Robotic Surgery Colostomy Reversal

[Crystalstar]

I had a colostomy since August 2023 when a hospital sent me home after taking a CT scan, saying that I was just constipated. I was in severe pain, crying, but I went home and two weeks later was admitted to a different hospital going septic, almost died. I think back to the eight months of antibiotic treatment due to a UTI, constant antibiotics for UTIs every month, usage of eight hour ibuprofen, and a sonogram that did not see a huge kidney stone, as being the culprits (also the 1st hospital not correctly reading my cat scan and sending me home - even my primary care noticed the cat scan was a 911 issue) for causing my colostomy. I ended up septic at 2nd hospital, got colosotomy, removed appendix, then a stent to repair large kidney stone. 3 weeks hospital, 3 weeks rehab.

After about 6 months, ended up with scar tissue blockage, in hospital 1 week, scar tissue was removed.

My colostomy never had thick output until I supplemented early in 2024 with the following: Magesium Glycinate, Potassium, Lugols Iodine, Vitamin E Tocotrienals for scar tissue protection, K2 & D3, and a probiotic called Saccharomyces Boulardii + MOS. Also started a protein powder with with creatine (about 1/2 of dose you would take for a pre-workout). Within 4 weeks, my thin watery stool became normal output! I knew then, I was ready for my reversal.

Before any supplementation, consult your Doctor first!

I proceeded to have a colonoscopy in March, after my scar tissue removal. All was fine and a few polyps removed.

I knew I was ready, for my reversal and set an appointment to discuss it with the surgeon that had done my colonoscopy. I do a lot of research and decided that I wanted a robotic surgery colostomy reversal. The downtime is much less than with a manual or laparoscopic colostomy reversal, most of the time, and I was determined to have it and my surgeon that did the colonoscopy, said no no no you are not a candidate for that, you have had extensive scar tissue, you have a very long extended colon and rectum, and you might wake up with two colostomies instead of no colostomy. For some reason that did not sit well with me and I sought out another surgeon and did some more research. I found a robotic surgeon that was well known in a large city next to me, made an appointment, and she said you certainly are a candidate so let's set a date. My intuition set well with this surgeon, and even though I had to wait 4 months to get my surgery done, which drove me crazy, I am glad that I waited.

I am three weeks post reversal and I am doing better than expected as they had to remove 2 feet of my extra long colon and was in the hospital only five days. I had one episode of three days of nausea and diarrhea, but with a tiny amount of fiber, I am back to normal. My only problem is I have lost 35 pounds, 5 foot 6 1/2 weigh 99 pounds, but I hope to gain that all back now that the reversal is done, and my anxiety has lessened.

Hint - rely on your intuition. Do research. Robotic surgery has come a long way and it is much easier to survive the post recovery part with a few one inch incisions! Get more than one opinion!

If anyone has ideas on how I can gain some weight back, please let me know!

[meady61]

It’s great to hear that you’re doing better after your reversal. I agree, intuition is so important in these situations. It sounds like you made the right choice with the surgeon, and waiting those extra months probably made all the difference.

[Shamrock4806]

"If anyone has ideas on how I can gain some weight back, please let me know"

Brown rice, dairy (eggs, cheese, milk, Greek yogurt), whole grain bread, avocado, dried fruit, dark chocolate, potatoes and pasta. 5-6 meals over the course of the day instead of three. As long as they don't interfere with your condition.