Illestomy reversal

Hi, had a sub-total colectomy last year and due to have a "reversal" at the end of this month, the majority of my large intestine was removed so I'm obviously concerned by output following removal of the stoma especially frequency and consistency of output when I revert to normal bottom function. Can anyone advise what to avoid on diet to avoid the emergency dash to the loo or what to look for and where I can buy special pants/nappies!! to avoid embrassment just incase I don't make it.

I didn't have the same procedure as you, but I had my entire colon and rectum removed due to UC and I am quite functional. I would say this is my "new normal". It's not the same as before, but it's not that far off. in some ways it's better, in some ways worse. You will be more similar to your pre-surgery normal because you didn't lose your entire colon and you have your natural rectum. You should do very well & have much less frequency than the jpouchers here. Good luck!

I never ate any special diet..

Mike 2010 said...
Many thanks for advice - I had all of my large intestine removed apart from the lower sigmond colon and rectum so the reversal is to reconnect the small intestine to the sigmod.

Struggled with consistency of output but will have to deal with the new situation post op. As you say everyone is different,fingers crossed all goes well

I haven't heard of the procedure where they attach your small intestine to the sigmoid, what is that referred to as? Usually if you have your whole colon removed (like mine), I just have a small section of rectal cuff left and a J Pouch is created with your small intestine then stitched to the cuff, no portion of the large intestine exists.

Hi Mike,

I had the ileosigmoid anastomosis as well blksteeda. Same procedure as Mike.

Initially I was told it was ileorectal anastomosis just like you said NCOT.

I worked great without a bag but very short term until I couldn't got again. Further investigation showed it was due to twisted small bowel and adhesions they say started to happen straight out of the gate. :( So emerg surgery for that, then 2 weeks later surgery for loop ileo until they feel the area is truly healed enough to try the reversal.

They'll connect my small intestine to sigmoid again. If my area is still not able to push enough see sig, they'll try jpouch. I'll know June when I get my reversal. My sig shows where I'm at, we'll see if it works.

I bought junior potty training underwear. I found until my twist and problems associated from that, I didn't need them just from the colectomy alone. The feeling I got that showed me I needed to have a bm, didn't lead to incontinence.

I think it's different for everyone isn't it.

Spicy went through me fast. Like chilli. I found I didn't so much have to stick to low residue diet after quite a short time of initially eating that way, but for me hot drinks, spicy food, went through me too fast. If I stayed away from that, until my twist, I actually only went about 6 times a day. My system worked in the way, I'd eat, and anywhere from 1.5 to 3 hours later I'd have a movement. Paste. Thick. 4 - 5 times per day, once at night. If not for the adhesions and twist, it would have been a good deal for me.