New forum for stoma reversal and LARS discussions

Hi Karen

So I have watch the link you gave me and got some normacol , I have followed what he said by taking 5ml of loperamide twice a day and normacol twice a day, things have improved somewhat still going 5 to 7 times a day and the odd day 3 or so times a day, had an appointment at st Marks with a new clinic for LARS which was good, supposed to be 6 sessions, the nurse said to come back again in two months but I had a letter giving me a date of April 2023 , I rang them up explained that I need one in two months but that's the next appointment available , so that's a waste of time, having the 3 test that was mentioned on the video next month after speaking to DR Wilson last week, I got the impression from her that this is the best it will be because my cancer was so low in the rectum and the leak into the pelvis which lead to having Endosponge 

Hi Ann. I am due to have reversal the beginning of the new year. I have read some other threads about the pros and cons of it. I am still deciding on what to do. I developed a horrible abcess about 3 weeks after my bowel perforation in March, so back into the hospital I went. Some people have had a really brutal time recovering from a reversal and my Surgeon said it will be tough for a while. I am 73 and really concerned about having it done.

Hi Jill

I felt exactly the same my quality of life improved so much with my stoma I really wasn’t sure if I would cope with a reversal.

I read about LARS and decided to try anyway

I bought nappy type pads and moved downstairs near the toilet. 
To begin with it was exactly as I had read watery stools that literally poured out. I was dehydrated after the op so that didn’t help. 

What I hadn’t taken into account though was I was getting out what I put in!  I had an empty bowel for thirteen months I hadn’t eaten for 24hrs so water was coming out. I took some loperamide   Then my surgeon said one before bed. I ate stodgy food. Jackets mash the food that I had to begin with but I concentrated on thickening foods  Then I felt my stool harden I took a softener and really ate more thickening soft food  I haven’t taken a loperamide since but I’ve got them if I need  after all I am going at some point eat some that will upset me  

I even had jacket spud on my birthday with alcohol free wine ! Boy I’d of loved a Chinese with real wine 

Incredibly I was in my own bed twelve days later. I have control and I am adding lots of super foods and soft veg 

I really can not believe it. I was convinced it was going to be a year at least.
I’ve been out for breakfast. 
My Surgeon on the morning of the reversal said that I was a good candidate but I could have help if I needed it 

The op isn’t as invasive but I was out in the morning with no sleep or pain killers and I felt dreadful. So I just rested at home and just had over the counter pain control. Mainly ibuprofen for the swelling I was severely bruised. 

I really can’t advice you how it will be for you. I’m still staggered that I’m plodding on as I am. 
I had an EUA before to see if I had a rectovaginal fistula and was offered a reversal a short while after I had very little time to decide.
I don’t regret it for a minute 

Good luck with your decision, you could phone your nurses to get the percentages of your outcome. 

When I had Cancer I was nearly blocking with my rectal tumour going to the toilet was exhausting just waiting for a ribbon stool the pressure really got me down.
Once I had Whoopi my stoma I felt liberated and enjoyed travel and eating out. 

Either way will be the right way for you 

This is a superficial query about after a reversal and marked skin. Nothing serious however I’m interested to know if it’s common 

After my reversal as you probably know I had a hole left that’s taken a little while to heal. Thankfully now it’s nearly there and my dressings are small and I’m self caring 

Something weird though I have a grey circle ️ where the pouch sat. I’ve scrubbed  it, used wipes and there it sits like a target  

it looks like it’s dirt but it’s really not it’s grey skin.
The nurse said next summer get some sun on it.
It’s not important but I thought quite funny. 
It’s like here marks the spot where Whoopi once lived. 

Hope you’re all having a good day and the reversals are manageable. I’m erratic but that self inflicted. I’m eating naughty foods weekends. 
Well we’ve got to have a break from stodgy beige sometimes x

A little tip to help with self care of a very sore bottom,

Okay I thought I’d add this for all of those like me caring for our very sore bottoms the continual wiping and creaming is not ideal. Wipes can cause issues with the planet so folks……..

A portable bidet. Really inexpensive available online and saves toilet paper. Just a little bottle with case and spray. 
Job done. 
Hope this helps 

Hi there I am not sure if this product is available in the UK but there is a really helpful cream called 'Calmoseptine' that I have been using for years and it is really good - it is made in the US but we can get order it via an international delivery service to Australia, we also use a product called sudo cream which is also excellent. The 'calmoseptine' is more for when the skin has become very sore and irritated - the cream is a pinky colour so best used with a protective pad but if used before bed there is usually improvement by the next morning- the sudo cream is helpful to use with the with the toilet paper as it is soft and protects the skin. 

Thanks Timtam 

I use Sudo Cream on the toilet paper too it’s a great barrier and soothes the inflammation. I will look out for the Calmoseptine

I use this product also.  It helps a lot.

Dear Steph

I had the LAR in April 2017 and the stoma established.  I had a week in ICU following the surgery and the reversal was done six moths later - with, again , a stay of about a week on the surgical ward.  I was looked after by the Colo-Rectal and also Bowel Function Nurses

Hi Retiree

How are you managing your reversal now.

I’ve had some hiccups like a blockage November which I went into hospital overnight. The irony was I’d spent thirteen months worrying about my stoma blocking and ended up in  hospital with a blockage after my reversal