Ileostomy Reversal

Hi Net77. Whoo hoo - exciting with a bit of apprehension? I’ve attached a link that I helped write a while ago which may have a lot of irrelevant bits but there are some good bits and may help others too when searching for reversal posts.

https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer_experiences/ileostomy-and-colostomy-discussions-forum/f/ileostomy_and_colostomy_discussions-forum/188680/part-2---the-faqs-of-having-a-stoma-reversal

Yes I would start eating very cautiously initially then move onto low residue for a couple of weeks. Do not attempt a Cornish pasty for your first meal like I did and then spend the next few days with ileus (severe vomiting!)

I wore my usual knickers with a long panty liner just in case. When you get the urge to go suddenly it is better to hang on until the urge has passed - this is where your exercises come in - rather than making a dash for it which can be dangerous. In hospital I found it handy to have a grab bag at the ready which contained soft toilet paper, wet wipes, sudocream or similar, pads and spare underwear. 
In the early days I found I was going multiple times a day and getting a very sore bottom. Haemorrhoid cream can help as it has a slightly anaesthetising effect. I also bought some of the large dry wipes like they give you to wash with in hospital and used these instead of toilet paper then popped in a poo bag in the bin. I know this isn’t good for the planet but my bottom was so sore that I was in tears and even the quilted toilet paper was too harsh. I also tried a well known brand of toilet paper with aloe Vera which was hopeless and seemed to disintegrate!

Hope it goes well and feel free to ask if there’s anything I haven’t covered

Take care

Karen x

Kareno62 

This is fantastic advice for all of us planning for a reversal  I bought some incontinence pants before my blue dye test. They were not great and I did think I’d have to research more. However a slim pad will be wearable and definitely less plastic.  

Thank you so much

Hi Karen,

As usual you’ve come to the rescue with such good advice and the link, thank you so much it’s all extremely useful. I’ll definitely make up a grab bag or two – so obvious but not sure I’d have thought of it until after the event! And thanks for the ‘heads up’ re using haemorroid cream and staying away from the well known toilet paper with aloe vera, I’m sure my husband would have bought this otherwise.

I had ileus too after my first op but didn’t realise what it was until later and certainly wasn’t as bad as yours was, you certainly went through the mill back then!

I have so much more information now from this fantastic forum, there’s always someone around who has been there and done it!

Good Luck with your hip replacement, hope it all goes well - I'll be thinking of you. Let me know how you get on

Best Wishes & Take Care

Net x

Hi Artsie Ann,

Such good advice isn’t it - she's a marvel.  I’ll keep you posted re my reversal journey.

Best Wishes & Take Care

Net x

Thanks Nett77

Sending you a hug

Hi Folks,

Hope everyone is doing OK.

Back home yesterday evening after reversal op on Wednesday. Op went very well and wound is very small and not causing any problems, just need to be careful using the tummy muscles to sit up in bed. Hubby has attached a strap to end of bed I can use to pull myself up now.

Bowels opened day after operation but then developed ileus in hospital (nurses didn’t seem to identify it or know how to treat it so a bit frustrating that I had to explain). Since returning home yesterday evening have been to the loo 20+ times & 2 showers overnight due to soiling, it just seems to be running out of me every time I move, so feeling a bit wiped out.

Slightly worried about what to eat, although I know I need to eat to gain strength. I had a small Huel drink and a rice cake earlier – a bit like eating polystyrene (not that I’ve tried). I expected urges to go to loo and lots of visits but not it constantly running out of me, I think I need some incontinence knickers as pads aren’t working as too thin.

The advice for a grab bag with supplies of water wipes, dry wipes, pads, knickers, soft loo paper, Vaseline & Sudacrem, nappy bags was invaluable.  I also got some period pants (with absorbency right up the back), I think these will be really good once bum settles a bit.

I’m sure things will improve, I'm probably expecting too much. Will keep you all posted as may be helpful especially to those of you waiting for a reversal.

Best Wishes to everyone.
Net x

Hi Net77

Thank you so much for posting this.  I'm on the waiting list for reversal but VERY, VERY undecided about whether or not to go ahead so will be interested in reading about your progress.

It sounds as though the op itself is relatively uncomplicated but the recovery is challenging.  You'll be so glad to be back to your own bed and bathroom by the sounds of things.  It must be quite demoralising at first, but it's very early days and I'm sure that things will begin to settle down.

Hoping that you'll be feeling a bit better really soon.

Take care. 

I've been trying ti log into the bowel cancer sites but the green log in goes black and doesn't let me in. someone please help.

Oh Dear Kath

Has it solved?  
Sometimes I find shutting down clearing and starting again. 

Hi Nett77 

I hope that things are improving a little. It’s sounding grim but your doing well with your positive attitude. 
I don’t know what ileus is I have tried to find out on the internet but I have failed. I hope that you have the right meds for it. 
Do you have to stay on the low fibre high carb diet like after the LAR? 
I really hope that your bowel settles down 

Sending you a hug