Ileostomy Reversal next week

markatger
markatger Member Posts: 314
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hi,

I scheduled my reversal surgery today..Wow...its been 9 months since I've used my back door...tee hee. I'm hoping I don't have much problems getting things back to normal.

Any suggestions on what to eat or how to make thing easier.

I plan on focusing mainly on liquid diet and soft foods for a little bit. Avoiding anything that can give me gas. Walking often to help get things going. I have baby wipes and aloe vera. Hmm maybe desitin would be good. Have metamucil and immodium or stool softeners. Oh and of course Depends.

Maria

Comments

  • AuthorUnknown
    AuthorUnknown Member Posts: 1,537 Member
    #2
    Hi Maria,
    I am very happy for you that you are getting back to normal. This will be a relief! Best of luck.
    Best wishes, Eleonora
  • StacyGleaso
    StacyGleaso Member Posts: 1,233 Member
    #3
    Maria, you will do just fine. My doc said to expect changes for up to 36 months (3 yrs), and there was nothing to worry about at all. I didn't stock up on any of those things that you did, and didn't have the need for them, either. But, being prepared is a good thing, just in case!

    Happy recovery to you!

    Stacy
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #4
    Yea Yea Yea Yea!!!!! Doing the Happy Dance for you!!!!
    There were times that I Wished for a back door...
    Sounds like you are getting prepared...but don't expect no gas at all, remember your "plumbing" hasn't had to work for 9 months! I got told Citrucil for a cure for the "trots". REALLY WORKED (too well, at times...hehehehe).
    I also got a pillow (like a semi-donut) for hard seats..my spinchter was sore...I STILL have in my car!
    Hugs for you, Maria!!!!!!
    Kathi
  • rthornton
    rthornton Member Posts: 346 Member
    #5
    Hi Maria.

    You might remember last year I had anal fissure problems. Well, that problem has come back to haunt me (but not NEAR as bad as last year!!!). I find that taking fiber caplets AND Dulcolax with each meal helps the digestive process and elimination is much easier. So, your Metamucil/stool softener idea might be a step in the right direction.

    Good luck with it. I wish you the best.

    Rodney
  • fedester
    fedester Member Posts: 753 Member
    #6
    hi maria,
    well great to hear you are going back to original plumbing. only problem i had was had an accident the first time. i felt i had to pass gas and it wasn't gas, so if you get the urge hit the bathroom the first couple of times. walk alot and drink lots of water. the procedure is not as bad as the original one. less recoup time.
    let us know how it works out.
    all the best
    bruce
  • cal79
    cal79 Member Posts: 57
    #7
    Hi Maria,

    Baby wipes and calmoseptine (a nappy rash cream) were essentials for me. And one other thing that was invaluable was a wheat bean bag (one that you heat up in the microwave). I used this instead of pain meds from the day after surgery.

    Good luck, I found this surgery a piece of cake compared to the j-pouch one. Let us know how you get on!

    Cal :)
  • lfondots63
    lfondots63 Member Posts: 818 Member
    #8
    Hi Maria,

    Congrats on the reversal! My mother in law had one and is doing great today. She just had to get used to certain foods she has to watch because of the runs. Good that you are prepared. Tell us how it goes. Good vibes your way and like Kathi, doing the happy dance here for you too!

    Lisa
  • jenalynet
    jenalynet Member Posts: 361 Member
    #9
    Hi Maria,
    I hope you don't have too many problems, I wish you the best at getting back to normal..I eat more fiber in my diet now and don't have problems..Hugs to you..Audrey
  • goldfinch
    goldfinch Member Posts: 735
    #10
    Hi Maria,
    Congratulations on your upcoming reversal. THe actual surgery is a piece of cake compared to the original. It's only been a little more than a year and a half since my reversal, but I have forgotten a lot about what problems I had. I do know I was going to the bathroom often. Like Rodney, I also developed an anal fissure so that complicated things.
    A great site that i found helpful was www.j-pouch.org. Most of them have had their whole colons removed so the rectum is made from small bowel. This makes things a bit different for them, but they helped me come up with strategies for firming things up and increase time between bowel movements. Good luck!
    When is your reversal?
    Mary
  • Moesimo
    Moesimo Member Posts: 1,072 Member
    #11
    Good luck with the surgery, I am sending good wishes.

    Maureen
  • jsabol
    jsabol Member Posts: 1,145 Member
    #12
    Boy, Maria, great news! Just wanted to offer you all the best; keeping you in my prayers.
    Good luck and keep us posted,
    Judy
  • ccartwri
    ccartwri Member Posts: 82
    #13
    maria
    my ile reversal is soon too! May 13.
    i have the same concerns as you. when is yours?

    I am 35 and was diagnosed may 27 2005. had surgery in september. stage 3.
    claudia
  • markatger
    markatger Member Posts: 314
    #14
    rthornton said:

    Hi Maria.

    You might remember last year I had anal fissure problems. Well, that problem has come back to haunt me (but not NEAR as bad as last year!!!). I find that taking fiber caplets AND Dulcolax with each meal helps the digestive process and elimination is much easier. So, your Metamucil/stool softener idea might be a step in the right direction.

    Good luck with it. I wish you the best.

    Rodney

    Hey Rodney,

    Sorry to hear that your burning ring of fire has come back. I remember we were both suffering last summer with pain. : ) As Johnny Cash says.."it burns burns burns ...that ring of fire"

    LOL...sorry...it's really not funny. It made me cry last summer at times. I'm really hoping I don't have much pain or difficulities.

    I hope your fissure is resolved quick. By the way, I always pimp this site that I go to .... Shaz's ostomy site. There is a discussion board on there for people with J-pouches. I don't think you have a J pouch but I think maybe you could get some good ideas because there are a lot people on there who have a J-pouch because they had their whole colon and rectum removed because of colitis. They have to adjust to not having a colon and very watery output.

    Maria
  • markatger
    markatger Member Posts: 314
    #15
    StacyGleaso said:

    Maria, you will do just fine. My doc said to expect changes for up to 36 months (3 yrs), and there was nothing to worry about at all. I didn't stock up on any of those things that you did, and didn't have the need for them, either. But, being prepared is a good thing, just in case!

    Happy recovery to you!

    Stacy

    Thanks Stacey!

    It always so awesome to keep your story in mind cause it has turned out so well.

    I hope I have as easy as time!

    Maria
  • markatger
    markatger Member Posts: 314
    #16
    KathiM said:

    Yea Yea Yea Yea!!!!! Doing the Happy Dance for you!!!!
    There were times that I Wished for a back door...
    Sounds like you are getting prepared...but don't expect no gas at all, remember your "plumbing" hasn't had to work for 9 months! I got told Citrucil for a cure for the "trots". REALLY WORKED (too well, at times...hehehehe).
    I also got a pillow (like a semi-donut) for hard seats..my spinchter was sore...I STILL have in my car!
    Hugs for you, Maria!!!!!!
    Kathi

    Ah....getting a pillow that is a great idea!!

    Thanks!
  • markatger
    markatger Member Posts: 314
    #17
    fedester said:

    hi maria,
    well great to hear you are going back to original plumbing. only problem i had was had an accident the first time. i felt i had to pass gas and it wasn't gas, so if you get the urge hit the bathroom the first couple of times. walk alot and drink lots of water. the procedure is not as bad as the original one. less recoup time.
    let us know how it works out.
    all the best
    bruce

    LOL ... I have heard about that problem and that it can tell awhile to tell the difference.
  • markatger
    markatger Member Posts: 314
    #18
    cal79 said:

    Hi Maria,

    Baby wipes and calmoseptine (a nappy rash cream) were essentials for me. And one other thing that was invaluable was a wheat bean bag (one that you heat up in the microwave). I used this instead of pain meds from the day after surgery.

    Good luck, I found this surgery a piece of cake compared to the j-pouch one. Let us know how you get on!

    Cal :)

    I havve a barley bag that my mom gave me...wow I'll give it a try

    Thanks!
  • markatger
    markatger Member Posts: 314
    #19
    ccartwri said:

    maria
    my ile reversal is soon too! May 13.
    i have the same concerns as you. when is yours?

    I am 35 and was diagnosed may 27 2005. had surgery in september. stage 3.
    claudia

    HI Claudia!

    Wow...we have very similar timeline. Except I was dx in Feb 2005. I had chemo, then chemo and radiation. Then rectal surgery in Sept. Then more chemo, then liver surgery for what turned out to be a benign adenoma. So I turned out to be stage 3 like yourself. I then did more chemo. And am scheduled for reversal on May 4th.

    Why was your reversal delayed?

    I'll keep you posted how it goes....love to hear how yours goes too. Oh I will be 35 this summer!
  • markatger
    markatger Member Posts: 314
    #20
    lfondots63 said:

    Hi Maria,

    Congrats on the reversal! My mother in law had one and is doing great today. She just had to get used to certain foods she has to watch because of the runs. Good that you are prepared. Tell us how it goes. Good vibes your way and like Kathi, doing the happy dance here for you too!

    Lisa

    Glad to hear your mom is doing great! I'll be watcthing my foods.
  • markatger
    markatger Member Posts: 314
    #21
    Thanks everyone!!

    Your are all so awesome and supportive!

    I'll keep you posted on my smooth sailing recovery

    Best Wishes,
    Maria

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