Illeostomy Reversal

Hi, I just had my Illeostomy reversed. Such a relief, only 5 months. I had serious Chron's Disease surgery which the doctors felt I needed the Illeostomy to bypass the surgical area to heal. Letting the doctors know I can't live like this, I need to work, I can't afford not to work helped push the reversal sooner.

AFTER the reversal I have CRONIC diarrhea. It's been a week and a half plus the incision spot has packing and a dressing needing daily replacement. It'll be another 2-3 weeks or something. The medical people say it'll be a few days, It'll be a while etc, so they're not sure how long it'll be before I'm fully back to normal.

My experience, hope it helps.

there are some people on this site who've had reversals sooner thatn 6mos. thats my suggestion from my doc. he says i can have it b4 if i heal b4 then. he also says that bc its reversable that whenever i say when he can put it back, but i may end up in the same agony i was in before. So i'm going to see a gi this week, hoping he can give me something to get me on the road to healing

i was back to work 2 months after my surgery, but could have been back one month. However, I only had the temp ostomy, no other surgery. Now I will need to make it permanent. Why would you have to wait to have it reversed before going back to work?

i don't think there is any reason for people to wait to live there lives before it is reversed. It will take some time after your surgery before you can do everything you want, like for the first couple of weeks you will have a limited diet, and not be able to lift and whatnot, but after that, it will be back to doing whatever!

HisWill, Just note to let you know that I just received an ileostomy on Dec 2007. I just love it I do all the things I did before i had one plus more because I feel so wonderful. I swim and run and have a blast with my kids who are 13 and 24. My husband is so happy that i had the surgery and we are better than ever together. I adjusted well to my ileostomy because I feel great and I eat just about  anything i want except for popcorn and things with seeds. Your doctor will give you a diet to go by. I can have a reversal but have chosen not to I don’t want to mess up a good thing. I went back to work and no one at my job evens knows I have one, I have a friend who has had one for 10 years and no one at her job has ever figured it out! So see we are normal and just have a positive out look.  Nurse42  

I had a temporary ileostomy after a developed an abcess and fistula from a bowel resection for diverticulitis. Last week, I had my ileostomy reversed and am now at home gaining back strength and starting to get back to normal. Everyone's recovery will be different. I did not go back to work after my ilesotomy because I was still trying to recover from an infection, and as an elementary teacher,I did not want any setbacks by getting sick at school. Really, though, there is no reason if you are feeling well that you cannot return to your life. This site helped me through those three months with all kinds of tips about preventing leaks, using public restrooms, packing a good travel kit and foods to avoid. This site has been WONDERFUL! As I recovered throughout the winter, I would check this site every day for support. I am fortunate that I do not have a chronic bowel condition like Crohns or UC, but for those folks, I am sure that the ileostomy beats the disease. I could have easily coped with the ostomy forever if I needed to, especially with the support of all the people who offer advice on this site. THANKS FOR GETTING ME THROUGH THIS ROUGH WINTER!

Hi, Thanks to everyone that replied to my post. I definetly feel better about having my surgery and my life after my surgery. By the way, my surgery is going to be on April 3 at 7:30 am. My surgeon told me that she does her surgeries laparoscopically (sp?). She said the only reason she may not be able to do that way is if my colon is too big. Four days before the surgery she is going to have me do enemas and take ducolax to try to get rid of as much stool as I can. Has anyone here had a laparoscopic surgery? I think it will be so much easier as far as recovery goes. So I am praying that I will be able to have my surgery done this way. Thanks again to everyone here. I will be in touch! Love to all..HisWill

Hi, I have noticed that some of you who post here have medications listed at the end of your name. Can I ask why you are on prednisone? Is that something you have to take because of the surgery? or for another reasonVIEW IMAGE?  Thank you..HisWill

I had a bag for only three months then had the reconnect I tryed to live a normal life but it took a good six to seven months to really feel normal cause my body and mind was shot and not to add to the healing my wife left me while recovering from surgery in the hospital but now 13 months later life is truly great and was definatly cause I rested till i was ready so my suggestions is do what ya can and nothing more its not worth pusing anything cause when your body is better its like being bone again for me

Hello Im a newbee on this site, im 26 years old and I have a temp illeostomy i have herd from a couple people that I will lose alot of weight after the reversal......is this true?

Hello, I had my reversal 23rd Dec 2008,after having the illeostomy for 8 mths, I should've had the reversal in July but due to a fistula was unable to.

Firstly can I say its been the worse 8 mths of my life and if I can get through it then anyone can.

I was not prepared for my reversal, I didn't know until I came out of the opp if they could indeed have done, but all my Christmas pressies came at once when I woke up 'cos they did it.

The diarreha is horrendous, the soreness is horrendous, its now 4 months after the reversal and I still don't sleep through the night as I have to get up, but it is getting easier.
I found sitting on bags of ice during the first 6 wks help immensly, my surgeon told me that it can take up to a year for the bowel to function normally.

I take 8 looperamide a day to solidify and slow it down.

In terms of weight loss, I've only lost 7lbs and am still 2 stone over weight.
Soups are no good for me, protein is good, plenty of eggs, not too much fruit and veg but a reasonable amount is now ok for me,coffee,tea etc are fine, chocolate is a big no-no, although I have eaten more than I shoul d and paid for it!!

It does get easier as I said its 4mths now and its so much better and improving all the time, but the most important thing is that the reversal is so much better than the illeostomy, I'd rather go through this than to have to keep the bag, I struggled so much with it and am so happy that I don't have it anymore.

There were so many times through the 8 mths I had it that I couldn't see myself functioning 'normally' again, but truely I am so happy now and you all will be to.

Good luck with the operations xxxxxxx

i had  severe uc  back on 0929/08 and had a stroke caused by the uc. my colon was removed on my 40th10/06/08. iwas told my ileostomy could be reversed. have asked the drs when i could have it reversed. i am told in awhile not to soon wants to make sure i am ready/healed.  i am not wanting to wait. this hasd been a nightmare. my husband. thank god for him has been my caregiver. je is a wonderful husband i am so lucky to have him. i have voiced my wanting to have this reversed. seems people thinki need more time.  i am afraid but i think i would have a better outlook to getting better if i did not have to rely on others to take care of mt illy. ibecame paralyzed on left side after stroke. can someone tell me what to expect from the surgery? i heard lots of accidents and with the depression i currently have the don't think i am ready. with my depreession. i think it would help make me feel better about myself. can anyone give me some insight??