Positive reversal feedback

The point of this is to help someone who was as lost and confused as I was. It's very seldom I see positive feedback on reversals. Just like customer service, we only report the bad.

I am a 22 y.o female, who was diagnosed with UC in 2000. In 2001 I did the colon removal, ostomy, and reversal. Horrible experience, but ostomy products have improved since then! After my reversal I was running to the restroom at least 15 times a day, regardless of what I ate, on a bad day I might go up to 7 times in an hour. As I got older I adjusted my meals to my schedule, which meant breakfast was NOT an option, not even the smallest meal. When I started limiting myself to one meal a day, I knew something needed to be done. Plus I was sick of buying new clothing due to weight loss. Honestly, over the last couple of years I thought this was normal for my condition.

Fast forwarding to 2013: After being referred to several of "the best" GI doctors in my area, and several failed meds, I was introduced to yet another surgeon. After several examinations he explained to me that the way my previous surgeon had done my jpouch there was no place for stool to be held. So it was basically like a straight line, which is what was causing my above average bowel movements. (I hope that makes sense.)

A month later we scheduled what would be my 4th surgery, where he created a real jpouch so stool could be held. This time my ostomy bag experience was a lot smoother. 3 months later I had my reversal.

So as of today, I have been living with my reversal for a little less then a month. And honestly, it's been a blessing. I am able to eat breakfast and leave the house without hesitation. I go to the rest room 4-8 times a day. If I go any more than that, it's because I have to go pee due to my excessive water drinking. I have full control over my bowels during the day, at night it's a little more difficult. But I've also read that's to be expected right after surgery. I do have small leakage, but a small cotton ball or tissue in between the buttocks absorbs it and prevents stained panties. Also I use a paste called Ilex to help with the skin irritation over night (I've tried at least 15 skin barriers/protectancts over the years, NOTHING beats Ilex). I haven't really found any foods that I wouldn't eat due to my condition. Alcohol leads me to have looser bowels, as well as large sugar consumption but it doesn't stop me from consuming them. Safe to say this surgery has been the best life decision I've ever made. Well worth it.

I really hope this helps someone in question about getting a reversal. And I am open to questions, just shoot me an email.

No colon, still rolling. ;)

So glad to hear you found a great surgeon and got relief!

I'm curious as to what happened with the former surgeon that he could have screwed up so badly... was he inexperienced at the procedure? It sounds like you had a really terrible experience just because of his incompetence :(

Thank you! My surgeon believes it was because I was younger (about 10), apparently the way he set me up is how they do infants. And I was at a childrens hospital when I underwent my first 3 surgeries. I'm not sure, I'm just happy I'm fixed now lol.

Pluot said...
So glad to hear you found a great surgeon and got relief!

I'm curious as to what happened with the former surgeon that he could have screwed up so badly... was he inexperienced at the procedure? It sounds like you had a really terrible experience just because of his incompetence :(

Hi I'm 26 and got diagnosed uc dec 13 had colon removed jan 14 and hate the ileostomy 😡😢 looking forward to having reversal ( got 2 have 2 stages (jpouch created) then take down... I'm glad to hear a positive because all I see us negative so made me scared x

I'd had symptoms for 6mnths previous n my go told me I had piles :/ ended up going to a and e because kept been sick if explained about the blood loss they sent me for sigmoid camera... Diagnosed uc :( the damage was that bad there was no goin back my colon needed removing :( all happens so quick! I'd never even heard ov uc... I'm left with the question to if I had been diagnosed uc n treated sooner would the outcome still have been the same?!?! I feel I was neglected by my gp.... :( sooo I'm glad your reversal is positive... At the moment iv got a ileostomy due to see surgeon Friday because now have proctitis 😡🙈 steroids not easing it so hopefully fingers crossed in goin to have the j pouch created ASAP... I absolutely hate the bag :( 26year old with 4 children.. :( thank you x

Thank you for posting this. I'm glad things have worked out for you after all!