Preparing For An Ostomy Reversal
I have surgery this Friday to get my temporary illiostomy reversed - yes, I’m very excited. But, in all honesty, a bit nervous as well. I mean, the last few months have been great in the sense that I’ve been eating whatever I want. My energy is back, I’m working, I feel on top of the world.
Now, after this reversal, my diet will be very restricted for weeks, I have to go through recovery and I also run many risks again - sigh…
Anyways, as I am now meeting doctors and hearing about it, I figured I would keep everyone reading up-to-date as well as to what I am expecting and experiencing.
1. I cannot eat the day before
2. The procedure is pretty short - about 45 minutes to 60 minutes - They say they don’t have to make any major incisions, just connect me right from the stoma hole.
3. In the hospital for 5-7 days after procedure (waiting for the colon to start up again).
4. Light NO FIBER diet for 4-6 weeks post surgery.
They are saying that the area they reconnect has a tendency to get a bit swollen, narrowing the passageway, so nothing that could get blocked there.
Here are the risks I face:
- Infection (inside and where they close the stoma)
- Leakage (where they connect the intestines)
- Inflammation (Where they connect)
- Fistulas formation (where they connect)
- Blockage (food getting stuck where they connect)
All in all, my doctors are very confident. I have been very healthy the past months and I am hoping for the best! Wish me luck!
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6 Responses to “Preparing For An Ostomy Reversal”
1 Sherry 17 January 2007 @ 3:50 pm
I wish you all the luck in the world.. I am new to this (Ostomy bag) and was searching for Ostomy Reversal and came across your article… I have not been able to find what I really need.. step by step procedures for reversal which I am going to have in June of 2007… GOOD LUCK and GOD BLESS
2 spikey 24 January 2007 @ 3:57 am
My husbabnd plans to have this done in May,after our son plays his last year of college baseball.I hope that all has gone well with you and that we hear from you again. i will keep you in my prayers.
3 asingal 26 January 2007 @ 4:34 am
Hey guys,
I will try my best to put up my final notes about the reversal and what to expect.
It seems that to each their own - most have NO problem at all, mine ended up not being so smooth, just because I got a bit unlucky.
HOWEVER, I just had the final surgery (hopefully) in which they corrected the area of joining again and they say I should be good to go now.
Mainly, the sucky part is that you can expect a fair amount of gas and diarrhea as your colon gets used to turning back on.
Anik
4 amlandefeld 30 January 2007 @ 2:18 am
Good thoughts will bring you the best in this process of reversal. There is an adjustment time. I have read all of the available info from various sources. All contain the negative part of reversals, but when you feel good and the reversal is good, one never seems to comment or to take the time to comment. I am having my reversal done this Friday 02/02/2007. Yes, I am scared. I am hoping for the best. Afterall, the before was the worst ever and I managed to live when everyone thought I would die because my colon ruptured days before I went to the hospital ER. Please keep the world informed and I will keep you in my prayers. Again, I am hoping for the best and I know there will be an adjustment period and I know there are POSSIBLE problems. The colostomy has problems also.
Take care of you!
Anne
5 Robin 20 March 2007 @ 1:11 pm
My husband had his reversal in Jan. 2007 and is doing fairly well so far. However he still has bad days when he is stuck to the toilet. Also, he is having problems gaining weight because of this and he has fatigue. He is trying to work and his work is stressful and that compounds the situation. He is now taking vitamins so hopefully that will help him. Any encouragement will be greatly appreciated. It has been a little more than 3 months post surgery.
6 Matt 7 August 2007 @ 8:00 pm
Hello everyone, I have had a colostomy for well most of my life. I was born with heirschbrungs deseise. from the time I was only a couple months old till now (25 yrs). But now that I am getting older I have been considering my options. I’ve been trying to find out as much info about the reversal as possible. most of the info I have been able to find is out of date. thanks again.
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