Stoma Reversal waiting times

I had my ileostomy in October 2017 and am booked I for reversal 25 September- so on my blocks 

once my surgeon said he’d put me on the list I phoned the ‘elective surgery’ department (your surgeons secretary will have the number) and found out a rough date and where I was in the listing

worked for me as originally I was down to be done next year - so I spoke to my surgeon to pull strings - which he did 

you’ll see from my blog that I’ve had a rough time and the hospital owed me one

fingers crossed for the op!!

I’m having my reversal privately on Monday, thanks to my employer. My initial op was in December 2017. On the NHS the reversal would have been booked for January,  but apparently almost certainly cancelled because of the time of year. It is not an NHS protected priority when hospitals are under pressure.

I understand there are two different types of reversal - a quickish one if the ileum has been cut and brought to the skin to relieve the bowel (it gets sewn up and pushed back in, taking about an hour) and a longer one if the stoma is the end of the ileum and needs to be completely reconnected (big op, several hours, big wound). Mine is the latter! A number of potential complications, including the join not taking, sepsis etc.  Hoping all will go smoothly.

I’m betting on it being a tricky one as nhs wouldn’t allow it to be done private hospital not having all the needful and possible kit!

thanks for the heads up though - I’ll ask which it is - although I believe as I have 1.3m attached to the stomach and ending in the stoma - there must be a fair length of ileum unused and tied off.  So that should be an easy op per you steer 

there has been mention of adhesions - hope not 

cheers 

nick 

Hi Nick - mine is the same. The surgeon won’t do it at the private hospital in case of complications so I’m having it done privately at the NHS hospital. I think the hospital is quite keen because of course they get paid! 

I too had mention of adhesions... suspect it is par for the course after the initial major surgery. 

Ive got plenty of ileum but very little colon to join it to. I think the easier op is when it is still all joined together but just brought up to the surface to relieve the bowel for a while. Anyway, no doubt surgeon will go through it all! Good luck 

Hi Jadie75,

Have you heard anything about your reversal op yet? Heard this morning mine is going to be 10 October.

All the best,

Yolande

Hi 

i had a real let down this week- booked for reversal op Tuesday so arrived at 07.30 and saw the relevant nurses having had a pre op last week with anaesthetist, dietitian etc etc

Arriving on Tuesday the attending anaesthetist looked at my notes and spotted an atrial flutter (who knew) and advised against.  These ecg’s had been there for months and refreshed at pre ops

apologies from all concerned - doesn’t help!

so back in the waiting list and firstly need to see cardiologist to check if ablation or pills are the answer

so many delays- so depressing

hey ho

nick 

So sorry to hear this Nick - what a total and utter pain. Especially after you were all prepared and ready to go. So frustrating and I can totally see why apologies don’t cut it! Really hope it gets resolved for you soon. Hang on in there. Anna

Cheers Annamouse - when I get there, I hope my reversal goes as well as yours.

mine will involve a foot long cut down the middle to find the other end of the ileum to reconnect to the stoma, I guess

happy Days 

Mine was to connect what they delightfully called my “rectal stump” to the end of the ileum which formed the stoma. I don’t really have any colon left.  I now have three more splendid scars - the very long one down the middle, the two inch one to close up the stoma hole and the one inch drain hole. My husband and sister are planning a game of noughts and crosses - lovely!

I'm continuing to do really well and I so hope you have a similar experience before much longer. Anna

Hi Nick,

So sorry to hear about this. That must be such a disappointment. Any idea how long until you see the cardiologist?

Kind regards,

Yolande