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Reversal

Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2018 11:57 pm
by Atoq
I am starting a new topic because I fell I am not that «new» anymore. Today is time for ileostomy reversal. I am a bit worried about life after, because now my life quality is excellent :D But it is worth to give it a try!

All the best

Claudia

Reversal Tips and Reversal Logs

Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2018 12:42 am
by O Stoma Mia
Good luck on your reversal today! We'll be thinking of you.

Here are some tips on ileostomy reversal from a previous post:

O Stoma Mia wrote:It looks like you have covered most of the important things, but I'll mention a few things that I have said before in other places:


oooooa

Re: Reversal

Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2018 6:05 am
by heiders33
Good luck with the reversal! Be sure to have some diapers and calmoseptine ointment on hand just in case.

Re: Reversal

Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2018 6:55 am
by Atoq
Thanks a lot! I am already back to my room and they said everything went as planned. Strange to wake up without the bag.

Best

Claudia

Re: Reversal

Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2018 7:53 am
by susie0915
Just give it time. Everyone responds differently, but there are many things that can be done to control bowel movements. Many do well right out of the gate, others use fiber supplements, immodium, or lomotil to slow things down. Diet can play a role as well. I tried different things for about 15 months. I never had issues with incontinence but with frequent small bowel movements. When most of your rectum is gone there is nothing to hold stool. I ended up going to a bowel control clinic, did some tests, met with a dietician, and also did pelvic floor physical therapy. All very helpful. I now do daily tap water enemas to empty the lower bowel and give me a full day of freedom without needing to use the restroom. It takes me about 30 minutes, allowed me to eliminate meds, I can basically eat what I want without fear, and have been able to gain some of the weight I lost during treatment. There are many options available, but like I said many do pretty well with just diet adjustments and daily fiber. It can take some time to know where you will be with regard to your bowel function. Good luck with your recovery. I'm glad all went well.

Re: Reversal

Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2018 10:10 am
by O Stoma Mia
As others have said, it will take time to see how things settle down.

In your case, I think the main underlying variable is the effect that your January LAR surgery might have had on the muscles, nerves, and blood vessels in the pelvic region, as well as the effect that the radiation may have had on the nearby tissues. You had a tumor removed 5cm from the anal verge, and you also had a major hysterectomy at the same time. In addition, the tissues in the lower pelvic region have probably become degraded due to the radiation exposure. It is not clear how much of your rectum now remains after the surgery, and how many of the essential nearby muscles, blood vessels and nerve connections in the pelvic floor are still present and still functional after the surgery. Only time will tell as you recover from the reversal and as you start trying to use these muscles to control your bowel movements.

At first, it may seem that you have no control at all, but the control will eventually get better over time. But, in my experience, the doctors cannot predict very well how fast the recovery will occur. You will probably be the best judge of how fast things are going to progress.

Are you in much pain now? One of the possible problems during reversal recovery is over-use of strong pain medications in the immediate post-operative period. Over-use of these strong medications can cause constipation and other difficulties and make it more difficult to develop a natural bowel movement sequence.

Re: Reversal

Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2018 10:53 am
by Atoq
susie0915 wrote:Just give it time. Everyone responds differently, but there are many things that can be done to control bowel movements. Many do well right out of the gate, others use fiber supplements, immodium, or lomotil to slow things down. Diet can play a role as well. I tried different things for about 15 months.


Thanks a lot Susie, it is very nice to know that there are many options to try and read about people like you who regain control with daily enemas.

Claudia

Re: Reversal

Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2018 11:02 am
by Atoq
O Stoma Mia wrote:As others have said, it will take time to see how things settle down.

In your case, I think the main underlying variable is the effect that your January LAR surgery might have had on the muscles, nerves, and blood vessels in the pelvic region, as well as the effect that the radiation may have had on the nearby tissues. You had a tumor removed 5cm from the anal verge, and you also had a major hysterectomy at the same time. In addition, the tissues in the lower pelvic region have probably become degraded due to the radiation exposure. It is not clear how much of your rectum now remains after the surgery, and how many of the essential nearby muscles, blood vessels and nerve connections in the pelvic floor are still present and still functional after the surgery. Only time will tell as you recover from the reversal and as you start trying to use these muscles to control your bowel movements.

At first, it may seem that you have no control at all, but the control will eventually get better over time. But, in my experience, the doctors cannot predict very well how fast the recovery will occur. You will probably be the best judge of how fast things are going to progress.

Are you in much pain now? One of the possible problems during reversal recovery is over-use of strong pain medications in the immediate post-operative period. Over-use of these strong medications can cause constipation and other difficulties and make it more difficult to develop a natural bowel movement sequence.


Yes, there are lots of variables in there, surgery did damage the nerves to the urine bladder, but they slowly repaired themselves. For the time being I have not being in pain, but maybe I got a strong medication before surgery and the effect will fade out soon. Right now I am sitting on the bed and feel only a bit of pain around the stomy.

Claudia

Re: Reversal

Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2018 11:40 am
by Aqx99
Good luck! There is so much for your body to learn after reversal, so take it slow. My pelvic physical therapist helped me with dietary advice, because I was struggling. Reintroduce new foods slowly, one at a time. Your body will adjust. I keep a journal of food intake and bowel movements, so I know how foods affect my system.

Re: Reversal

Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2018 11:47 am
by Atoq
Thanks and congratulations for the wondeful PET result! :D

Claudia

Re: Reversal

Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2018 2:41 pm
by NHMike
That was fast. I was looking at the timestamps and you must be way ahead of us.

I hope things go really well. I'm impressed that you posted the same day after your surgery.

Re: Reversal

Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2018 4:05 pm
by Atoq
NHMike wrote:That was fast. I was looking at the timestamps and you must be way ahead of us.

I hope things go really well. I'm impressed that you posted the same day after your surgery.


Thanks Mike! This surgery was a piece of cake, I am already walking in the corridors and feel not limited by the surgery wound. I guess the difficult part has still to start :)
Yes here it is past 23 now.

Claudia

Re: Reversal

Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2018 5:29 pm
by SteveNZ
Atoq wrote:Thanks a lot! I am already back to my room and they said everything went as planned. Strange to wake up without the bag.

Best

Claudia

Thinking of you Claudia.
I hope all goes well ..... It is almost like another chapter in your story to beat cancer. And even for me (I know I have it pretty good compared to so many) I discovered it is a 'thick, thick' book of each of our personal story's. May there be some chapters full of joy and laughter.
I will be praying for you. :D
Steve

Re: Reversal

Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2018 7:04 pm
by heiders33
Yup, the hard part of this surgery’s recovery comes after you leave the hospital. :o Keep us posted!

Re: Reversal

Posted: Wed Jun 06, 2018 1:37 am
by Atoq
It looks like they are ready to send me home, things are going through the system, but I am still very careful with what I eat. The pain from the stomy site is very little.

Claudia