ileostomy reversal

Hi Optimistic1,  I had my reversal 20 months ago along with a hernia repair after a Lower Anterior Resection. Firstly, the operation is normally simple and I was out after 2 nights. To begin with the main problem was a feeling of urgency and then not passing much. Gradually it improved and after a few months things had settled down to a new norm.

I never had incontinence and was going out of the house after two weeks but armed with spares that might have been needed if I had a problem. I used a nappy at night for a few days and a pad during the day but it was only a precaution and I was ok.

The main exercise is to build up your sphincter muscle. If you enter your question in the query box I think you will find several articles with a guide to the reversal including the exercises .  One piece of advice is that when you get the urgency, try to hold on for as long as possible and some times the urge will go away. Another is that when you do go, don't get up thinking you have finished wait a while, more will be along!

I was advised to take probiotics as the gut had been asleep for a year and it helped re-populate it. I think they helped so still take them.

I am sure others will be along to share their experiences but happy to help further if I can.  Hope it goes well for you, John

Hi John, Thanks for your reply. Good to hear your story and happy it worked out well for you. I seem to have read more negative stories than positive ones so yours was reassuring ! Thanks Tim

Hi Crankshaft 

I love your way of explaining in your replies. It always makes me smile.
You’ve been a great support to me and others. I was a mess in the early days. Nine months on I’m an old hand at it now 

I’ll bookmark this for a later time when I may have a reversal. I will not know until after the EAU if I’ve got Whoopi or not and I think the list is a very long one. 
Take care John 

Hi Artsie, that is very kind of you but I think you are doing quite a bit more yourself now, keep it up.

Tim, a thread has just resurfaced on the bowel (colon and rectum) forum which has the link to the information I mentioned and also more positive news for you.

John

Hi Optimistic1 I think this is the post that John is referring to x

community.macmillan.org.uk/.../ileostomy-reversal