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ileostomy reversed

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Posted 10/29/2008 6:54 PM (GMT 0)
hi everyone.  it has been a while since i posted but i've had my reversal surgery.  i am in a lot of pain and the surgeon left my skin around where the stoma was open to close on its own so i don't get an infection.  i'm in so much pain.  diarrea surprisingly not to bad but i have a lot of abdominal pain when i go to the bathroom.  almost the same as before i had any surgery.  has anyone had this experience.  would love to hear from you.  thanks.
Posted 10/30/2008 2:33 AM (GMT 0)
I have not had this step yet.....I just did step 2 of 3 but I just wanted to say that I hope you start feeling better. Perhaps it is gas? When did you have it done?
Posted 10/30/2008 3:33 AM (GMT 0)
When i had my reversal I was in a lot of pain and it was all due to the gas. U have to remember that when we had the first surgery they put us on a lot more pain killers than they do the second time around. I was in the hospital for only 3 days for my reversal so there alone I wasn't on IV meds so u feel the pain is much more intense. I was screaming and crying at home for a few days but all I can tell u is WALK WALK WALK and try to stay away from gassy foods.

I hope this helps and hope u get better soon but if it doesn't get better in a or so call ur Dr for reassurance.

Good luck and I hope u never have to see another bag again. Unfortunately I'm back to living with one and another reversal is most likely not possible.
Posted 10/30/2008 3:53 AM (GMT 0)

I had my reversal in August. I didn't have much pain, but when I did it was usually gas. And that eventually went away. The most severe pain I had post-reversal was when I had a partial blockage. THAT was horrible. Watch what you eat, keep a food diary. See what effects you and how. I ove my jpouch. I am happy to be bag free, even though I was happy with a bag, too. Anything but UC is fine by me. Just give it time. LOTS of time. I was blessed to have an easy recovery from my reversal, but I do know that is not the case for everyone. Always remember, this shall pass. Unless of course you have a blockage, at which point, it will require some medical intervention, and THEN it will pass.

Sorry, I am really tired and have resorted to humor for the colon-less. But I do hope everything calms down soon. Gas-X worked a little for me, I know it doesn't work at all for some people....

Posted 10/30/2008 5:41 AM (GMT 0)
I just want you to know that I went through the same thing when I had my reversal in june.Its not very fun at first but after a few months it gets better then you will be happy not to have the bag.Good luck.
Posted 10/31/2008 7:57 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for all your help and advice.  I guess i'm lucky in that i only had crohn's disease in the terminal ileum and they removed that whole part; about a foot.  I had the bag for 10 weeks and then the surgeon said everything is healed and they put the intestines back together.  I don't know what a j pouch is.  Is that for UC only.  I don't have a j pouch.  Anyway thank you all for your advice.  Right now it's 1 week and a day since surgery and I'm still in pain.  Way more pain than the first surgery.  Luckily i had the first surgery done laproscopically.  No big incisions.  Also did anyone's surgeon leave their skin open to close on its own so you don't get an infection?  They packed it with gauze for the first three days then i went home and they told me i did not have to pack it anymore just cover it with gauze and tape it.  Also they send me home on the pain med dilaudad.  They were shooting it into my iv in the hospital every two hours.  they sent me home on 2 mg every four hours which is not enough.  i don't know what to do.  how long before i feel like i didn't make the biggest mistake of my life by getting rid of the bag?
Posted 10/31/2008 8:17 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Bella..I am sorry you are going through such a hard time.  My Dr left my incision open (from belly button to pubic bone) and packed it with gauze too.  It is now healed quite well (I had ileostomy on Sept 23).  I have been reading so many negative things about having the reversal surgery it kinda scares me!  As far as I know my ileostomy is temporary, but I'm not sure how long I will have it.  They did alot of work on my bowels and the Dr said it may take about a year before I can have it reversed.  I am thankful for my little bag right now, but look forward to not having it (if possible) in the future.  All this info on diarrea and pain is making me question if I even want to have it done or not.  I don't want to go back to being chronically constipated like I was.   Good luck with everything and I hope you feel better soon!!

Posted 10/31/2008 10:34 PM (GMT 0)

The doctor left my incision open too and it is very *****.

He sent me home that way and told me to cover it with guaze and tape.  I am back in the hospital 15 days since the reversal surgery because I had an obstruction.  The nurses think my wound looks normal. It still hurts though.

If you are only 7 days post op then I would think the pain is normal.  Perhaps ask  your doctor for different/more pain meds.  Biggest piece of advice I can offer - if you STOP going to the bathroom for 24-48 hours go the doctor quick... generally means an obstruction - and it is awful.  Easy to take care of but definitely needs medical attention.

Good luck!

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