Ileostomy reversal direct connect to rectum

I have been reading a lot of post on reversal surgery. I had my colon removed in April 2013 and my surgeon is saying I can gave the reversal surgery to connect the small intestine to the rectum. I have heard good and bad sides to this surgery. Any input would be appreciated. I was wondering if my bowl movements will match my ostomy output? I am very nervous about the surgery. Thanks in advance for tour inputs.

I initially had ileo rectal anastomosis with my colectomy. But then needed ileostomy surgery. On the fence too, I can have it reversed next week along with my gallbladder removal. Understand your nervousness, as am I.

Having your rectum is a benefit, hopefully you still have all of yours left. I don't know what initially happened with you.

For most, it is a successful surgery. You have to keep in mind that most input you may hear, it's of the 10% of those that fail. The 90% is out living it up!

Having a knowledgeable, understanding surgeon means the world of difference. Before/during/after surgery. Discuss with him/her your concerns. Regarding bm's, it will not match your ostomy output. It will be formed, you will have control with your rectum, much like before. But it takes time post-op.

Keep the questions coming!

Hi Windy City,

I was wondering why you had to have an illiostomy after your IRA was done? I had mesenteric venous thrombosis of the colon, that is why they took my colon. I still have my rectum and a few inches of my sigmoid colon still left, that is where they will attach. Have you made your decision on the reversal yet? My IRA is going to be done 8/15. Really nervous but pray all goes well. Please stay in touch, I appreciate it.

Hey Windy City,

Hope you are well. Have you decided if you are going to do your IRA Wednesday? My surgeon told me he hand sews all his IRA. Keeping you in my prayers.

Hi there - when you say rectum are you referring to the sigmoid? If so, if your sigmoid is 100% intact, I think your reversal will go well.

I had a resection, 90% of my sigmoid removed, 15 inches above that point on the tract too (for cancer), temp ostomy created. When my ostomy was reversed, the "fun" began for me. I now am left with multiple bm's daily, for the rest of my life. My initial surgeon didn't quite explain all of this very well, he moved out of town and I was referred to another top notch colorectal surgeon. She gave me a thorough exam, asked me to get dressed, come to her office and we would discuss my options. She showed me an image of a normal intact colon in a journal. And then proceeded to draw for me a visual of what my lower colon looks like now. She said - see here, you used to have a sigmoid, which acts like the GI tract's reservoir holding back stool and ideally you only have 1 or 2 bm's per day. She said this part is your "new" sigmoid/reservoir, an actual pulled down part of my colon. She said the walls of this new sigmoid area cannot swell like the original sigmoid can, holding back stool so you don't have accidents and the like. She said - I'm sorry to say but you do not have an interior place now for stool to slowly collect through out your day and back up. When it slides down, you will need to use a bathroom. I said - DON'T I KNOW IT, I CAN FEEL IT SLIDING DOWN!". I sighed, she sighed, I started crying, she teared up and muttered - sometimes I wonder if we should be doing these surgeries (returning patients to their rectums and not an ostomy).

It's not important to go into what I did next (a series of fiber supplements, high fiber diet, low fiber diet, a myriad of things).

My body is what it is. I've accept this now.

But she did say I could have elective surgery, the creation of a J-Pouch or an inverted colostomy, placed low on my left hand side. I would irrigate this opening (flush with my skin), once every 24 hours with tubing and wait for the return into the toilet. She claimed I would be stool output free for 23 hours a day. Did I believe this? NO! And besides it was going to be a lengthy hospital stay - again - and our insurance was minimal at that point (still is, hubby works for very small company, I can only work PT). So I said no thank you to more surgery.

Please ask your doctor if you'll end up with a viable internal reservoir, so your stool can collect and you won't experience what I've experienced. I wouldn't wish my situation upon anyone.

Day 3

Woke up very early, 3am had a bowel movement of liquid. Also cam down with the hiccups and burping. They said I had to much to eat the first time, thus my stomach is lagging behind. Had some nausea as well, but that is not uncommon. They have me walking a lot to keep my bowls working. Total bowel movements day two were 9.

Day 4
Got a good 5 hours of sleep. Doctors rounds were at 4am. Still have me on ice chips and sips of water. Been up walking around and they are still wanting me to try some chicken broth. That stayed down good. Played some card games with my wife and had some good time together. Total bowl movements today have been 5, but not a lot of intake. Also, not having to run to the bathroom either. Good day.

Day 5
Had a fair nights sleep. Had some gas type pains around 4am, but that is good, bowls waking up. Was allowed regular food at lunch, meatloaf, mashed potatoes and sherbet; dinner was baked fish, Mac & cheese, sherbet. All food tasted good, no nausea. Had 9 bowel movements mostly watery with some form towards evening. They about 2 hours apart. Did sleep through the night without interruption.

Day 6
Had good nights rest, doctors rounds early. Had breakfast of scrambled eggs & French toast. Was informed I was cleared to go home. Have 4hour ride home, alittle nervous about bathroom stops. Bought some men's depends underwear just in case. Had bowl movement before leaving. At lunch, chicken sandwich, stopped at each rest area, no bowl movement til I got home. Was really surprised how the trip home went.
Had dinner and two bowl movements before going to bed at 11pm.

Day 7
Was up at 3:30 am, bowls moving. Nice to sleep in own bed. Have had a lot of gas pains today, rested in recliner most of day with 7 bowel movements. Not having to run to bathroom, can pretty closely tell when bowel movement coming, no accidents. To bed early, 10 am.

Day 8
Slept through the night pretty well. Woke up at 5am, had bowl movement and some pain. After bowl movement, a lot of gas release, felt better. Have been taking pain meds, oxy, 15 mg every 4hours. Not having a lot of pain, going about every 6hours on pain meds and dropping down to 10 mg. now. Have had 4 bowl movements today, seem to be 2hours after I eat. I feel very blessed with my results so far, my wife is caring for my open wound where my stoma was. They say it will heal faster this way. That is where most of my discomfort is coming from. It will be nice when that is totally healed. Off to bed, 11pm.

It has been 4weeks post operative. Everything is working fine and I generally have 4 to 5 bowel movements a day. They feel like ant ordinary bowel movement and I am able to hold off for alittle while, no rush, rush to the bathroom. I have normally semi solid fecal matter, and try to stay well hydrated 80 to 96 ounces of fluid per day (water, propel, Gatorade) to help replenish electrolytes. My energy level is getting better each day, I walk in the evening when it is cooler to build my stamina back up. I will be going back to work in 4 weeks which will put me at 8 weeks post op. My stoma incision is healing well, it is an open wound heal where I change the dressing daily. It will nice when that is complete. Overall I am very pleased with my results to date and would not think twice about having this procedure done.

Thanks for sharing, knew you would do just great!!!!!!

You have made wonderful strides! So happy for you, it is truly a inspiring story!!

Hi,

I'm new to this site, but not to the many posted stories concerning Rectal Cancer (chemo, radiation, surgery, ileostomy, & ileostomy reversal). I'm 5 weeks post ileostomy reversal and have gotten better control on bowel movements based on my diet. I am all too familiar with the burning sensation that certain foods (even mildly spiced) can cause. I'm aware that it's due to the fact that the colon cannot absorb as much acids as it used to but was wondering if anyone takes medication to sequester or neutralize these acids and avoid the burn as much as possible. I take Metamucil daily, simply to bulk-up the stool and reform the rectum. Thanks in advance for your input!

Thats very reassuring. I'll be looking toward this procedure in about 6 months. It's definitely a huge decision.

It has been just alittle over a year since I had my colon removed and 3 months shy of my IRA surgery and my life has returned to normal and I am feeling much better than I ever have. There is much hope and better days ahead for those of you who still have so much doubt and skeptic about surgery. The Lord has truely blessed my life and if I can help anyone with encouragement and belief that life can get better, trust those who have been through the multiple surgeries. If I had to do it all over again, I wouldn't hesitate to do it again. I am one enjoying life, my new lease on life, thank you Dr. Karl Byrne and The Medical University of South Carolina Digestive Disease Center, you saved my life and you gave me life!