Anyone had a loop ileostomy converted to one single end ?
In 2012 I had cervical cancer with a mass so large, it could not be surgically removed. Instead, ureteral stents were placed for backed up kidneys, which I wore for a year. Then chemo and radiation was administered for about six weeks. After that treatment was completed, I went to a hospital in a different county for a three day stay for brachy therapy, another radiation treatment. I was grateful that my life was saved, but my colon was never the same after cancer treatment. A few months later, I began having chronic bloody diarrhea. The only help offered to me was a course of sulfasalazine. I was diagnosed with proctitis, colitis, enteritis, and large oozing ulcers. Rectal bleeding continued. Two years later I developed severe anemia. I ended up in the hospital for a three day stay with three 450 cc bags of blood and one bag of iron. So again, my life was saved, and I will always be grateful to my internist for rushing me to the hospital. So seven years later, Fall 2022 a recto/vaginal fistula developed. My guess is that my largest rectal ulcer ate its way into my vagina. The result of that is too terrible to describe. Needless to say, I was very happy to have an ileostomy. So now you know my story. Living with an ileostomy is a breeze compared to what I have been through. Now I replace my base and bag every three days. I have deep red irritation and red bumps from leakage. Stoma nurses have been of no help. I believe that I have this issue because my lower small stoma is almost flat. Cutting out the base to the correct size for a good fitting is challenging. I would love very much to have one single stoma. So I have a question for someone out there. Has anyone had this procedure done? To convert a loop ileostomy to one single end ileostomy? I have been to two proctologists who stated that they could not do it. I keep thinking that it’s just a matter of a surgeon with more experience. Am I wrong? Has anyone had this particular surgery done?
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Wow hardingv, Yours is the first indication that what I was thinking about - Pouch removal - is really a "thing." Thank you so much for sharing. -Dave