In may of 2024 I was diagnosed with cancer of the colon and was given an emergency stoma. 18 months on after 10 rounds of chemotherapy and a week of radiotherapy and the tumour being removed, my surgeon has now given me the option of a stoma reversal.
i have very little of my rectum left and I’ve been told it will be a difficult operation.
After 18 months off work and then being made redundant I have now landed a new job that I am excited about and to just get on with life. If I go for the reversal I will need two operations and a temporary ileostomy.which will obviously mean a lot more time off work..
Im in complete limbo of what to do.. Although I have learned to live with the stoma, I have a lot of issues with pancaking and leaking , whatever I eat , it seems to upset my stomach. My stoma is very close to my belly button and leaks in this area most of the time. I use a flat back stoma bag and was wondering if a convex type may be more suitable?
I was always keen to get the reversal but I’m in two minds now as I just want to get on with my life and get into my new job.
I would love to hear peoples experiences with stoma reversal, and does anyone have the same problem with the belly button ?
HI TinkaT
I had a reversal 4 weeks ago following operation to remove part of my large intestine and part of my rectum ,in Dec 24.
When you say the stoma is very near to your belly button, how close is it? My stoma was about 4 inches away, I guess but the reversal went smoothly and I am SO chuffed at no longer having a stoma bag!
The opening in your belly to allow the stoma to poke out is 'just' an opening; in any operation, that wound would be extended probably away at the other end from your BB and then sewn up so that your BB wouldn't be involved at all. I may be wrong but I cannot see how the nearness to your bellybutton would be a problem.
As for your stoma, YES try convex because I suffered for months with annoying leaks until I tried convex bags. I would suggest, get your bags sorted and once that's all happy, look into getting the reversal.
