Ileostomy Reversal

Belzy. Always happy to help x

Hi BlueBlue,

Thank you for your good wishes. Things continue to improve.

Good luck for tomorrow, I hope you get the information you need to make an informed decision.  Please let us know how it goes.

I understand your dilemma, once you get used to your stoma and it's behaving itself it's quite a thought to put yourself through more hassle when you don't know for certain the outcome.  My stoma wasn't sited in the best place (it was done on the morning of my original operation and they didn't consider my input at all) it was right on my waist and caused a few problems with me stretching and bending; had it been a little lower I might have thought twice about a reversal.

I'm sure you'll make the right decision for you and hopefully you'll have a little time to consider.

Best wishes,

Net x

I had an ileostomy reversal to a colonostomy. My general health suffered with the illiostomy but since the colonostomy my health greatly improved.

Hello to everyone following this thread.

Thought I'd update you all as just over 2 months since my reversal.

Things are good, I can control almost all urges now and have recently had a couple of 5 hour car journeys with no problems. I have absolutely no regrets re the reversal.

I still tend to have to go to the loo a few times in the evening (that’s when we eat our main meal) but I can cope with that. I’m still being careful regarding what I eat and re-introducing foods slowly, I also continue to keep a food diary which is invaluable. I do need to watch my fluid intake as I can easily become dehydrated.

I have a follow up appointment with surgeon in a couple of weeks. I’m also having routine blood test and scan in next few weeks, so scanxiety will be kicking in soon.

Hope everyone is doing OK.

Best Wishes

Net xx

Thanks for the update Net. I really appreciate your positivity in your reversal as I’m sure others will too. 
Im on a very long list so there’s no rush but it’s great to read you post 

Hi Net77

I'm so pleased to hear that you're doing well and that the reversal has been a success.  A real "good news" story.

I hope that things continue to improve in the months to come.

Good luck with all your follow-ups.  Mine are coming up too - I'm trying not to think about it.

Best wishes. x

Hi Ann,

How are you doing?  I saw on another post you've been having some sun in Spain!  Really pleased you managed to get out there.  You're also doing a very good job of replying and helping so many people on here.

Best Wishes,

Net x

Hi Bluebell,

Thanks for your good wishes.  How are you doing?  What happened regarding your consultation you mentioned a couple of months ago re your reversal?

Good luck with you're follow-ups too, it's a stressful time - you want them but only if it's good news.  Keep me posted.

Best wishes,

Net x

Hi Net77

Thanks for the lovely comments. I like to pay forward  so many people here helped me with my worries with advice and support  

Im okay.
Life seems to be governed by hospital appointments my husband has four consultants he’s really outdone me

So a good day for us is when we open our eyes and the suns out. We both feel make the most of the weather and less Covid restrictions. My brother lives in Spain and we had a lovely time it was amazing to see him in the flesh. My son and grandchildren live in Ireland. They were 3 & 4 last time we hugged them. They’re now 5 & 6. We plan on seeing them this year. 

Thanks again.

Hi Net

I'm good, thanks for asking.

You asked about my pre-op assessment back in March.  Well, it's still a bit unclear.  Admissions said that I was pencilled in for surgery in April but I queried this as the colorectal nurse had previously told me that, according to her records, there is still a waiting list of 2 years before me. And it turns out that this is still the case. (Apparently this surgeon has a mind of his own and tends to do his own thing when it comes to scheduling!)  I've not heard any more since then  from admissions.  In the meantime, the colorectal nurse has advised me to defer any final decision about the reversal until after my follow-ups. She'll discuss things in more detail with me then.  This suits me fine. In my heart I don't think that I'll go for it as, based on the limited amount of information I have so far, I'm not sure that there will be a noticeable benefit. She already said that frequency would definitely be an issue for me and, as I do a lot of walking in areas where there are no toilet facilities, it would be problematic. That, coupled with caring responsibilities for 2 badly disabled siblings, makes me less inclined to take the risk especially since, really, I'm ok with the stoma.  Apparently lots of folk refuse the reversal and the advice is not to feel pressured into going ahead. Sounds like good advice.

Good luck with the next few weeks and the dreaded scanxiety.  Take care x