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how soon for reversal ostomies

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Posted 10/7/2007 7:08 PM (GMT 0)
hi, just wondering if anyone knows, if had an ostomy done as a precaution due to a complication with surgery, how soon can they be reconnected?  Has anyone out there been reconnected within a month?  or less?  thank you somuch
Posted 10/7/2007 7:47 PM (GMT 0)

Sadly,

I believe that would have to be determined by the surgeon only because it would depend upon what the surgeon is wanting to "heal" before they reconnect.  Many folks here have had temporary ostomies, including myself.  Although I have a permanent one now, my temporary was to allow things to heal after my surgeon removed a very disease portion of intestine.  I believe my temporary was for 8 weeks.  That was back in the late 70's.

Can you give us more information?

Posted 10/7/2007 8:07 PM (GMT 0)
Sadly:

I have had an ileostomy since August 2005. I am doing tests now to see if I am a candidate for reconnection. My surgeon & GI docs have told me that time is not that large an issue. But it will take 6-8 weeks before my system starts to work again. They said I should plan for a bout of colitis and a fairly rough transition period. I had necrotising pancreatitis with massive infections. I had part of my pancreas and large and small intestines removed, along with my gallbladder. It has taken me all this time to recover sufficiently to even consider a reconnection. I believe that one thing I have going for me is I never had CD like many of the contributors to this forum. Luckily, before I rushed back to try the reconnection some kind souls in this forum suggested waiting. I am pretty confident that it was the right decision to wait. Life with the bag is a challenge but you can still have a good quality of life. I think going back into surgery requires some serious consideration. Of course, your surgeon and your docs can give you the best information for your case. Good luck and God bless.

Richard
Posted 10/7/2007 8:10 PM (GMT 0)

Thank you Peggy.  After a major cancer surgery to remove visible cancer, there was a post op bleed-5 days later.  The source/cause  was never found.  As a precaution a temporary was done-I believe in case there was more bleeding, but there was not.  chemo will have to be done sytemically. I don't think they can do the surgery while on surgery-so we have been told.  Who knows what to believe anymore.  Didn't know if there was a min amt of time that was needed to pass to do anotehr surgery-reconnect. it is so hard to get an answere from anyone in the medical community that is consistent.  thank you very much for your input.

 

Posted 10/7/2007 8:40 PM (GMT 0)
I am the one here on this forum that keeps saying, "everyone is different". Healing times vary so drastically from one person to another. Maybe that is the medical communities hesitation as well. And to be honest, recovery from any surgery can be a draining time. Some folks can bounce back in just a couple of weeks, like Amey here on this board (she's amazing!), and others may take several months to really recover. It may also depend on how ill your body is before surgery, medications taken before, during, after; how well your immune system responds; etc, etc.

Others here can give you some idea how long they went between original surgery and reconnect. Good luck to you.
Posted 10/7/2007 10:39 PM (GMT 0)
Sadly,

My Dr has talked to me about a reversal. He said he felt that I should wait 3 months at the least. I have opted not to have the reversal and to keep the my ileostomy permanently. That said, everyone is different and your surgery, health, healing process, condition, and circumstances are all very different from mine. Your Dr probably knows what is best for you.
Posted 10/8/2007 1:16 AM (GMT 0)
I waited 4 months for my ileostomy reversal. It was an emergency ileostomy and my doctor told me I should be ready for reversal in about 6 weeks. Two months tops. But I kept putting off the reversal because I was feeling so good. I figured if it's not broke why fix it? Not only that but my surgeries are NEVER simple. There are always complications and I jut wasn't ready to go through the drama again. But I went ahead and got it reversed about 4 weeks ago.
Posted 10/8/2007 1:27 AM (GMT 0)
Sadly,

I also waited 4 months for my ileostomy reversal. My ileostomy was done in response to a fistula and was my 4th procedure in about a two-week period (bleeding episodes abounded). My surgeons were confident I would do well with a reversal after 6 -8 weeks. I put off the reversal for as long as I could, I felt SO GOOD with my ileostomy, my life had never been so easy. I am one-and-a-half weeks past reversal. The first week was all painkillers and sleep, I stayed in the hospital for nearly a week due to history of bleeding. Tonight I had chicken and salad for dinner. I understand the desire to "get on with life" especially when the ostomy is a surprise due to complication, but I will say it's a miraculous procedure and can be a real blessing in the healing process, allowing your body to do work it otherwise could not achieve without the relief from bowel work. I wish you the best.
Posted 10/8/2007 1:46 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you all so much  This forum has been so beyond helpful and reassuring at such a hard and difficult time. Meeting with Docs on Wens to see what they think and ques why and what has happened.

Just afraid the further out from original surgery the harder it is for the bodyto adjust.  It helps to have this forum so much.  

Thank you.  So glad for all the input. 

Posted 10/8/2007 2:07 AM (GMT 0)
Sadly,

I wish I had some advice for you. I can never be reversed, since I do not have a large intestine or a rectum anymore. I'm okay with it and don't miss them, since they were badly diseased with Crohn's. I hope you have a good visit with your doctor on Wednesday and get some good answers to your questions.

 

StomaGrrrl, I'm glad your surgery was a success and that you were able to eat a real meal today. That must've tasted delicious!

Posted 10/10/2007 11:25 PM (GMT 0)
I had complications with my temp ostomy.  Mine was reversed 4 months after the ostomy surgery

Posted 10/16/2007 12:11 AM (GMT 0)
Sadly, I received a temporary ileostomy July 23 for rectal surgery. My rectal corrective surgery (due to a 4th degree laceration from an episiotomy done during the delivery of my baby 21 years ago) performed on June 21 ended up not working out. I had more surgery done on June 27 because the doctor could not figure out why I was in so much pain. It ended up I had a huge abcess (infection) as well as a fistula. So he cleaned it out, did more stiching and I was in the hosptial for 2 weeks. On July 23 the doctor had to fix everything all over again and decided to give me an ileostomy. It's worked out so well. I don't have to worry about the area getting contaminated. I've even stopped my period. It means so much to me to keep this as long as I need it. It's been a blessing.
Posted 10/16/2007 8:03 AM (GMT 0)
Wow, Ohio, you've been through a lot! I hope this second surgery will prove to be successful. I'm glad the ileostomy is working out for you while you're healing from surgery. :-)
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