I had no choice but to have a reversal of my colostomy which I had for some year and a half. Reason was that it grew a very painful hernia and I became almost completely immobilised by it. The reversal seemed to go well initially and I was fitted with an ileostomy while the colostomy site healed.
Unfortunately, the colostomy wounds overheated and I developed a scar tissue stricture and later adhesions at the site of the ileostomy when it was reversed (it was developing a hernia too.
since then I have had to have regular colonoscopies with dilatation and suction to widen the stricture and empty my rapidly overfilled bowels (or what remains of them.).
As a result of all this, I have frequent incontinence of faeces while I sleep and have to wear nappies at night. My breathing has also been adversely affected by being full of “crap” much of the time which prevents my diaphragm from doing its job properly.
I have been unfortunate indeed but keep going. My message would be to consider stoma reversal very carefully before undertaking it. Unlikely that such a string of misfortune would occur to many but the possibilities are there.
Very best wishes to all fellow sufferers and I wish you all the very best. Stay strong.
Many thanks also to the NHS and in particular, the Colorectal Team at the Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, who have saved my life several times and work so hard to mitigate the unfortunate effects of my cancer.
Many thanks also to MacMillan which assisted me financially when I greatly needed it before my pensions kicked in. I was proud to be able to repay in part when a private pension finally matured.
Hi stewart123 and welcome to the group.
Gosh, you have certainly been through a lot-am I understanding this right and you’ve had 2 reversals now? It seems you have been very unlucky to experience so many issues with reversal in general and I am so sorry to read the ongoing effects of this.
I’m not sure if you’ve had a chance to read through the other posts on reversal in the special subsection of this group and been able to take anything helpful from this?
I have an end colostomy, so not one that can ever be reversed, but even if it had been possible, I would not have wanted further surgery so I would not have gone for reversal. It’s a matching pair with my urostomy and I’m so used to both now it would be very strange to have one disappear! I have been lucky enough not to develop any hernias from my procedures, and I’m still careful to try and avoid this happening.
It sounds like you are a very pragmatic person and are just getting on with life as best you can, and coping with difficult circumstances. And it seems you’ve had an excellent team dealing with you. Your attitude is admirable and I appreciate you sharing your experience with the group. Stoma reversal is something which is certainly a big decision
Sarah xx
Hi Stewart
I think your post shows the remarkable resilience we are capable of when faced with circumstances we didn’t choose. I’ve had major surgery myself, and a pulmonary embolism, but 4 major surgeries is quite a different league!
I think I’d find it difficult to have the reversals forced on me for other reasons, as has happened with your hernias, especially when you are left with quite unexpected consequences which must be difficult to manage. It doesn’t appear to have made you bitter, and I take my hat off to you for how you are getting on with your life.
Sarah xx
