Reversal or no reversal?

Hi jollysailer and welcome to our group

I have a permanent end colostomy so can’t share the right experience with you, but I’ll tag my friend Artsie who has been through an ileostomy reversal and I’m sure she’ll be able to help when she sees this.

Sarah xx

Thank you Sarah, very grateful. It's not an easy decision and difficult to know who to turn to other than my surgeon who's keen to go ahead. Rodney x

I had my reversal two years ago aged 61 , I was unsure if I should have a reversal due to seeing and hearing how others had coped or not ! , however I went ahead and only stayed in one night at hospital and came home . 
I will say it was not easy to start with regarding what foods to eat etc , but slowly I began to feel and get better , I did suffer with a few uti problems but I am now over 2 years on and all is back to near normal and I am so glad I went ahead and had the reversal , everyone copes in their own way , good luck . 

Hi jollysailer

Thanks Sarah 

I felt exactly the same. I was torn with having the reversal. The posts all seemed negative because I think people only think of writing if they’re experiencing a tough time 

I was seriously considering not having it done and took lots of advice here so I know how you feel 

I decided to go for it knowing that I had support from my team. I felt it was worth a try. 
I didn’t want to regret not trying 

There are members here that didn’t have it  

I know it’s called a reversal but I’m not sure that describes it clearly 

I had a four inch cancer removed in my rectum thus removing a large section and joining me back means there’s less pipe work to travel. Ha ha
So I also don’t have the storage I once had meaning I have to go to the toilet more. 

I am really pleased that I went for it. 

If you click on my name I’ve written up my experiences after the op. 

Best wishes

Thank you Ann for the reassurance. My main concern has been that my join is very low but my surgeon seems to think it's okay. I'm 90% of the way to going for it on the basis of nothing ventured, nothing gained I'm so pleased to hear something good about a reversal, as you say most of the stories tend to be when it's not worked out so well. I'll be taking a look at your experiences later. Thanks again for answering my question xx

Thank you so much Mandy. I'm sure you had the same worries that I have but made the decision to go ahead. I'm very grateful for your input and will almost certainly go ahead with it. Wish me luck 

Hi jollysailer 

I’m so glad you have had positive replies to your post, and once your surgery goes ahead you can always ask any questions here about it, and you’ll get help and advice. Often people don’t come back to the forum because things have gone well and they don’t feel the need to return, but it’s always lovely when we get updates from those who have gone through this themselves. 

I wish you all the best with your surgery, and please don’t be a stranger now you’ve found us!

Sarah xx 

Very best of luck x also take chewing gum in for after the op as it helps go to the toilet . !! 

Hi Sarah, I'll not run away even once I've had the reversal. I am happy to share my experience, good or not so good, for the benefit of others in my situation. I realise that my age is against me, a year ago I felt like I was 50 and recently more like 100 but I'm working on it  My aim is to go into reversal next spring feeling 50 again!! 

I had my reversal one year ago next Monday. So glad I did, couldn't imagine the stoma for the rest of my life.

It has been an interesting year, I am still very loose, but I can now comfortably leave the house without a lot of clenching. Dodged a bullet for sure