal procedure, she damaged something close to my rectum and made it almost impossible for me to have a bowel movement. I was having a real hard time before that and then it was impossible. Of course she didn’t do anything wrong according to her supervisors. I started eating high bran foods daily, black beans, squash or yams, prunes, water, teas, salads and anything that could help me with my bath room issues. I started MiraLAX twice daily and high probiotics to help. It’s a struggle to have a now with this routine. Walks. And I also have chronic migraines and careful about anything new to try to help with this problem. My doctor suggested Linzess , it does help but the cost of these pills are over $567.00 a month for 30. Being a retired senior citizen it out of reach for me to handle. Any suggestions would help. Don’t know why it stopped working, my doctor couldn’t answer the question.