Are you using convex wafers? I am not too familiar with colostomies, I had an ileostomy, which tends to have thinner output, and the convex really helped keep mine easy to manage. Is your stoma short?
I wouldn't expect a tough time after reversal. Most of the people here who discuss reversal have had surgery due to UC, so we do not have our natural rectum. Because of this, we have faster transit and looser stool. Depending on your unique situation, you could have an easy time, or a difficult time. I think I would go by the advice of an experienced colorectal surgeon to say whether you're a good candidate for reversal and what you can expect so far as quality of life afterwards. Do you know who the surgeon will be? You could consult with multiple surgeons if it gives you more confidence and direction on what is the best option for you.
With my ostomy, I would go out all day and not worry about
changing. Do you wear drainable pouches, or are they closed end? With the ileostomy, we would wear
open end and empty daily, probably 6x or so, and change the wafer 1x a week (or more if needed, but often it wasn't necessary). I had mine reversed about
2 years ago... It sounds like you could benefit from seeing an ostomy nurse to get some ideas of how to improve your experience with the ostomy, but also consult some surgeons to see about
reversing if you decide you want to go that route.
