Any successful Stoma reversal experiences? What is the timeline?

Posted by sacul2 @sacul2, Feb 27, 2025

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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jaspithill1946 | @jaspithill1946 | Mar 31 5:23am

I had an ileostomy reversal at age 78, four months after surgery. No problems or complications.

catbaloo76 | @catbaloo76 | Apr 1 7:24am

In reply to @jaspithill1946 "I had an ileostomy reversal at age 78, four months after surgery. No problems or complications." + (show)

@jaspithill1946 Thank you for letting me know that.

peggydobbs | @peggydobbs | Apr 5 11:22am

To catbaloo76: I was 79 when ileostomy was placed. 6 months later ileostomy was reversed--at that point I was 80. I would have died if I hadn't had the first surgery--but my near death experience was caused by my condition (volvulus), not by the surgery. The surgery saved my life. As far as I know, there's no medical necessity to reverse an ostomy if you don't want to, though I'd ask your doctor about this.

I spent about week in the hospital after the reversal surgery, mostly because they won't let you go home until you have a bowel movement--and it took that long for my bowels to start working again.

catbaloo76 | @catbaloo76 | Apr 7 7:29am

In reply to @peggydobbs "To catbaloo76: I was 79 when ileostomy was placed. 6 months later ileostomy was reversed--at that..." + (show)

@peggydobbs Thanks I hope i will be able to go a day or so I've heard of others going home in a couple of days. Glad your doing great.

jvitanza1 | @jvitanza1 | Apr 8 4:58am

I am 2 1/2 years out from my reversal and have no problems.I lead a completely normal life and eat normal. I waited six months before the reversal as the doctor had recommended. I was in the hospital 2 nights and left the third morning. I was told to eat soft food for 2 to 3 weeks after, Which I followed orders and had no problems! By the way, I was 70 years old when I had this done.Wishing you the absolute best

catbaloo76 | @catbaloo76 | Apr 8 8:00am

I went to my Dr. Yesterday and he told me he will attach my colon back where it belongs but give it time to heal he may have to give me an illotomy for three to 4 months and then make a small slit to reattach my intestine to where it belongs ,but to reattach my colon he has to open me up,also said I may have to much scar tissue and may not even be able to do the reversal so is it worth doing the reversal?

adlib071 | @adlib071 | Apr 15 11:47pm

In reply to @catbaloo76 "@peggydobbs can I ask your age?? I was scheduled for a reversal in March but was..." + (show)

@catbaloo76 They won't have to open you up again like they did for your surgery. My reversal only took 45 minutes! They simply make a little bit larger opening where your stoma is. They pull up the intestine an suture it back together, poke it back in there and suture the opening closed. It is a MUCH easier procedure than your surgery was. Don't be afraid, it is such a relief to get rid of that bag! (I am going to be 73 in June, so I'm not that much younger than you.)

catbaloo76 | @catbaloo76 | Apr 16 6:19am

In reply to @adlib071 "@catbaloo76 They won't have to open you up again like they did for your surgery. My..." + (show)

@adlib071 My Dr. Said he would have to open me up again that is if I had no scar tissue and if I did he could not do it, and then he said he may have to let my colon heal after sewing it to whatever that goes to and for that to happen he would give me a ilon llioscopy and may have that for 4 months and then I would come back in for surgery again to attach that. I decided to keep the bag I still have nightmares for my first surgery I was way to scared with what he told me

sacul2 | @sacul2 | Apr 16 8:39am

I thought about keeping the bag for the same reason. Glad I did not. My only problem is sometimes I go 3 days without going to bathroom and that scares me. makes me think I am blocked again and may have to start all over.