Reversal colostomy

angusandgus8yvn.

Hi Lorna

5 days post op is very very early days - I was still in hospital at this point with the surgeon asking hopefully ‘any firmer stools yet?’ Me ‘no totally liquid’, him ‘any small pieces?’ Me ‘ no totally liquid’, him ‘any fluffy......’ me ‘no it is totally liquid!!’ 

It does get better with time - honestly. Try to stick to a low residue diet initially - one of the surgeons told me that my new Bowel routine would be very similar to my stoma. Have you been prescribed any loperamide/immodium? You can take these 30 minutes before meals and it slows things down so your Bowel has more chance to absorb the water from the matter so your stools should become less liquid but check with your surgeon/support nurse first.

Have you practiced any sphincter exercises? If you find yourself needing to go but not near a toilet then the nurses recommend ‘holding it in’ until the urge passes rather than making a run for it which could be disastrous. I’ve attached a link to a booklet that describes these exercises but you basically squeeze your sphincter muscles as if trying to hold in a trump then release. As your muscles get stronger then try tightening them a bit more and a bit more like a lift going up the floors.

Make sure that you have something like sudocream for your bottom as it will start to get sore and make sure you stay well hydrated.

Things can improve for up to 2 years but I found things got better quite quickly after a couple of weeks and carried on improving over the months. 

I always make sure I have a panty liner in and I have a bag in the toilet at work with wipes, nice toilet paper, cream and a spare pair of knickers just in case.

Hope things start to settle down really quickly for you and remember the Bowel cancer mantra - never trust a trump!

https://bowelcancerorguk.s3.amazonaws.com/Publications/Regaining_Bowel_Control.pdf

Take care

Karen x

Hello Karen

thankyou for your reply made me laugh! 

I will get on the exercises! Yes just liquid still without much warning but on a plus side I think that is better than no movement!? 

I thought about loperamide but wanted to wait till I gave my bum a chance! I was prescribed that during chemoradiotherapy last year and worked well! 

Appreciate your advice and yes you feel dehydrated so drinking plenty fluids! I think the hospital needed my bed so I was chucked out so was rather surprised!!! 

Many thanks and keep you posted!!

Lorna xxxxx 

Hi Lorna I’m 8 weeks post colostomy reversal and I found my toilet breaks settled down after a couple of weeks, I’m eating what I want with no restrictions. I’m just suffering from pain where my stoma was .. things will improve, good luck x