Anus but no rectum

Hi AEC

Just popping this back up to the top !

Hope you get some replies .

Court 

Hi Aec , I don’t have a stoma , but I had LAR with part of my rectum removed . It’s been over a year and I still struggle sometimes with my bowels . I have to watch what I eat as I tend to get very constipated. I also get very windy in the evening so haven’t been able to go out for a meal due to embarrassment. I definitely have more good days then bad and I’m sure as more time goes on I’ll be more confident with my bowel . I was on a bowel cancer support group on face book and I remember a lot of people choosing to keep the stoma as they where happy with it . I guess it depends on weather you are comfortable with yours ? I hope this helps a bit . Good luck with your decision , XX

Hi AEC, I posted a reply last night that seemed to have lost in the ether - so I'll have another go!

I also had a LAR but with an ileostomy for a year which was reversed 16 months ago. I didn't have a lot of rectum left but after an initial feeling of having to run for the loo it gradually settled down and for some months now I have been going twice, sometimes three times a day. I understand that the more bowel they cut out the less chance of water being absorbed and the faster and thinner it passes though, but this can be controlled. Exercises can help strengthen the sphincter muscle to help avoid accidents.  It isn't perfect but I prefer it to my stoma.  Having my reversal also allowed them to mend a hernia I had developed early on.

So, in your case, is it the surgeon who is warning of incontinence? The suggestion from him that you could have permanent incontinence might be an indicator not to have the reversal. Are you comfortable with the stoma at the moment?  If you had the reversal and it didn't work is there an option to revert to a permanent stoma?

If you have any particular questions please ask, or use the search above to look for stoma reversal.

Which ever way you I hope that it is successful for you,  John

Thank you Crankshaft/ Nelly B. In light of your comments I’ll press home the fact that I’m prepared to restrict my diet and exercise a lot etc. I’m not comfortable with the stoma but the prospect of faecal incontinence is putting me in a sort of devil and deep blue sea conundrum.  I’ll ask the surgeon whether it’s possible to give the reversal a go and then go for a permanent stoma if all else fails. Thanks again. Useful pointers for questions.

That’s a good question to ask . There are definitely lots of medications , food and natural remedies which will help after a reversal . I hope someone who has had a stoma will pop on and give some more advice . Take care x

Hi AEC

Ive read about a similar operation to yours on the stoma support group the threads called 

To reverse or not to reverse

It may be worthwhile you having a read. 

Found it. Thanks for the heads up.

I ended up with a bag after the operation to remove a tumour went horribly wrong - sepsis, multiple organ failure etc.  Told I could have a reversal after 12 months but with covid it ended up at 32 months, by when I had a huge hernia.  Just before the surgery, the sugeon ran me through the risks - 3% mortality, chance of incontinence etc.  I wavered but it was probably the hope of getting rid of the hernia that swayed me.  Had infection afer reversal surgery then had usual bowel problems - going several times a day but never quite feeling I had emptied the bowel and wanting/needing to go again 10 minutes later.  Now settling down but he new normal not quite like the old one.  My point is you never know what is going to happen and you have to make the best of where you find yourself.