What should I ask my surgeon...

I have an appointment next Wednesday (8th June) with my original surgeon and I'm going to ask him to put my stoma back.

I can't go on as I am and after lots of discussion with my husband, we've decided it will bring me a better quality of life. Am very scared of course, but even whilst taking this new supposed 'wonder drug' prucalopride, I still had to take Picolax whilst on holiday this week.. The prucalopride barely works and makes me feel like I have morning sickness all the time and a constant headache. I seem to have to do a dose of picolax every 8-10 days just to get relief from the back up, bloating, nausea and distention. Have a few 'okayish' days then it all starts again...

So... what sort of questions should I be asking him? This is what I have on my list so far. Please feel free to add anything you think I should be asking.... some of you may know the answers to some of these questions too!

1. Loop or end stoma? - am wondering if he'll do a loop first, then if they're sure I'm feeling better, convert it to an end at some future point.

2. Can he put in a protective mesh to prevent hernia? will this make it a bigger op?

3. Will it be done open or laprascopic?

4. What happens to the redundant colon? does he need to take that out?

5. What are the long term complications and likelihood of repeat surgery or reforming of the stoma?

6. How long will it take, how long in hosp and what is the recovery like?

Whilst it's very scary, I feel excited that this will be the start of a new chapter and an opportunity to get my life back. I just hope he agrees!! my old stoma nurse has already written to him suggesting that this is what I want and that she's supporting my decision. Hope I'm making the right decision......

Thanks in advance xx

thanks sue. I had a small bowel follow through with barium and it whizzed through in 20 mins.. they're pretty sure it's just the colon that's affected. No-one really knows why but seems to be nerve damage from initial infection or surgery. I never had motility issues prior to all of this. Is there any other way of testing motility of the small bowel or is that the test you were thinking of?