colostomy reversal

Hi :-D I recently had a surgery for a laproscopy (exploritory surgery) that ended up turning out to be a major surgery because the doctor perforated my colon while removing scare tissue around my bowels I too could have died and was told by the doctors I am lucky to be alive which i concluded "THANKS" so much ---that the outcome of the second surgery was I woke up with a tube down my throat a tube out my nose and an incision 6-8 inches long that had to be packed and heal from the inside out with a tube also coming out of that for drainage and a colostomy bag, I was in the hospital for 7-9 days went thru hell with doctors and some nurses I was so upset while in the hospital I felt why me? what the heck happened here and how was I going to deal with this at home my emotions were out of control I wanted to die. This colostomy bag is awful I feel for people that have this for the rest of there lives its a mess. i was told after the surgery I could come back in three months for the reversal but I was told by a surgeon in my home town thats not a good idea because these things are not fully healed till 6 months to a year after and that I could end up with more complications or even worse a perm. colostomy and I thought what the heck why do doctors say these things and put patients at risk. I have had my colostomy bag for 4 months now and am patiently waiting to get the reversal done hopefully the end of November but I am also scared because of what happened from the first surgery but it does help hearing about others and there stories. things here at the home front with my husband have gotten really bad after this situation too but I have learned I need to take care of me so I can get back to who I use to be before all this happened and this experiance has made me realize I am a stronger person believe me when this all happened I thought I was going to lose my mind and didnt think i could do it but I had a really great nurse while in the hospital tell me she didnt know me all that well but she said that "YOU CAN DO THIS" and she was right I have learned to take care of this. So thank you to the nurse that gave me courage and support.

Treatment for Diverticulitis

Treatment for diverticulitis focuses on clearing up the infection and inflammation, resting the colon, and may prevent or minimize complications. If you are suffering from acute diverticulitis, you should consult your doctor prior to taking anything.

An acute attack with severe pain or severe infection may require a hospital stay. Most acute cases of diverticulitis are treated with antibiotics and a liquid diet. The antibiotics are given by injection into a vein. In some cases, however, surgery may be necessary.

When is surgery necessary?

If attacks are severe or frequent, your doctor may advise surgery. The surgeon removes the affected part of the colon and joins the remaining sections. This type of surgery, called colon resection, aims to keep attacks from coming back and to prevent complications. The doctor may also recommend surgery for complications of a fistula or intestinal obstruction.

If antibiotics do not correct an attack, emergency surgery may be required. Other reasons for emergency surgery include a large abscess, perforation, peritonitis, or continued bleeding.

Emergency surgery usually involves two operations. The first surgery will clear the infected abdominal cavity and remove part of the colon. Because of infection and sometimes obstruction, it is not safe to rejoin the colon during the first operation. Instead, the surgeon creates a temporary hole, or stoma, in the abdomen. The end of the colon is connected to the hole, a procedure called a colostomy, to allow normal eating and bowel movements. The stool goes into a bag attached to the opening in the abdomen. In the second operation, the surgeon rejoins the ends of the colon.

My dad (87) had a successful colostomy due to perforated diverticulitus in June. He had extremely bad "sun downing" with hallucinations, etc. that continued for about 8 weeks - or until he was able to return home. He is by himself, I am his only family and live 1 1/2 hrs away. He does have good neighbors, thank God. He has no trouble dealing with maintenance but has turned into a recluse, only going out for doctors appts., but is fine if someone comes to him. Not too depressed, just feels like he has earned the right to be comfortable at home and is thankful to still be there. We are debating reversal but he is terrified of the nightmares returning and has heard that loose bowel is common for some time after the surgery. His original surgery was pretty intense - emergency situation with alot of infection. I think that reversal is much easier and should require much less anthesia(sp). Anyone out there had a similar circumstance and suggestions?

Hey,

I'm 24. I recently had an op to remove a large benign cyst from my abdomen. Everything went well until a few days later when my bowel perforated and I developed faecal peritonitis. I too had the NG tubes, inserted several times whilst awake, which stayed in for a week or so. However whilst in excrutiating pain for 3 days I was on NO intravenous pain relief, but instead was given tablets, which could be seen travelling up the tube into the bile bag as soon as I took them.

My symptoms were ignored by the medical staff, who didn't seem to believe I was in pain. Eventually after several days of steady deterioration my surgeon showed up and I was whipped into surgery. From the onset of symptoms of the peritonitis to the surgery was about 40 hours.

Because of the delay in diagnosing my condition I've been absent from work for 5 months now. I'm starting a phased return to work (I'm an accountant) this week.

However I'm hoping to have my loop colostomy reversed as soon as possible because it seems to be getting bigger and is getting harder and harder to conceal.

I've got this operation to go, and then corrective cosmetic surgery to restore some degree of normality to my abdomen. How long should I expect the recovery period from the reversal operation to be?

Hi I am replying to your question about "how long is the recovery time on a colostomy reversal? well I had my surgery the end of November and went back to my part time job the begining of February so it took me about 8 weeks it all depends on the person and how quickly your body heals. Even though I was terrified to have the surgery I feel better now that things are done, the down side is I dislike that I have these ugly scares that will always be there. I am also upset that the doctor will probably never be accountable for his screw up. live and learn I guess. maybe one day they will make doctors accountable for mistakes made in surgeries. Hope this helped.

Thanks, khbme2u.

Hi Everyone,
It is April 8th 2011. I am scheduled for a colostomy reversal in May. Would like to hear more abour your experiences. Will write about mine when I am certain you guys are still writing and I am not the only one SMILE.
Best to all!
Susan

HI, I am 34yrs old and was diagnosed with Diverticulis last yr, May 2010.. I was scheduled to have the colon resectipn surgery laporascopic but 2weeks before the surgery I had an attack, went into the hospital and while I was admitted my colon preforated and I had to have an emergency colostomy.  I was so afraid and dreaded having it done especially because I did not want a colostomy bag.  I was depressed the 1st 2weeks, but with the support of my family and friends I was able to get out of that depression and realize that I was lucky to be alive and that there are so many other people out there that are going through worse situations and that my situation is temporary.  I took some sick leave off from work hoping that durring that time I would have it reversed but unfortunately my surgeon wanted to wait a full 3months recovery before he did the reversal since he wants to do it laparoscopic.  I am scheduled to have the reversal in 4days on Monday 4/25/11.  I am scared of going under but at the same time so looking forward to getting rid of this colostomy bag.  This being my last week, it has been irritating me and not cooperating, having to change it every 2days and my skin is getting so irritating and raw.  I have appreciated reading so many of your stories.  When you go thru something like this sometimes you feel alone and that noone around you understand you or what your going thru.  I am glad I am able to read what to expect after my reversal, and I see that I have to truly watch what I eat.  I hope everyone is well and recovered and God Bless you all.

Hi My husband also had very bad irritation of the skin with his colostomy bag but there is no need to suffer this way. If your stoma nurse has done her job she would have told you of the many barrier sprays and seals that stop this kind of thing happening. His skin is now very good. Get help from your stoma nurse its what they are there for

I had a colostomy in September of 2008 after a summer of absolute crazy medical issues one after another.  I had the first surgery done, and four days later, because of colostomy dehiscence,  it had to be re-done. I spent 44 days in surgical ICU and it has been a nightmare!  At first, my surgeon told me that it was permanent, however, my other Dr.s are telling me now that since I have recovered so well from everything that happened that year, it's possible to get it taken down. I sure hope I can because living with this bag has been a nightmare! And let's not even begin with the 'intimate moment' issues! Anyways...to compound the problem my lower abdomen is completely herniated so they want to put in a mesh band across my tummy to fix that, and.....since I was on 1,000Mg of prednisone every day...I gained a loooot of weight, and now that's coming off, I have excess skin that's also going to have to come off!!  It's going to be an agonizing time for me for sure!  Then to think about running to the bathroom afterwards....oh boy....but that's only temporary right?

I was one the youngest people on record to suffer from diverticulitis in my early-mid 20's and my intestines ruptured at 42. Usually The flare up would end after about a week of liquid diet.

After over 2 weeks of suffering and loosing strength and massive weight loss  while trying to maintain my security job, I finally went to a hospital and discovered I had ruptured and would require surgery.

The doctor had hopes of using a drain to reduce intestinal swelling and be able to remove the damaged section avoiding the necessity of a colostomy.
When I went to surgery I didn't know if I would have a colostomy or not (I did).

Something went wrong with the first procedure and they had to go back in a second time a few days later.. If I read it right in the medical records at some time during the second surgery I had to be revived..

They had planned to do a reversal a few months later but I ended up fighting massive infection in the incision which put me in and out of the hospital, the installation of a wound vac and a month in a nursing home .

In all I spent 7 months with a colostomy

( Free tip - Don't eat Lee's famous recipe if you have trouble with the bag detaching in the middle of the night. The other nursing home residents won't appreciate "gassing" 1/2 the building)

It's been 4 years since the reversal (Valentines day of all days no kidding) .I have never fully recovered my strength and stamina from my body feeding on itself and the long stays in the hospital and nursing home.

When I tried to go back to the security company I worked for the past 9 years (even though still weak) they claimed that their old office staff said that I had quit. 
( 3 months before I was released by the doctors while on emergency medical leave? Yeah, Right! give me a break).

With 2 disabling injuries from work (12% permanently disabled according to workman's comp) along with my weakened state at the time, my wife tried to help me get on disability. Even though they (SSDI) agreed that I had multiple problems, They said that none of them were severe enough to qualify.

So Now I'm sitting here no insurance, jobless, living barely on my wifes income, eyesight going bad from untreated diabetes, In pain 1/2 the time either from work injuries or from the after effects from the last surgery. Small herniation's along the incision along with problems from the plastic sutures they used. pain from the titanium staples they use to staple your intestines back together.....

Sometimes the doctors go too far without regards to quality of life.

I was involved in a near-fatal motor vehicle accident on March 3, 2011.  The seatbelt mangled my small bowel and as a result I received a temporary colostomy.  I am scheduled for my reversal October 4, 2011 and I cannot wait.  Having this bag attached to my side has been horrible, but like everyone says, "at least I'm alive".

I too had the awful leaks, the painful skin irritations and rawness, the feeling of being dirty all the time, etc. 

I found this site because I wanted to know what to expect after my reversal surgery.  I sometimes feel my surgeon isn't as forthcoming with information as he could be.  I gained some extremely valuable information, got most of my questions answered, and don't feel quite as bad now.  Thank you to everyone!!

The worst part of the reversal for me (done 10/5/11) was gas pain.  It can be pretty bad, but getting up and walking really helped to get it out.  The surgery itself went really well, it took 1 and 1/2 hours, and I was able to go home after I got some of the gas out of me (home today Oct 8th).

I made sure that I went to a colorectal surgeon, not a general surgeon.  That may make all the difference in outcome. My temp colostomy was done by a general surgeon in an emergency situation.  I lived for 2 months with a 4" prolapsed stoma--talk about hard to live with. I couldn't even go to work!  This time around the incision was neat, and I can tell it will heal nicely.

There's going to be some bloating in the abdomen for awhile, and the gas will come and go.  Overall, I'm really comfortable and weaning off the pain meds. You just have to take it easy for several weeks. Overall the reversal was totally worth it. Hope yours went well.

 

Nov 25, 2011.. hello all had my reversal colostomy done on Nov 15th took 5 days to pass gas after which I had some complications but then got back on track. Starting have some solids on Nov 23rd and since starting to pass gas with a very small amount of leftover I call mucus in my bowel movement I have yet to have a real stool BM, just wondering what others timeline was for passing there first real BM after starting to eat solids. I'm not looking for my stool to be solid, I know this will take time but even running stool?  thanks in advance, curious in Toronto

I had an emergency colostomy last summer and colostomy reversal a few months ago. The second surgery was better than the first for wound healing and recivery time.

Hi, I too had a reversal surgery. What I am experiencing now is major gas after every thing I eat and also digestion immediately after I eat. I wonder if the food has a shorter trip to the exit door?????Have you seen the doctor regarding this..I have an appointment with a "Gastro" doctor in April, however my surgeon didn't seem that concerned,how about you?