I had my stoma reversal in August and was fitted with an ileostomy as temporary measure. Had ileostomy reversal 10 days ago in November. Was great for 3 days, near normal bowel movement but more frequent. Diarrhoea kicked in when I got home, 5 days after operation. I had prepared as all the medical staff had warned me. I thought I had escaped silly me.
I was thrilled my operation went well. I had all the tools to deal with my return home, pads, baby bum cream, washing tools, etc. but hoped they would not be needed. I need diet advice now. I am eating same diet as before hospital but asking for help as not working. I can't work out what is causing my problem and am now afraid to leave the house.
I have cereal breakfast sandwich lunch and fish or meat with veg dinner. Any advice will be gratefully received. The marshmallows and jelly babies don't work now.
Hi RitaD
I had my reversal September 2nd from my Ileostomy August 2021. So I had a long wait for my op.
I had to sleep downstairs as I couldn’t make it to the toilet upstairs and had trouble sleeping. Days went much better. The hospital advised me to go natural and eat mashed food similar to when I had my stoma.
Two weeks and I was back to bed and eating very plain beige food. White bread toast for breakfast or porridge, white bread sandwich with peanut butter for lunch, mustard butter mash, spinach with finely diced meat. This worked. I also was adviced to take one lopermide before bed.
I had some weeks building up my food and kept a food diary.
It’s trial and error My bowel was asleep for a long while so it’s taking a while to work properly
My rectum was removed and now I have no storage but I’ve been told I can stretch it back so I’m hoping by eating stodgy food it’s easier to process I’ve stopped taking the lopermide regularly but have them just in case
There’s masses of info on this here. Also check out the LARS section I’ve gained lots of info there
Ann
Hi Ali Bali
Congratulations on your reversal.
I was not constipated once but my bowel did fall asleep and I was pretty sick.
If you have bloating, no sensation to open your bowels please contact your team. They may recommend something to help move things along.
If you have pain high and vomiting then you will need medical help
It can take a while to settle. Maybe if you’re feeling okay physically try some small amount of fibre.
I can be erratic with my bowel movements and have used stool softeners but nothing stronger
What type of diet are you having.?
Mine was mainly beige in the beginning, it’s much more varied now but everything I put in I am conscious that I need to get it out.
Take care
Ann
Hi Ali Bali
Thats great news that you didn’t feel unwell or sick that sends alarm bells
As my rectum was removed I had no storage so urgency for me was a worry and control.
I found that when the feeling that I needed to go I would take myself to the toilet and breathe concentrating on holding my bowels. Just gentle holding as I was in the loo anyway I could experiment. After a little while it passed and I could leave it.
This really helps. You are at really early days. I slept downstairs for two weeks so you are doing really well
I’d stay beige for a little while. Veg can make the bowel overreact and as you’re going often you may find it difficult.
I mashed my veg early days that worked.
Im not sure if you’ve seen this. Wellspring put it up in September thought it’s worth a watch. There’s another Karen put up I will find it and attach below.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=aW4niaa-Wus&feature=youtu.be
Ann
Hi. Karen found this for me a few months ago. It made me smile hope it makes you smile too. It brightened my early days.
Hope you have a good day today
community.macmillan.org.uk/.../ileostomy-reversal---my-tips-tricks-of-dealing-with-the-grizzly-bear
Ann
