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