Iliostomy reversal
Posted , 5 users are following.
Hi everyone. Some of you know me. Had a bowel resection due to diverticulitis in May. Had ileostomy bag for 3 months. Big operation. Had reversal surgery 17 days ago. Bowel took a few days but working quite well. I still feel lousy though and my bladder doesn't feel right. Surgeon thought uti, but antibiotics didn't help. My question is, am I being impatient? I thought I would be feeling so much better by now, because this op was much simpler. But I guess my body has been through a lot , and I am 62, very fit before all this. Any advice much appreciated.
1 like, 11 replies
Guest Rhiannon_5000
Posted
Hi
Here is what the NHS guidelines say. "Although a ... reversal is usually a smaller procedure than the initial ... operation, it still takes several weeks to recover" ... "You may have a sore bottom after the reversal, but this should improve as you get used to passing stools through your anus again.
After every bowel movement, it may help if you:
wash the skin around your anus with warm water
pat it dry with a soft cloth
apply a barrier cream
Avoid using baby wipes, talcum powder or scented toilet tissues as they can cause further irritation.
Other possible problems include needing to go to the toilet more often or more urgently than usual, excessive wind (flatulence), and some bowel incontinence or leakage." ...
"What to eat after a colostomy reversal
Your digestive system may be sensitive after a colostomy reversal. It may help to avoid eating large meals and eating late at night, and to eat little and often.
Certain foods are also more likely to irritate the gut.
It may help to limit or avoid:
citrus fruits – such as grapefruits and oranges
spicy food – such as curries
large fatty meals
vegetables that increase flatulence – such as cabbage and onions
large amounts of alcohol or fizzy drinks"
I hope you were given all this guidance when you had your reversal - glad you've had it though. It's only just over 2 weeks and it does take time to recover, even from a smaller operation. If you think about it, there will still be swelling, resulting in pressure, and everything takes time to knit together. Also there is the psychological effect to take into account - you thought it was the end and everything would then be fixed - so you are disappointed that healing is taking longer than you expected, or hoped for. But things should only get better from now. Best wishes.
Rhiannon_5000 Guest
Posted
Thanks Felinia. You are always great for advice. The bowel has been pretty good. No urgency. A bit of frequency, and no normal pattern as yet, but it's been good. It's the bladder that's causing me problems . Very sore and troublesome. As I said surgeon said it could be a uti, but it isn't, I've since found out. He also said everything is "waking up " down there, which makes sense. I wonder if the bladder is bruised from the op, and irritated by the bowel activity but I thought after 17 days that would be resolved by now. I'm so over it all ( how many times have I said that! ) anyway I hope you are keeping well .
Guest Rhiannon_5000
Posted
Hi
I often get days when I am running non stop to the loo. At first I thought it was a UTI but now I know it is just pressure and inflammation on the bladder and I have to live with it. Bit inconvenient some times.
Not had a good few weeks - diagnosed in quick succession with osteoarthritis in the hand and knees, glaucoma, and just recently diabetes. I'm on the diet from hell for the diabetes - virtually everything apart from some vegetables is on the forbidden list. No bread, pasta, rice, starchy vegetables, sugars (like syrup, fructose), fruit (apart from 1 small piece a day, red meat, gluten products, spices, additives, alcohol, caffeine, full fat dairy, processed food, oils and fats ..... ad nauseum.
Then to cap it all I had a letter this week saying my driving licence was withdrawn following a medical review as I had a condition that could affect my driving ie glaucoma. This despite the same letter saying I had passed the eyesight tests to drive safely. I am now waiting to see if I can get a medical exemption licence which will allow me to drive certain vehicles. My cousin who's an optometrist said if it wasn't my eyesight, what other medical conditions did I have - none that would stop me driving as far as I know. If I am refused I will appeal, as I want to know why, and I don't rule out someone making a mistake and pressing the wrong button, or picking up the wrong person with the same name. Not a good year for either of us!
Rhiannon_5000 Guest
Posted
I'm really sorry to hear that. What rotten luck . You poor thing, and what a diet! How difficult that would be to stick to! I do hope you get your licence back, my husbands aunt has glaucoma , she used drops and still drives, so I'm sure there has been a mistake . Yes none of us have had a good year . I'm really wanting to get back to a normal life, it seems so long. Hoping things improve for you somehow. Fingers crossed.
Guest Rhiannon_5000
Posted
I seem to be coping with the diet most days - yesterday was only the 2nd blip in almost 5 weeks. I went on the glaucoma Forum to ask if others had the same problem and a lady around my age replied. She too had exactly the same experience, but she did get a medical review licence, although she had to wait 6 months. From what she said her sight is more affected than mine, which so far has no loss of vision, and nobody seems to think any of my medical conditions are responsible. So like you it seems I must be patient!!! In the meantime I'm going to have a bowl of homemade squash and red pepper soup - yummy!!
Rhiannon_5000 Guest
Posted
I do I don't blame you! It's your license, you need it. I'm a vegetarian but I would struggle with that diet . I love carbs. My sister is a diabetic, she struggles with the meds. Like everything else, it has side effects. But she's got it under control. Soup sounds delicious.
vickie47128 Guest
Posted
Wow what a bad diagnosis, so sorry to hear this. I have been crappy cince Feb , the Diverticulitis with abscess, the anxiety and panic attacks, all the bad drugs and now SIBO/ IBS D (diarrhea). And now fibromyalgia along with my arthritis. My diet sucks also. No dairy, gluten, starches, bad fats. Always bloated,gassy, heartburn. I am at a loss on what to eat. And not a very good cook. You always have good suggestions so any help would be great. I’m on digestive enzymes, probiotics, IBGUARD vitamins B12 and D3. Still do Apple cider vinegar with warm water and lemon daily. Teas. And Xanax for Anxiety. I only eat steamed fish ,chicken, carrots and spinach. Pineapple, blueberries and bananas. I tried salads but made me sick. Can’t seem to do high fiber. Still worried bout my
weight loss and loss of muscle mass. This is no way to live.
I hope you get your liscence back, that really sucks.
Been an a bad year for us .
Hope your better soon. Prayers and positive vibes sent your way.
🌸🙏🌺🤗
Guest vickie47128
Posted
Hi Vickie
Your diet is so restricted - even more than mine - so I am at a bit of a loss to suggest recipes. Do you have a soup maker? I make lots of soups by just putting everything in a pan with stock, simmering for 30 minutes or so, then blending everything. It doesn't take any cooking skills and you can tailor it to what you can eat. I also cheat and get pre-prepared veggies so I don't even have to prepare them, plus I use a packet of passata, or canned beans.
I also chop up chicken, add it to soup and season, just before serving, to get a bit of protein. I wrap my fish in parcels with veggies I can eat and bake together. Or I bash a skinless chicken breast flat, wrap it round a small banana, wrap 2 unsmoked turkey rashers round, make a parcel, squirt with lemon juice, sprinkle a few dried herbs and bake. That one serves 2 portions. All very simple.
Just had my diabetes talk and asked if the GP had been contacted by the DVLA but she hasn't. So no progress on that front.
It's tricky for you with multiple issues. Hope some of this helps.
vic_07103 Rhiannon_5000
Posted
YES YOU ARE BEING IMPATIENT.
BE GRATEFUL THE REVERSAL IS OVER. BE GRATEFUL THE REVERSAL WAS SUCCESSFUL. It may not have been. You had a very complicated surgery. You are blessed.
Look at the time that had passed, how well you’ve done. Take ten deep breaths. Be patient. You are doing so well. You are just not smiling enough.
Rhiannon_5000 vic_07103
Posted
Hi Vic . Yes I think I am . I have been through a lot, and I think I expected to feel better even although it's only 2 and a half weeks since the op. It's been a long journey though, been ill since last year . I am very lucky thre reversal was successful, and my bowel is working, I was just so disappointed with the bladder problems, but hopefully that will be worked out. Thanks for the reply and the advice. Sometimes you need advice from people who have similar problems.
Rhiannon_5000
Posted
Since last post, have rung the surgeons nurse because of bladder problems and feeling unwell, so she rang him and he wants to see me this week.i just don't feel right .