Colorectal rectal cancer stoma reversal

swand 3 months ago

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I now have a dilemma. My rectal cancer has been removed along with the major part of my rectum. I have now been offered a reversal and removal of my stoma bag. I would be interested to hear from anyone who has had the reversal and problems with bowel training. Also are they pleased with the result or do they regret having the reversal carried out. Best of luck to all.

Kareno62 3 months ago

Hi swand There’s lots of information and posts on the board below. I had rectal cancer in 2016 and my stom reversed in 2017. The first few months can be very testing and they say it can take up to 18 months for things to really settle down. I find that I’m ok until my evening meal and then I can go multiple times throughout the evening. You would be very lucky to go back to how you were before and will probably have to get used to a new ‘normal’. I would recommend the sphincter exercises in the booklet that I’ll attach as the urge to go can come upon you very quickly and it’s often better to hold the urge in until it passes rather than making a dash for the toilet.
Its hard to predict how your future toilet habits will be without the stoma bag and food can have a big impact on your toilet visits but, having said that, I have no regrets

https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer_experiences/ileostomy-and-colostomy-discussions-forum/f/stoma-reversal-and-lars

https://bcuk.adidocdn.dev/Publications/Bowel_Cancer_UK_Regaining_Bowel_Control.pdf

Take care

Karen x

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