Colostomy reversal: What can I expect? Recovery time?

Hi everybody I had a Hartman's procedure done on December 2022 for rectal cancer and have a colostomy bag,I'm trying to gather as much information possible about a possible reversal.I have previously seen my consultant and due to see him again in a couple of weeks when hopefully he can give me a decision as to whether this is possible to do, his concerns to me were that i had aggressive cancer and that I only have 5cms of my rectum left ,has anybody else had this sort of surgery and not been incontinent.

I'm still waiting for a decision on my reversal and it's been over 2 years.

I'm still waiting for a decision on my reversal and it's been over 2 years.

Also see this related discussion:
- Ostomy reversal: My story https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/ostomy-reversal/

@jackson58, have you had your appointment with your doctor to find out if a reversal is possible?

It’s been 10 months since my colostomy reversal and I wanted to give an update. I’m able to eat anything I want now. I have realized that one meal a day has to be a salad or several vegetables per day. I’m still taking a natural stool softener at night. I only get a vague signal that I need to have a bowel movement. No accidents or anything like that, just a different feeling. My incision for the Ostomy is still sore to the touch and I get twinges, like a tearing feeling from time to time. I’m back to a normal weight. I lost 40 Lbs during the diverticulitis nightmare and I looked like a skeleton. I still get fatigue more easily than before my illness, but for the most part, I feel normal. I am careful about lifting anything over 30lbs. With all the abdomen surgeries the risk of a hernia is there and I don’t want that. All and all…..I’m relieved and pleased with my reversal.

It’s been 10 months since my colostomy reversal and I wanted to give an update. I’m able to eat anything I want now. I have realized that one meal a day has to be a salad or several vegetables per day. I’m still taking a natural stool softener at night. I only get a vague signal that I need to have a bowel movement. No accidents or anything like that, just a different feeling. My incision for the Ostomy is still sore to the touch and I get twinges, like a tearing feeling from time to time. I’m back to a normal weight. I lost 40 Lbs during the diverticulitis nightmare and I looked like a skeleton. I still get fatigue more easily than before my illness, but for the most part, I feel normal. I am careful about lifting anything over 30lbs. With all the abdomen surgeries the risk of a hernia is there and I don’t want that. All and all…..I’m relieved and pleased with my reversal.