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.
