Ileostomy Reversal-Is there anything I can do to prepare?

[StupidAssCancer]

Hi,
Thank you for your comments! I am having my ileostomy take down on the 15th of this month which is a little over 2 weeks away. I'm wondering is there anything I can do prior to the surgery take down to help prepare my body, rectum, etc for this? I have read a lot of the comments here on the forum but I do not find a thread with ideas or helps pre-surgery. Maybe there are not any and we just need to take the cards as they fall so to speak, however if there is something I could be doing I sure would like to know about it. Lord knows my Dr isn't telling me anything.
Second questions- I developed post surgery when I got my ostomy a rather large hernia under my stoma. It is the size of a football. My dr will be repairing my hernia at the time of my bag takedown surgery as well. Has anyone had this happen to them, and if so how was your recovery? Any pre or post surgery tips on dealing with the hernia portion of the surgery?
Thank you and god bless each and every one of us!
xo, Alys

[O Stoma Mia]

Hi,
Thank you for your comments! I am having my ileostomy take down on the 15th of this month which is a little over 2 weeks away. I'm wondering is there anything I can do prior to the surgery take down to help prepare my body, rectum, etc for this? I have read a lot of the comments here on the forum but I do not find a thread with ideas or helps pre-surgery. Maybe there are not any and we just need to take the cards as they fall so to speak, however if there is something I could be doing I sure would like to know about it. Lord knows my Dr isn't telling me anything.
Second questions- I developed post surgery when I got my ostomy a rather large hernia under my stoma. It is the size of a football. My dr will be repairing my hernia at the time of my bag takedown surgery as well. Has anyone had this happen to them, and if so how was your recovery? Any pre or post surgery tips on dealing with the hernia portion of the surgery?
Thank you and god bless each and every one of us!
xo, Alys

Alys - You can get information on ileostomy reversal preparation by doing a Google search with keywords ILEOSTOMY REVERSAL PREPARATION

Also, in the time between now and your reversal surgery you should try to do as many Kegel exercises or sphincter excercises as possible in order to strengthen your sphincter muscles.

SphincterExercisesforBowelControl

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You can get information from relevant threads on this Forum by using a Google search on the Internet and including COLONCLUB among the keywords. (NOTE: COLONCLUB is typed as a single 9-character word, with no embedded spaces.)

Examples of Google search keywords, in UPPERCASE: (Searches such as these will retrieve relevant Forum threads ordered by popularity and frequency)

Google: COLONCLUB KEGEL EXERCISES

Google: COLONCLUB ILEOSTOMY REVERSAL

Google: COLONCLUB HERNIA REPAIR

Google: COLONCLUB INCISIONAL HERNIA

Google: COLONCLUB BUTT PAIN
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EDIT:
See leaflets below:

Stoma Reversal Leaflet

Regaining Bowel Control Leaflet

[jean60]

Hi,
Thank you for your comments! I am having my ileostomy take down on the 15th of this month which is a little over 2 weeks away. I'm wondering is there anything I can do prior to the surgery take down to help prepare my body, rectum, etc for this? I have read a lot of the comments here on the forum but I do not find a thread with ideas or helps pre-surgery. Maybe there are not any and we just need to take the cards as they fall so to speak, however if there is something I could be doing I sure would like to know about it. Lord knows my Dr isn't telling me anything.
Second questions- I developed post surgery when I got my ostomy a rather large hernia under my stoma. It is the size of a football. My dr will be repairing my hernia at the time of my bag takedown surgery as well. Has anyone had this happen to them, and if so how was your recovery? Any pre or post surgery tips on dealing with the hernia portion of the surgery?
Thank you and god bless each and every one of us!
xo, Alys

I am sure others will chime in here but the best advice I can give regarding the reversal is to do the Kegels, do the Kegels and then do the Kegels. That will be beneficial for you however the reversal goes and from what I can see, there is a large variety of experience with reversals so some of it truly is wait and see.
I had my reversal done last May and a hernia repair 2 1/2 weeks ago and I truly cannot imagine going through both at the same time. However, all that means is that I haven't experienced it! My hernia was in the main incision from the LAR but I know my surgeon also reinforced/worked on the former stoma area as well. Hernia repairs are known for being painful recoveries (again, experiences vary) so I wish you the best with that and everything.
Let us know how it goes!

Jean

[stevieb]

In my experience, I needed lots of ointment and adult diapers until my body adjusted. Metamucil helped to slow things down to get formed stools and not go as often. You will have to figure out what works for your body. Well Wishes!

[Oneeyeddog]

Thanks for starting this thread, Alys. Interested in this as my reversal is scheduled for Jan 29th. I haven't really started researching this as wife is due baby at the moment, but those Kegels exercises sound like a great tip. Will definitely start doing them. Good luck with the surgery, Alys.

[justin case]

This may not help you, as much as someone else. Please find a place to donate your leftover ostomy supplies, mine were gratefully received. May your transition be all you want it to be!
warm regards,
Michael

[StupidAssCancer]

Thank you to all who posted comments. I have found them all very helpful. I have started my Keagle's and also read the attached link pamphlet of rectal exercises.
OneEyeddog, I just finished spending the past hour on your blog. Laughed my ass off so entertained by your experiences and ability to share them in such a great way. I want to be your new best friend. the kind that meets me at the bar for a few rounds and we laugh and talk about the bullshit we have been through. Thank you for making my day, my week and my month! Geesh and they always said I was hard to please!
xo,Alys

[gtownguy]

I had a small hernia that was also repaired at the same time my ileostomy reversal was performed. In my case, I don't think it really changed anything about the reversal.

As far as preparation goes, I would bring some Depends with you to the hospital. Once you're reconnected, the floodgates are open.

Also stock up on Calmoseptine ointment (it's over the counter) - really the best thing to help the inevitable "butt burn."

Good luck with everything!

[StupidAssCancer]

Ok great advise! Ill go tomorrow and get both the ointment and the adult diapers! I never ever thought I'd say those words!

[Rob in PA]

Agree...kegel, kegel, kegel. And even then be prepared for accidents...

Just remember the big picture and your recovery will be over soon enough.

Best
Rob

[Rheaeliza]

Yes thanks for this thread! My reversal is scheduled for Jan. 17th, so it sounds like there are a few of us going through the same thing at the same time. I, too never thought I would have to make a run to the store to buy adult diapers and bum cream at this age (31). Oh well, at least I no longer have to buy tampons. Saving money there at least.

I guess this beats my purchases of metamucil and ensure.

[Oneeyeddog]

Nothing like being in your 30s and running out for adult diapers. Not looking forward to that part, but them's the breaks I guess.

[lauragb]

We are all so different.
So there is a minority of folks who have more issues with getting anything to come out than with loose movements. If you're one of these, you may not need the depends, but the calmoseptine will be your
friend. Or if you end up needing to use miralax or milk of magnesia, then you may want to keep those depends on hand just in case.
It seems like some folks recover easily from the reversal too, but the first weeks following the takedown are challenging for most. You will get through it just like you have everything else.

[StupidAssCancer]

Has anyone tried doing warm water enimas prior to reversal surgery to help tone and strengthen muscles?
Curios about this?
xo, Alys

[Cured]

Alys, Concerning the hernia which the ostomy in essence created: Let it heal. My surgeon was very, very cautious about letting me lift anything or get aggressive with exercise. It was 6 months before he allowed me to do serious exercise. I also know several people who have had hernia repairs and tore them by doing too much too soon. Be patient.

(sorry I am not touching the enema question)