Reversal operation (i.e. to remove stoma bag)

Thanks chocoblanc.  That sounds about right. Anyway, a couple of months is little time compared to the 6 moths I will have had with the bag.

OK, THANKS FOR THAT.  aS MY WIFE SAYS, IT'S BETTER THAN A LIFETIME WITH A B...  BAG!!

Thanks for starting that because i had my reversal on Weds and today, Friday i just had an accident couldn’t get to toilet fast enough and was feeling really down about it. Ok that’s a bit crazy but no one likes to wash their pants whilst still in hospital .. i might ask for incontinence pads  then .. It is absolutely brilliant not having a bag though

. That’s totally normal. I would definately advise wearing the pads for the first few days. Have you been practicing the pelvic floor exercises? Sometimes when the urge comes upon you it might be easier to try and hold it in and then, when the immediate urge has gone, make your way to the toilet - a sudden dash can be dodgy at times!

Anyway it’s very early days and the fact that you’re ‘going’ is a good sign. Be patient and stick with it

Take care

Karen x

Thanks .. they don’t seem particularly helpful here and just gave me a pad for the bed .. i will do the exercises and thanks for the tip on not dashing cos that’s what i did .. and will order some pants for when i’m home . Thanks again ..

Nick x - sounds like you are doing brilliantly! Like you, I had very little guidance when I left hospital (my reversal was 2 months ago). It really got me down that I was in incontinence pants, rushing to the loo all the time. Once I came on here and it was explained that your body needs time to re-learn the whole procedure, it made sense and I stopped beating myself. Two months on and I can go out, get on with my life and the biggest thing is I know I can control my movements now. They are more frequent but I am confident and I am gradually starting to introduce new food and drink. All the above advice is spot on - holding it in is the best exercise - if you have some pads or incontinence pants at home you can practise in safety! A few days of doing that and my body soon got the hang of it! I'm a few weeks ahead of you so ask me anything you like! Good luck, you're going to smash this!

Hurray .. I had to have a bit of a cry there at how kind and helpful you are .. it feels awful not being in charge of it but it sounds like it’s just time .. were there really safe foods for you to begin with ? 

Hello again! Just wanted to share my recent breakthrough re: wind! This sounds a bit whacky but my wind was particularly bad at night - so I tried sleeping more upright, on a slope. Maybe it helps having the tubes stretched out? Anyhow, it has totally cured nighttime gas! Another tip woukd be to eat frequent small amounts during the day to avoid air build-up in the pipes. Hope this helps!

Thanks for all of that .. i’m still in hospital after having had the reversal Weds; had a rubbish day yesterday and a lot of colick and gripey psins; nausea shivering and feeling very down .. did some stair climbing, headset and dancing at 3 am and finally produced a smal POO ! Best feeling .. tired but allowed home later.

Re-reading all of this plus the link was so comforting and reassuring thanks people 

Hi . Good to hear about the poo! You will feel so much better once you’re home and in your own bed. The first few weeks can be a bit erratic but just be patient and take things slowly. I followed a low residue diet initially (like you do before a colonoscopy) although I was like Paddington bear when offered some marmalade in hospital! I had a few aches and pains in my upper chest and shoulders which is apparently caused by the air that they pump into you during keyhole but this was helped by peppermint tea. 
Take care

Karen x