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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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Hi Wishing,
My reversal was nearly 2 years ago, so I honestly don't remember when the totally liquid BMs improved, but I'd guess a couple of months. As I mentioned in my post, even now, almost 2 years later, I have them once in a while--and can't identify any cause.
I was prescribed cholestyramine powder, taken 3/4 times a day. It didn't make a lot of difference for me--but worth a try. I preferred wheat dextrin (Benefiber/ Walmart has an equivalent). But dextrin can be constipating--also not good us hemi-colectomy folks.
Medications: loperamide/Imodium AD 2mg and/or Lomotil / diphenoxylate+atropine, 2.5+.025. Both are OTC at lower dose but need prescription for higher dose. Again neither worked much for me, but also worth a try.
I suggest husband keeps a BM diary for the 2-4 weeks (# BMs, time of day, consistency, check out Bristol Stool Chart as to how to rate). If no improvement, let doc know.
Thinking back, I'd say only time really had much effect. I was so, so very glad to be rid of the ileostomy bag that I really can't remember much of my initial bowel inconveniences!
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2 ReactionsThank you Peggy! That is really helpful advice. Thanks for all the detail.
I hope by now you have asked your health care provider about the plastic or nylon thing sticking out of the incision. It's possibly a piece of the fascial suture which holds your abdominal muscles together. Those are meant to dissolve within 6 months. It shouldn't be protruding from the incision but I don't have a clue if it's a serious problem or not. Talk to your doctor if you haven't already.
If when doing a reversal or even a ostomy surgery, I would suggest that you vet your doctor make sure to read all reviews. Make sure you go to different search engines for different reviews, I have paid dearly for not having done a search on how good a doctor is before using him for a surgery. My ostomy doctor was a great doctor and I have nothing but good things to say about him but I have not had a reversal because of my age 78 and the fact that I don't want to be laid up from more healing and surgeries. But another surgery I had to have did not go well and if I had done a search and gotten the reviews of that doctor I would not be having the problems that I am experiencing rom that surgery.