Considering the stoma reversal surgery

Hi . I don’t know if you’ve read the recent post that Ian aka Bodach has listed regarding reversals but the link is below just in case you haven’t.

What is it like? A lot smaller op than your Resection - I had a loop Ileostomy and they literally cut round it, dropped it back in and sewed it up. I was up and dressed the next day and feeling so good that I had some Cornish pasty and gravy for dinner - big mistake - take things cautiously to start with ie. soup, ice cream, jelly and build up gradually. I suffered ileus after my Resection and didn’t enjoy it any better second time round after my reversal.

Was it worth it? Personally yes - my stoma was quite liquid and very active during the night so I was up every 2 hours every night for 15 months. 

Side effects? Your bowel activity will never go back to ‘normal’ but you will get used to a new normal. As you have had some part of your Bowel removed then you will have less storeage and therefore there is a quicker transit time and less time for liquid to be absorbed from your stools. I take loperamide every day to slow things down but even now, 18 months down the line, I have times when I dash to the toilet and can go several times in an hour. Having said that I eat anything and everything so maybe I was just paying the price last night for a hot chilli con carne with baked beans. My friend however suffers with constipation and has to drink a glass of prune juice or take movicol so there’s no guarantees as to how things will be for you.

In the early days you may well wonder why you didn’t stay with the bag but things do improve over the first few weeks and months and apparently even up to 2 years after. 

Hopefully some of the more recent reversees (is that a word) will be along shortly to share their experience - I know Strongsami has had hers reversed very recently.

https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer_experiences/ileostomy_and_colostomy_discussions/f/ileostomy_and_colostomy_discussions-forum/188680/part-2---the-faqs-of-having-a-stoma-reversal

Hope you are able to come to a decision that’s right for you

Take care

Karen x

Hi Martain

I am getting close to the stage of reversal , I have another ct scan to check on the 05/11/19 and if all ok hopefully reversed at the end of November , to me its a no brainer I cant get on with the bag at all its a nightmare , I am up every 2 hours at night to empty it , it dosnt make any difference how many loperamide I take its still runny and needs emptying constantly 

regards 

darren

Morning and thanks Kareno62 for the tag :)

So I am very "fresh" post reversal - today marks exactly 1 week since the event!

I only had my stoma for a very short time - only 8 weeks since my original LAR surgery (I am bring treated at an oncology institute in Italy and this is how the roll here?!).

Straight after the op I felt quite "battered" that first night - weirdly more so than the original op. The op itself is very simple - I think it takes on average about 1.5 hours to do (my original op took about 8!) But one of the nurses explained that you often feel worse as it's more "harsh" as far as the anesthesia is concerned, you're put to sleep and woken up pretty quickly so it feels harsher on your body.

I had a bit of nausea and vomited during the night (this was the anesthetic) but the following day I felt a lot better, like Karen I was up and walking, I had a very low appetite but ate a few bites at lunch. Had a nap and then managed to eat a bit more in the evening. (the hospital bought me soup, bread and ham).

Day 2 post op was much better. I was eating with appetite again and walking a bit further.

My hospital told me to use a support belt for getting in and out of bed and moving around (am still using it).

Then day 3 things started working again, it started off with a bit of wind (amazing feeling!) then I passed some mucus and then I did a bit of stool. It starts of as small amounts and probably a few trips to the loo closer together. 

I was sent home on Friday and the first few days have been like that - I tend to have clustering - a bit of bloating and cramping as well and a degree of urgency.

I'm almost scared to say it but yesterday I only had 2 episodes.

The skin around your anus obviously becomes quite sore as what you produce is quite acidic so it's important to treat it gently, not too much wiping, I tend to wash with warm water, sit in the bidet for a bit (sitz bath) and it does soothe. Then either sudocrem or germoloids also help.

You must drink lots of water too stay hydrated and also help things keep moving. I have been drinking fennel tea for the cramping. Also it's important to start slowly with what you eat. Stick to low res for at least a couple of weeks and then my doctors have said I can reintroduce things slowly. They were actually happy for me to have fruit and veg - simple stuff like boiled carrots and courgettes, plums, apples and bananas but avoid higher fibre stuff like beans and stringy things for a bit. So I have been eating pasta, rice, potatoes, boiled carrots, bananas, bread... seems to be going ok-ish so far!

The worst part for me atm is the urgency, but I have been using pads or just folded up kitchen towel just in case. They tell me things will improve with time. 

Also don't forget to exercise your sphincter muscles. Hold them for a few seconds every day - tense them and then squeeze out. Build up on how long every day.

I hope this helps put your mind at rest, good luck and if you have any further questions, do ask.

All the best,

S xx

Hi Strongsami

I was wondering how you are getting on as this will be me hopefully next month

regards

Darren

Hi Darren aka nothappyanymore

If you put an @ in front of somebody’s name then they will get a notification that you’ve tagged them like Strongsami

Karen x

ok thanks

Hi, I had part of rectum and colon removed and had temp ileostomy for 7 months had my reversal 8th august I came out of hospital after 3 days but went back in 2 days later with an infection that was a bit rough but I was only in for 5 days and the antibiotics worked . It was a bit rough to start with but it's only October now and I feel virtually back to normal. I take 2 or 4 immodium daily and eat mostly what i fancy. My bum still gets a bit sore when i go maybe 3 or 4 times in an hour but then it's usually 12 hrs before i go again so pretty good. Germoloids is good stuff as it has a bit of analgesia in it. Stay on the white foods to start with. I can manage to hold it now for about an hour though it's a bit uncomfortable, but it gives me plenty of time to find a clean lav ! I got on fine with my ileostomy and missed it at first but it was a bit hot and sticky in the summer so all in all I think it was a good move for me. Good luck with whatever you decide .Vanessa.

Hi nothappyanymore!

Things seem to be improving slowly, still a bit erratic, I had 3 really good days with only one "episode" then yesterday I had a BAD day, eventually I took loperamide to calm things (which it did) and today has been fine...

It really is a bit hit and miss but it does improve... 

All the best,

Sami x

Hi , You have had lots of good replies which I hope you have found helpful. I am now 8 weeks post reversal & am eating pretty much eating what I like, with bowel movements just once or twice a day. I was in hospital for 5 nights as my bowel refused to start work but once it did I’ve been ok very quickly. I suffered badly with wind at first & used Settlers, as recommended by my consultant. He also recommended probiotics which definitely helped. Everyone seems to be different - I had a high resection & had my stoma for 7 months. It seems to be that the higher the resection the easier the recovery is as far as bowel movements is concerned. Good luck! x