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Any successful Stoma reversal experiences? What is the timeline?
Is there anybody out there that actually had a good or easy stoma reversal? All I see are horror stories that three months later major problems. Six months a year later etc. etc. I was led to believe that 2 to 4 weeks a could have a burger and a beer with normal bowel movements. No creams or potions or adult diapers.
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@adlib071 I understand about your hair I went through that for 6 months I would not even wash it I would put it on top of my head for at least a week then wash it and my hair is really long even though I was going to have to cut it because of it being so tangled,but a beautician was able to untangle it I'm worried this is going to happen again ,I wonder if 13 months will be to long to have my reversal my first surgery was last March but not having this reversal done 13 months later I'm just really undecided just know your hair will stop falling out and will be beautiful again.
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1 Reaction@catbaloo76 Thank you for your encouraging words! I needed that. I had a thick head of hair last summer before I got sick! I especially noticed it falling out after my surgery in Nov. i gently wash my hair once a week but it is in the sink, my hair brush, on my clothes and comes out if I run fingers through it. Maybe yours wont fall out again since you have had a year to recover. I think reversal is a much shorter procedure (but a long recovery as far as resting, no lifting etc. Maybe because the wound is at the surface instead of deep inside?
As a former hairdresser I can say that hair reacts to any tramatic event such as surgery I had curly hair prior to surgery and now what has returned is very straight Some hair has returned but not back to its original thickness and its been two years However I am 87 and I am sure some of the loss is due to natural aging I am just glad to be alive and enjoy my great grandson who is two There are always wigs if needed
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2 ReactionsMy ileostomy take down (reversal) was scheduled for 6 months after placing it. In the end it was done 7 months after. My abdominal incision was re-opened. I was in hospital for a week, mostly because it took that long for my bowels to start functioning. Had they been more co-operative, I think I'd have been released sooner!
Oh gosh, I don't want to hear horror stories after reversal! yikes! I just had reversal done on Monday (Mar. 9) and was able to go home on Wednesday. I woke up 4 am Tuesday (at hospital) with uncontrollable diarrhea and it was awful!! Lasted about 6 hours and finally stopped. Next day, I got to go home and things started to "thicken up" somewhat. No catastrophes, was able to get to the toilet. (That first "splash" was music to my ears! LOLOLOL!!!) Anyway, elimination is different, but it's not bad. I just have to stay in tune with my body and learn how it works now. I think I will be fine. I am SO HAPPY the ileostomy is GONE!!
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2 Reactions@adlib071 , congratulations on the first "splash" and a successful reversal. How is recovery going?
@colleenyoung I feel GREAT! Just healing and learning my "new normal". Colon working fine. Having no 'accidents', but need to do kegal exercises to help strengthen muscles (since my rectum was removed due to extreme narrowing and inflammation). I had muscle repair too. But I have no regrets about reversal surgery.
I had a volvulus (twisted colon--not cancer), had to have about half of colon removed, had ileostomy for 6 months, then it was reversed. While I wish the volvulus had never, happened, one advantage of a shorter colon is that I'm never constipated--a definite benefit. I'm sure some people don't have a good experience with reversal, and it does take time (maybe 2-3 months) for your insides to get used to the reversal. But I'd never choose to go back to having an ostomy!
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1 Reaction@peggydobbs Same here! I had a 6” colon removed/resection (diverticulitis) and fistula removal in November. However, they got in there and I had severe inflammation and a prolapsed rectum, which they had to remove, along with my appendix.🥴. I had a temporary ileostomy so my colon could heal. On March 9, they did my reversal. I am SO HAPPY to be rid of that bag! I am healing now and getting used to my new normal. In spite of rectum removal, they repaired my muscles down there and so far, everything is going well.
@peggydobbs can I ask your age?? I was scheduled for a reversal in March but was afraid to o have it done because of my age I'm 76 was 75 when I had a perforated bowel I almost died and scared to have the reversal the Dr.has to open me up again.