Congratulations on your upcoming reversal, donut.
My husbnad had his takedown 2/1 after 5 month ileostomy. The dr cut a few inches of (I think) the ileum where his stoma had been, and left the incision wound open. I was surprised at how large the hole looked to me. According to dr and nurses, it wasn't big. But it needed a whole 4X4 to pack it for some time. The wound is healing very nicely. It's amazing to me how our bodies heal. He was in the hospital a week. At first he couldn't eat anything, actually for about 6 days. They gave him Reglan to get his peristalsis working again. He's on a normal diet now and has a good appetite. But he almost always feels like he has to run to the bathroom, and will have diarrhea. Most often he can't go at all, or has a little bm. The dr says it's just his colon readjusting and reminds us the colon was not working for 5 months. Donut, I hope this isn't too much information. I agree with someone else who wrote, that once there is healing from the reversal, a person can be grateful to get back to normal. I wish you God's strength and presence throughout your ordeal. It'll be worth it in the end.
I wish I'd find someone who has gone through the takedown. I'm curious how long it takes for the body to adjust, and if some get back to normal digestion etc. The dr says add fiber. So my husband takes fiber tablets, and we are once again eating things like whole wheat bread, and will add lettuce and tomato soon. We had not been eating much fiber when he had his ileostomy.
I think we just need patience and good nutrition. Thanks for listening.