should i go for reversal or keep my ileostomy ?

Hi lawerence and welcome to our group.

I notice you asked your question at the end of another thread made by jollysailer where he was asking exactly the same thing, and there were some positive replies from others which I presume you’ve seen.

I can’t help out myself as I have a permanent end colostomy so reversal is not something I can ever have, but I’m sure others will be along soon to help you out with their experiences.

Sarah xx

Hi I am just about to go for my reversal in the next few weeks but I'm thinking of changing my mind as I am so scared that it's going to be worse did  you go ahead with your reversal?

I did my reversal late 2023, was difficult for 6 weeks you should wear incontinence pants for that period. It does get better, took about 9 months, but I am fine now just a scar where the stoma was  go for it

Hi Dolphin67,

I had surgery for a rectal cancer in September 2022,  I am still deliberating on whether to have a reversal or not.   I have experienced using  incontinense pants prior to treatment and am reluctant to to have  to use them again.  I have done a fair bit of reading around reversal some of it good some and some not so good.  Since surgery I have not had any leaks from the stoma bag but I have developed a parastomal hernia.  It may be that  at some time in the future I may need a repair at which point I guess a reversal will be carried out.  My stoma nurses are aware of my current situation however, I am not under any pressure to have a reversal so I will wait and see how things develope.  My answer may not be of any help in assisting you in making your decision what it may be about is weighing up the pros and cons of going ahead with the reversal against the pros and cons of not having the reversal.  I wish you well whatever your decision might  be 

Hi I had a reversal August 2024 after almost 9 months with stoma just thought it was something I needed to do to progress with getting my health back online it was harder than I thought and took longer to adjust but I am not sorry I did it. Honestly I am still dealing with the side effects with my bowel needing to watch what I eat & drink at times including alcohol although I hardly drink any since the diagnosis back in June 2023 it’s been a long journey and I am still on it please ask any questions if required etc 

Hi. 

I am in my late 70 's and had a reversal in July 2023. Taken longer than I thought to recover but do not regret it.   I occasionally  have erratic  bowel movements  but they are getting fewer I don't think things will ever return to how they were before the cancer. I just have to get used to a new normal but I do feel things are improving. I go to an exercise class twice a week and feel that has helped. 

Good luck and best wishes whatever you decide.

I wondered if I could hijack and ask you a question?  I am 4 weeks post reversal. I know it is early days and I have a long way to go. I am currently going to the toilet about 10 times a day all formed stool. Once I have a bowel movement I feel empty but this only lasts moments before the sensation of  needing to go comes again. Is this normal and does it fade? I don’t have urgency but if I sat back on the pan I could def go again and again. Sorry if this is TMI! I just feel like after the reversal I was sent on my way with no information about this recovery whatsoever! I had a pretty low LAR with some of my rectum removed. I suppose I just need to know there will be light at the end of the tunnel! I am 45 and would like to be able to live a little again and not constantly need to poo! 

Hi,

I felt exactly the same way about not being given information about what would happen after the reversal. It is a matter of time and things will get easier. You have to remember that you have lost some storage space in your rectum  so you feel as though your bowel movements have finished and then you need to go again. It is a slow process but it does get better and life will get better.

.I was told it can take upto 2 years. I am 1 month short of that a d still waiting. I was given loperamide  and take it as and when I need it especially if I am going out..

Good luck and best wishes