reversing colostomy

[steiconi]

I'm looking at reversing my colostomy. While I'm waiting to hear from the doctor, what can y'all tell me about the process?

Will it be a single surgery, or will I have a temp ileostomy for a while, then a second surgery to take down the ileo?
What's the recovery time? I saw one thread (reversals worth it?) where one person said it was 3 months. Sounds like a long time.
What's the best part of having a reversal?
what's the worst part?
Side effects, problems, horror stories, wonderfulnesses?

The reversal is penciled into the surgeon's schedule for November 7th, but I can change that if needed.

Thanks!

[steiconi]

This must be a very unpopular topic; I'm not getting any responses on UOAA, either.

[aja1121]

Seems like for most of the folks on this board, ileostomies get reversed but colostomies are permanent. I hope someone has some answers for you.

[steiconi]

yeah, I thought that was a rule or something, so was surprised when the doctor told me before surgery that it could be reversed. I suspect ileostomies are easier to reverse (less healing time? less musculature to reattach?) so if they plan on a temporary, they make it ileo.

I had the colonoscopy to deal with various issues, and planned on keeping it permanently, but the issues recurred after surgery, and brought friends with them. I'd be better off the way I was...

I have a surgery date (November 7), but the surgeon hasn't gotten back to me on details yet.

[jhocno197]

My husband's colostomy was planned to be temporary, so it is a thing they do sometimes. It hasn't worked out for him to be able to get a reversal, though, so they never told us details of how that would go.

[BeansMama]

I have a colostomy, however the first stoma went bad and they had to remove even more of my bowel after the first broke down and create a new stoma in a different spot. After that my surgeon told me being able to have a reversal was iffy. With all of the issues I had with my surgeries I am iffy on even trying it, so I am looking at mine as permanent. So reversing a colostomy is possible. I wish I could give you more information! I hope you are able to get a reversal, especially if that is what you want.