Question about prep for reversal...

When I had my temporary colostomy, my prep for the take down surgery was much easier than trying to clean out my entire colon. I held a bowl or bucket and sat on a stool near the toilet. I told my family I needed the bathroom. All I have to say is I am doing a bowel prep and they not only give me the bathroom but leave the house (I've done bowel preps at least 10 times now)! But it was different. I just recall having either hand wipes or baby wipes for drips and quick wipe ups. A garbage can with bag inside, one or two boxes of tissues, etc. I was ready with everything I could think of in case I had a major mess on my hands. My colon doc said I wouldn't want to stoop and lean over the toilet. He recommended the bucket. I can't even remember what I actually used to catch the stool. Probably an old mop bucket and I may have pitched it after my prep was over. But it did go fairly well and I don't recall any wild or urgent eruptions. Just steady output when it started.

I also recall taking my bag off. Hours later when I knew all the output was over, I put a fresh wafer and bag on.

The wipes were nice to clean up around my stoma too. In between sitting there and waiting for more stool to come out.

Post Edited (Marsky) : 12/12/2008 12:39:11 PM (GMT-7)

I had my temporary colostomy 9 years ago so some of these important details are fuzzy. I know you will receive more replies so just be patient. I know we have members here who have colonosocopies so they'll be able to tell you how long the prep lasts. I remember it coming in spurts. I did stay in my bathroom area for quite a while though. I didn't venture into my bedroom and begin watching TV, for example. Like you I had plenty to read and kept it all nearby.

I had another suggestion, I recall buying a box of surgical type gloves. They would come in handy too. Just in case things do get messy.

But since I wasn't cleaning out the entire colon and only a portion of my colon, the output was shorter. So since you have an ileostomy your output time (overall) would probably be shorter than mine was. My colostomy was located on my left hand side just before the colon descends down. So I was cleaning out more of my GI tract than it sounds as if you are.

I was skeptical when my surgeon kept saying bowel preps were easier on patients with ostomies. I didn't believe him until I went thru it. It was easier!

Once you're done make sure you put a fresh bag on. There will be some output, even if small in amount, you wouldn't want to go without a bag.

I just do not do well with the prep either. No matter what I do, I get nauseous. I'm lucky if I can keep the second Fleet's Phospho Soda dose down. One thing I also do differently is I try and consume most of my liquids early in the prep day before I begin the laxatives. So by the time I am going into taking the meds, I've had at least 3/4 of my total fluid count recommended. The more I drink later, the fast it all comes out and the more I feel sick to my stomach. I also keep focusing on the following day, when it will all be over with!

It has been 6 months since I had my reversal but I do remember that it was not to bad.But I hope you have two bathrooms.I do remember that the bathroom by my bedroom was basicly mine for the whole day and half of the night befor surgery.GOOD LUCK.

Summerstorm, I went out and found it anyway. Thanks for the info. That's scary!! I've used lots of phosphosoda too and haven't had any problems like it said, at least not yet, but I'm definitely glad I don't have to take that anymore. This should be the last time I have to take the HalfLytley too, with any luck!

Reversal surgery in two days!! Counting down....very nervous. My anxiety level is building so high my stomach hurts...

I just had a ileostomy reversal and j-pouch surgery during my last surgery 3 weeks ago. My first surgery was where they just removed my colon and created the end ileostomy.

I'm surprised they prescribed a bowel prep for you. Do you have any colon left, a colostomy? If not, then taking a bowel prep is not necessary. My bowel prep for my last surgery was...day before surgery, eat a normal breakfast, then a light lunch, and then nothing else for the remainder of the day, then the standard nothing to drink or eat after midnight. My surgery was at 7:00 AM the next morning.

I would question a bowel prep from any doctor that says you need one when you have just an ileostomy. If you have any part of your colon with stool, then it makes sense to have a bowel prep. Otherwise, your just dehydrating yourself.