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Why my husband had his temporary ileostomy reversed

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Tam020

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.

Anonymous
  • in reply to Tam020

    Hi Tam, Does your husband still have his rectum left when doing the reversal? I am going for a stoma reversal end Nov. Its very inspired to me that your husband is doing well.

  • in reply to winwar97b207

    Hello,   When he had his original operation to remove the tumour, it was 50/50 where there was enough of his rectum to attached to the bowel.  Luckily there was, so he only needed a temporary stoma.  I’m assuming if you are able to have the reversal it must be attached.  Over 15 months since reversal and he is doing really well.  Can eat what he likes, doesn’t take any tablets, sometimes has to be careful not to eat too much, but other than that he is as good as new,

  • in reply to winwar97b207

      Sorry, I keep pressing enter before i have finished typing.    Make sure you take the time at the beginning, don’t do too much, let everything heal strongly before you start exercising, we just did small walks for the first couple of months.  Things were difficult at first, understanding his new normal, it takes some time for the bowel to work and then get into the routine.  We now go kayaking every week, so he is back to himself.  Good luck and remember it’s a slow journey, but you will be as good as new in no time.   Take care Tam.

  • in reply to winwar97b207

    Last thing, make sure you are doing your pelvic floor exercises, it made a Huge difference with controlling. Things at first.  Good luck. X

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