Any successful Stoma reversal experiences? What is the timeline?

I had reversal of ileostomy I had had for 2 1\2 years. At first my colon revolted as it hadn't seen food for all that time. It was a lot of trial and error but found that 5 tiny high protein meals a day worked best during the healing process. I also had double hernia repair with mesh at the same time. I had a wound vac for 5 months to close the abdominal wound. Good luck!

Had surgery on the 10th.Got home on the 13th. So far so good. Never could have imagined how much importance the surgeon put on passing gas. Luckily, I remembered the old song Beans beans the musical fruit the more you eat the more you toot. The more you toot the better you feel. Let's have beans at every meal! And you were correct so far no major bowel problems

@sacul2, so good to hear that the reversal went well. How are you doing now 10 days later?

So far basically zero problems. Actually, had a beer and a burger for lunch. One bowel movement was like a Vienna sausage the next one Jumbo the elephant would have been proud!

In March 2023, I had approx. half my colon removed, because of a volvulus (twisted colon, not cancer). I was given an ileostomy because a 6 month rest for my colon was supposed to help it heal. I have a successful re-connection in Oct 2023.

After the re-connection, I sometimes soiled myself. I had to be very careful to pass gas only on the toilet, because my colon had forgotten how to tell the difference between gas and stool. This problem slowly righted itself. I also took dextrin to firm up my stool.

Now (May 2025) I mostly have normal but soft bowel movements, 2-3 times a day. Occasionally my colon decides to pass what looks like dark brown water--lots of it. Gastroenterologist says this is caused by the gastrocolic reflex. I cannot identify anything in my daily eating that clearly triggers the reflex.

Despite these problems, I very much prefer re-connection to keeping the ostomy.