Anxious

Also, I have a fairly large parastomal hernia. Has anyone had one repaired at the same time as an ileostomy reversal? 

Hi EXpat1,  Sorry to hear that these appointmnets are upsetting you. Is the blood test part of the proposed reversal or just a routine check to see how you are doing?.  I had my ileostomy reversed ten months ago after a year with it. I also had a reasonable sized parastomal hernia, bit like half a a grapefruit, that was stitched up at the same time as the reversal.

The procedure is routine and the operation, even with the hernia, only took one and a half hours and I was only in for two nights. Before the reversal you wil have a leakage test to make sure the original operation join is good. This is a type of X Ray or scan where liquid is pumped up into you and the results seen there and then.  I also had a sigmoidoscopy so that the surgeon could examine his handiwork and be happy to go ahead with th reversal.

My original operation was keyhole but the reversal wasn't as they just cut around the stoma, join up the ends and tuck it back inside. The hernia repair was by stitching rather than mesh and that did take time to mend. You are told not to lift anything heavy for six weeks or so but I could still feel the repair some months later, but no pain.

After the operation it takes a little time for the bowel to begin to work normally but I am sure the hospital will give you lots of advice on that. If they don't and you have more questions just come back on the site, there are lots of people who have been through this.

Try not to be too anxious, it could be the start of getting back to a new normal, I looked forward to mine - probably the only time I wanted to go to hospital!

With best wishes, John

Thank you so much, John. I really appreciate your getting back to me and explaining the procedure and how long it took. I had emergency surgery when the ileostomy was created and I guess I've still got a lot of residual fear around that. I will be glad when it's over.

Hi  Yes as John says it is a much smaller operation - I was up and dressed next day and wondering what to do with myself. I’ve attached a link to a leaflet about stoma reversals below

https://bowelcancerorguk.s3.amazonaws.com/Publications/StomaReversal_BowelCancerUK.pdf

I’d also recommend doing the sphincter exercises on page 15 and 16 in the booklet below - it’s often better to control the urge to go than to make a dash for it!

https://bowelcancerorguk.s3.amazonaws.com/Publications/RegainingBowelControl_BowelCancerUK.pdf

The bowel may sulk again after being manhandled during the op so be cautious with what you eat for the first few days - things may not go back to how they used to be but you’ll be able to get used to a new normal

Take care

Karen x

Thank you, Karen. I've just read through both leaflets and they were very informative. I'll start doing the exercises now as that may help later on,

It's great to hear how quickly both you and John were up and about, so encourging, Thank you again for your support,

Liz