My Ileostomy Reversal - 4 Days Later...
Posted: 2019-10-21 06:53:19
For those considering or waiting on reversal surgery, this is a good news story that should negate many of the negative experiences that tend to stand out online.
My experience was undoubtedly helped by the fact that I am in relatively good shape at 65, and had "only" a stricture of my sigmoid colon to deal with...
After putting off the initial surgery for 9 years, I finally had had enough of my cramps and pain -- and being a prisoner to my condition.
So I went for a sigmoidectomy on Aug. 2nd... hoping along with my Doctor that I could avoid a bag entirely.
When I awoke from surgery, unfortunately, I had a bag and was told that I had much more compromised colon than hoped for... and that I couldn't avoid the appliance -- at least temporarily.
While I was told that my reversal could take place as soon as 6 weeks, it actually took 11 for all the tests and scheduling to finalize.
Reversal surgery took place late last Thursday afternoon... and I was on a liquid diet on Friday.
I was given a full diet on Saturday -- eggs and sausage for breakfast, lasagna with meat sauce for lunch.
I had a few small bowl movement Saturday morning -- and was discharged at 3:30 PM on Saturday afternoon... just about 48 hours after the actual surgery.
Pain was very tolerable at the hospital... and the same is true now that I'm home.
I have continued on a mostly normal diet with no real issues except some explosive gas and occasional "uncomfortableness" as my system springs back to life.
After bowl movements on Saturday, I've had nothing but gas today... and have taken the stool softeners that I was sent home with.
My pain has reached a level where I won't need to finish the prescription pain meds -- and where I can substitute over-the-counter meds which I'm happy to do.
I hope I'm not jinxing my recovery by touting how well it's going, but I'm feeling remarkably well and optimistic about what's to come.
Hope this posting is helpful!
My experience was undoubtedly helped by the fact that I am in relatively good shape at 65, and had "only" a stricture of my sigmoid colon to deal with...
After putting off the initial surgery for 9 years, I finally had had enough of my cramps and pain -- and being a prisoner to my condition.
So I went for a sigmoidectomy on Aug. 2nd... hoping along with my Doctor that I could avoid a bag entirely.
When I awoke from surgery, unfortunately, I had a bag and was told that I had much more compromised colon than hoped for... and that I couldn't avoid the appliance -- at least temporarily.
While I was told that my reversal could take place as soon as 6 weeks, it actually took 11 for all the tests and scheduling to finalize.
Reversal surgery took place late last Thursday afternoon... and I was on a liquid diet on Friday.
I was given a full diet on Saturday -- eggs and sausage for breakfast, lasagna with meat sauce for lunch.
I had a few small bowl movement Saturday morning -- and was discharged at 3:30 PM on Saturday afternoon... just about 48 hours after the actual surgery.
Pain was very tolerable at the hospital... and the same is true now that I'm home.
I have continued on a mostly normal diet with no real issues except some explosive gas and occasional "uncomfortableness" as my system springs back to life.
After bowl movements on Saturday, I've had nothing but gas today... and have taken the stool softeners that I was sent home with.
My pain has reached a level where I won't need to finish the prescription pain meds -- and where I can substitute over-the-counter meds which I'm happy to do.
I hope I'm not jinxing my recovery by touting how well it's going, but I'm feeling remarkably well and optimistic about what's to come.
Hope this posting is helpful!