Hello my name is Tam,
ihave read quite a few comments about whether to have a temporary ileostomy reversed or not and the concerns about LARS. I’m not an expert, but I wanted to share my husband’s (71 yrs) story, to help others.
He had the reversal operation in July 2024. He experienced some minor LARS side effects for 6 weeks following surgery. He needed to visit the loo again, straight after thinking he was finished. He learnt to just be a little patient and stay in the loo until he was sure he had finished. It would be quite loose at the end of the visit, but he felt it was all controlled. He did have a couple of accidents, because he kept thinking he should wait, but that was not the right thing to do. Day by day things started to improve, he limits his fibre intake, which has made a difference, also he is still doing the pelvic floor exercises and if we are going out for the day he will take loperamide 1x 2mg. This just seems to get him through the day with no issues.
He really struggled with the temporary ileostomy and there wasn’t any doubt about having the reversal. He is happy now and able to listen to his body and knows when he needs to go or wait. It takes a little while, but things are improving and he is close to his new normal. He is so happy not to have the stoma anymore. The scares have healed really well and he goes swimming with our grandchildren in school holidays. Something he wouldn’t do with a stoma.
I hope this gives some support, to anyone in this situation.
take care and best wishes
Tam.
