Recent ileostomy reversal

Hi everyone.  New to this and just wanted to share my experience so that it may help someone going through similar. I've found this chat really helpful and reassuring.

I had rectal cancer diagnosed in Feb 2025, anterior resection surgery in April and then ileostomy in May after a leak from the anastomosis site. I managed well with the stoma, and it really didn't stop me doing anything, but knew I wanted to go for reversal. Reversal surgery happened almost a year to the date of original surgery at the end of April 2026. 

I'm now 4 weeks on and it's been a bit of a roller coaster,  but I'm getting there. First few days in hospital were ok, started to eat low residue/fibre diet and had my first bowel movement (very loose) after 5 days. Nausea eventually settled and I got home. 

First 10 days at home was almost constant feeling of needing to poo although thankfully not overnight so much. Poos very loose and I was getting weary. My fantastic colorectal nurse specialist advised to add more fibre to diet and that has made such a difference over last 2 weeks. 

I still have a way to go, but am now eating and drinking well, bowel movements are much less frequent and urgent, down to 2-4 times a day and are almost normal! I feel so much better. I am so glad I did the sphincter muscle control exercises as advised before my reversal or I would have never been off the toilet. Even when I had the constant urges to go I was able to clench and control it for at least an hour or two.  

I feel bloated at times, and can't always tell the difference between wind and needing to poo but I am positive for the future and hoping things will continue to improve over the coming months.  Building confidence to go out and doing core exercises as advised too.