I am 78 and decided when I got my colostomy that I was not ready for another surgery and decided to wait until I had to have it. If I had a problem that made it mandatory for surgery, It has not happen yet and I fear another surgery. With each one it just becomes closer to a problem happening. So I am not having a reversal. My colostomy surgery was 4/18/2017, and so far no problems. I have had so many surgeries that I fear another one if it is not needed.
I change my bag once a week maybe even 9 days. I always clean my skin well with washing it and them I use an alcohol wipe or two to sterilize the skin around my stoma so I am not putting the flange/faceplate over bacteria that may be left behind from washing. I have never had a skin break out and I really believe it is because I use the alcohol wipes first so no bacteria can grow under the flange.