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Re: Reversal Log: Experience,Problems, Q & A's
Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2019 12:05 pm
by Gravelyguy
Hi Eleda,
For my reversal it was just fasting like before surgery. Good luck on the reversal. It felt great, for me, to wake up without a pouch!
Dave
Re: Reversal Log: Experience,Problems, Q & A's
Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2019 1:40 pm
by MissMolly
Eleda wrote:Hi there, I'm quarter way through this post and just have a question about prep before reversal??? Is it bowel prep same as colonoscopy, or only fasting like surgery
Thanks Adele X
Hi Adele:
Your surgeon will likely have you follow a clear liquid diet for about 24 hours before your loop ileostomy take-down surgery.
Average transit time for food from chewing and swallowing (yum, yum) to the end of the small intestine is 12-14 hours. The goal is to have the small intestine fairly clear of digestive food material in making the reconnection.
Some surgeons will be less stringent in holding to a 24 hour clear liquid protocol, with some instructing to keep to clear liquids for 12 hours prior.
My own take is that a longer 24 hour clear liquid period gives more leeway in reducing potential risk of seepage of fecal contents and possible complications.
Certainly the prep for your reversal will most likely not be as onerous as what you may have had to follow for other intestinal procedures.
Sending you best wishes for a worry-free reversal,
Karen
Re: Reversal Log: Experience,Problems, Q & A's
Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2019 1:50 pm
by Eleda
Thanks Karen,
that's an ease to know lol, hated movicol
Liquid diet is no problem , thanks and fingers crossed this time next month it will be all over
ADELE X
Re: Reversal Log: Experience,Problems, Q & A's
Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2019 2:10 pm
by MissMolly
Just a word to ease some who are concerned about life after a loop ileostomy reversal and considering a colostomy if effects of LARS syndrome are untenable . . .
A loop ileostomy, as is placed as a temporary ostomy to allow for healing, is respected by those like myself with a permanent ostomy to be among the most difficult ostomies to take care of and live with. A loop ileoatomy is high maintenance. No doubt about it. The stoma is sited higher up the small intestine than an end ileoatomy with significant effects.
1. Fecal output of a loop ileostomy is highly liquid in consistency and of high volume. Emptying a pouch is on the order of 12 times a day. Dehydration is a concern.
2. Fecal output of a loop ileostomy is higher in digestive enzymes, with skin irritation and skin breakdown a challenge.
3. The stoma size and configuration of a loop ileostomy is far larger and more overwhelming to see and process emotionally as well as to pouch successfully. A loop ileostomy has 2 stomas that sit side by side (active stoma and mucus stoma) as a length of intestine is split longitudinally. The larger size of a loop ileostomy stoma can be difficult to pouch. A difficult to pouch stoma lends to more disconcerting leaks and wafer failures and overall frustration.
Little wonder individuals on this board welcome a loop ileostomy reversal.
But is also leaves individuals cringing at the thought of an ostomy again if post-reversal bowel control is lacking. The thoughts of their loop ileostomies are like PTSD.
An elective ostomy where LARS syndrome is severe is not a return to a loop ileostomy. An elective ostomy would be an end colostomy positioned depending on the remaining sigmoid colon or rectum.
1. A colostomy would be a small, single stoma positioned on the left side of the body.
2. Fecal output with a colostomy is usually similar in frequency to a person’s pre-existing bowel pattern - a bowel movement once or twice a day as compared to an ileostomy where fecal output is almost constant.
3. Pouching options for a colostomy include single-use, disposable, closed-ended pouches. What does this mean? It means that a person with a colostomy wears a pouch that is empty for the majority of the day. After a bowel movement, simply remove the soiled pouch and place on a new, fresh pouch. Easy peezy. Place the soiled pouch in a zip lock bag/doggy poop bag and then toss into the regular trash. Pouches come in a variety of sizes, from a 5” mini pouch to a 12” maxi pouch.
4. Fecal output with a colostomy is semi-soft with far fewer digestive enzymes. Skin irritation is far less. Most people use far fewer accessory ostomy products to secure a seal with a colostomy. Far less need for use of barrier rings or securing adhesive strips.
Overall, the care and maintenance of a colostomy is far less onerous and distressing than a loop ileostomy. For anyone where post-reversal LAR symptoms are robbing you from a quality of life, do not be afraid of considering a colostomy. The two experiences are vastly different. A colostomy is a “piece of cake” as compared to a loop ileostomy.
Karen
Re: Reversal Log: Experience,Problems, Q & A's
Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2019 5:58 am
by lakeswim
MissMolly. Informative post. Thank you.
Re: Reversal Log: Experience,Problems, Q & A's
Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2019 3:45 pm
by Eleda
Another trivial question????????
So I do think the reversal log is a great idea,,,,
Any pictullar type of incontinence underwear I should get,,, don't want to get 10 different varieties, before I get the right one,
Obviously people may have different preferences but I'm sure there may be a common one which works best for our situation ( liquid feces
) as apposed to bladder control ones,
Re: Reversal Log: Experience,Problems, Q & A's
Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2019 4:04 pm
by justin case
Eleda wrote:Another trivial question????????
So I do think the reversal log is a great idea,,,,
Any pictullar type of incontinence underwear I should get,,, don't want to get 10 different varieties, before I get the right one,
Obviously people may have different preferences but I'm sure there may be a common one which works best for our situation ( liquid feces
) as apposed to bladder control ones,
I carried a spare pair of under ware, just in case ! It's also good to know where there are places on your travels that have restrooms. I've never needed a control device . A fast foot once in a while .
justin case
Re: Reversal Log: Experience,Problems, Q & A's
Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2019 4:18 pm
by Eleda
Ha ha too funny Justin
I remember having a leek after my resection ( no one told me about that
)
Or the mucus poops so just don't want to b blindsided this time
ADELE X
Re: Reversal Log: Experience,Problems, Q & A's
Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2019 4:19 pm
by Eleda
Looking forward to that part Dave, but pretty much dreading the recovery process on this one
Adele x
Re: Reversal Log: Experience,Problems, Q & A's
Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2019 7:02 pm
by MissMolly
Eleda wrote:Any pictullar type of incontinence underwear I should get,,, don't want to get 10 different varieties
I was recently diagnosed with a tunneling fistula that has decided to drain from my surgically closed backend. A constant seepage. I found “post pardum mesh underware” on Amazon that is proving to be very useful.
The mesh underware is like fishnet material - stretchy, airy, comfortable, and stays in place without having to reposition or tug on the underware. I line the mesh underware with a liner pad.
I am technology-challenged and do not know how to post a link to the mesh underware. It is listed as “post pardon mesh underware” on Amazon. There are similar mesh underwear options for men.
Karen
Re: Reversal Log: Experience,Problems, Q & A's
Posted: Mon Apr 01, 2019 9:27 am
by Eleda
At the moment miss Molly, I've now a fistula going from rectum to vaginal canal about 3cm from anal verge which I'm hoping will heal before we'd or I'm back to theatre to reverse my reversal to allow to heal,,,
It's literally a pain in the ass, to see what problems a tiny leak in that area can cause
ADELE X
Re: Reversal Log: Experience,Problems, Q & A's
Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2019 4:35 am
by Eleda
I'm actually using them ATM miss Molly because of my incontinence
STILL
I'm absolutely in a heap ATM
I'm 4 weeks out and (sorry for the graphic contents)
My ass is bleeding from wiping ( water wipes or shower head only)........
Along with the cheeks of my bum ( using truckload of zinc cream and aquafore)
My hemmorides are the size of grapes making it hard to clench and hold ,,,...!!!!!!!!......all for a shart producing MILK DUD
Stated on physillum husk yesterday 1tsp, today X2 )with a banana, and had 2 pieces of bread ( still lots of clustering)
Same today ( I'm afraid to eat because what goes in must come out
I don't seem to have much control still,( poo is still soft)
Will it take much longer to improve,,,
I've read every single reversal post and such differences between recovery
At least I can laugh when I have to run mid conversation from someone,,,,
Not so much when I'm scraping poo of a bloody bumm
Any help appreciated
ADELE
Re: Reversal Log: Experience,Problems, Q & A's
Posted: Wed Apr 17, 2019 6:11 pm
by juliej
Eleda wrote:I'm actually using them ATM miss Molly because of my incontinence
STILL
I'm absolutely in a heap ATM
I'm 4 weeks out and (sorry for the graphic contents)
My ass is bleeding from wiping ( water wipes or shower head only)........
Along with the cheeks of my bum ( using truckload of zinc cream and aquafore)
My hemmorides are the size of grapes making it hard to clench and hold ,,,...!!!!!!!!......all for a shart producing MILK DUD
Stated on physillum husk yesterday 1tsp, today X2 )with a banana, and had 2 pieces of bread ( still lots of clustering)
Same today ( I'm afraid to eat because what goes in must come out
I don't seem to have much control still,( poo is still soft)
Will it take much longer to improve,,,
I've read every single reversal post and such differences between recovery
At least I can laugh when I have to run mid conversation from someone,,,,
Not so much when I'm scraping poo of a bloody bumm
Any help appreciated
ADELE
Adele, have you tried Calmoseptine? It's a miracle worker for sore bums!
https://www.walgreens.com/store/c/calmoseptine-ointment-to-prevent-%26-heal-skin-irritations/ID=prod3285901-productAnd are you taking probiotics? VSL Probiotic 3 (often called VSL #3) has helped many people and is definitely worth a try.
Juliej
Re: Reversal Log: Experience,Problems, Q & A's
Posted: Fri Apr 19, 2019 9:44 am
by tminor5
This was a very good thread to read. My husband had a reversal for his colostomy on March 29 however, since the dr was worried about leaking (even though the test passed during surgery) he decided to give him a temp illeostomy. Boy has that been a change. Butt we saw his nurse who helped pouch is ostomy and she helped us pouch his illeostomy. It is now making it 3 days. The surgeon said if he had leaked at all he would have a permanent colostomy. He will go in for the barium test on May 31 and hopefully have a full reversal that next week.
Re: Reversal Log: Experience,Problems, Q & A's
Posted: Fri Apr 19, 2019 11:31 am
by Eleda
Thanks Juliej ,,,
I'd try anything at this point!!!!!
Tminor5 I'm confused as to getting a temp colostomy then illeostomy before reversing?????
I had an illeostomy and after reversal and a fisture should up next day( I noticed) and he was then going to give me a closteomy until the fisture healed but in second surgery a week later he decided against ( maybe my complete devistation at the time helped forced that )
So I'm hoping it will heal, and on my merry way I go!!!
My leek barely showed with the gastrografin enema, I was bouncing around so it would show because I knew it was there,,,,
Jesus if we get through this well get through anything
We're a tough bunch
Adele X