What to expect post stoma reversal.

Thank you ,glad things are going well for you,I still darnt go out very far but I have ventured out to my local shop,so confidence is getting there 

Hi,I'm sMe,had my stoma for 5 years after anal cancer,my reversal was done on 29th December and I'm still struggling to know the feelings of wind and poop,wearing giant pDs that I get from nhs as shop ones don't give me confidence,I went for post op check and was told my anal canal suffered much damage during radiotherapy and surgeries, if there's no improvement in 3 mon5hs I have to see a bowel physio specialist,,

Hi To everyone on this Thread. I just has to write to say "thank you". I am only 8 days in on this hell and desperately looking around for help and information. At the moment, I am producing more gas that the North Sea, spending most of my life on the loo, and wandering why am I putting myself through this hell. Just to read all the experiences and suggestions has cheered me up no end. My surgeon sent me home with a "see you in 10 weeks" and that was that. I don't think anyone really appreciates fully just what a reversal operation is like. When I had the the stoma, I was snowed under with help, advice and a dummies guide to living with a stoma, not to mention my formidable Stoma Nurse, but with the reversal...nothing. No Guide,  No Nurse, No help. Just general literature and a ""see you in 10 weeks"....am I ranting? It seems like it, but it's just a general comment on the system. Good luck to all.  Richard

Hi Richard, sorry to hear about what you are going through. I had my reversal about four years ago, during the covid pandemic. Because of restrictions I received very little after care. My wife was asked to change my dressings and repack my wound, in the weeks after my operation, which was quite tough on her. In my opinion, the reversal was worse than the re-section that I had, partially because I could not have the same level of painkillers, due to them causing constipation.

The things that people go through after the opp. are not pleasant, but you can get through them and once you do, the benefits are well worth it. One of the things that can happen, is getting a hernia around the stoma site. (I had one while I had my stoma, which they fixed during the reversal.) I was lucky to be part of Active Against Cancer, which was set up with the hospital. Here they would get you as fit as possible, both before and after your surgery. This involved supervised gym work and relaxation techniques. They taught me about strengthening my "core" muscles, which helps to avoid further hernias if you are careful. I was fairly lucky when it came to toilet problems. Yes, I had the odd accident (still have the odd one at night), but now I can just about eat the same food which I enjoyed before the diagnosis and live a normal life now. 

Try and keep your chin up. It does get easier. In an ideal world, the after care would be as good as the initial treatment.  I'm sure the majority of medical workers constantly do their best and they do a fantastic job, but they have to prioritise the people who are in the greatest need and in most cases, once we get past the reversal stage we are not priorities. Good luck with your recovery.

Hi ricky64 I’m so glad you’ve found the thread useful - it’s quite old but the moderators have retained it because it is so helpful. 
Yes the first few days/weeks/months can be pretty grim but things will start to settle down over time although it can be several months. 
There is a separate board within the Ileostomy, Colostomy page which I don’t know if you’ve seen? Lots of top tips and experiences there too

 Living well with a stoma reversal or LARS 

Yes the support does seem to vanish after your reversal although my stoma nurse did say I could contact them for help. Stick to a low residue diet for a couple of weeks and maybe keep a food diary to see if there is a particular food causing the gas? 

Take care

Karen x

Hi ricky64,

I’m now 12 months on from an ileostomy reversal and after a difficult first few weeks I now have no regrets.

In the early days my colorectal nurse said it would take a year for my bowels to find their new normal. In my case this took around 8/9 months. Bowel movements have now 'normalised' to between three and four a day. Output is consistent.

I am eating and drinking whatever I want. My favourite tipple, Guinness, took the longest time for my bowels to get used to again, but is once again my go to drink. I have not taken Loperimide for a couple of months now. In the early days it was a godsend, giving me confidence to leave the house and socialise.

I know everyone is different and there are others still struggling a year or more after their reversals, but my experience has been overwhelmingly positive. Patience and adaptability are my two keywords.

Hi Lucky1,

Things are much better now than 3 days ago. Things have settled down a lot and I'm now looking forward. I wrote the message when I was at my lowest. I can see the end of the tunnel now. :-)

Hi Karen,

The gas has finished so that's something. I built a good relationship with my Stoma Nurses and they have kept in touch with me, Thanks for you suggestions. R.

Hi Spider. Guinness!! Can't stand the stuff!! I dream of 4 movements a day! It is something to aim for. In the meantime my cycle rides will all have to be two hours long!