Post-ileostomy life: Two Months After Ileostomy Reversal

Ileostomy reversal after 2 months, you ask? I've been living with Crohn's Disease for several years, had an emergency ileostomy surgery in August 2014. At first, my doctors were reluctant to do an ileostomy reversal based on a review of how serious my Crohn's Disease flare-ups had been. One day out of the blue, though, I received a call from the surgeon and he advised that, what the heck, let's reverse it. So I had the ileostomy reversal in January 2015. It was a challenging road to recovery, mostly breathing issues and getting to walk again, but it wasn't so bad.
If you'd like to learn more about me and my story, check me out at richardkistnen.com
#ileostomy #remicade #ileostomyreversal #post-ileostomy #crohnsdisease #crohnsandcolitis #ileostomybag #ileostomyreversalstories

[@pamelamayeaux7458]

We are in a time where we may not be able to depend on pharmacies, insurance and the government to supply our appliances forever. This I believe is why God wants me to do reversal, aside the fact that he wants me whole. Amen

[@mariahali8121]

I’m getting my reversal in 2 days ! So nervous. Thanks for posting this.

[@RichardKistnen]

Good luck and best wishes to you!!!

[@thejaswinis9968]

So how it went????

[@mariahali8121]

@@RichardKistnen thank you I did it. I got it taken down and I have some road bumps but it feels amazing to be able to sleep on my stomach!

[@rivrat59]

Yo Rich, thanks for that. Great job. I'm going in January for the reversal. Getting info now. thank you and Merry Christmas.

[@thejaswinis9968]

Can u reply me after revarsal that how it's going Will u??plz

[@rivrat59]

@@thejaswinis9968 I will, thank you

[@thejaswinis9968]

@@rivrat59 I am glad to hear that,hope everything goes well for you.

[@RichardKistnen]

@ken URO how have things been since reversal?

[@rosemariecollard8620]

I had my reversal two weeks ago. I have found that taking Metamucil has helped tremendously to help prevent diarrhea and to help form the stool.

[@RichardKistnen]

Hi @rosemarie collard I hope you’re feeling well! Yep, +1 for Metamucil. Over the last 7+ years since my reversal, Metamucil has been a prominent tool in my arsenal to stay feeling well, especially if I’ve eaten something that disagrees with my insides or I’ve been drinking alcohol

[@semiramismunoz8948]

Do you remember how long it took to feel kind of normal? It's been two months for me. I'm starving but takes more than 20 trips to the bathroom. Plus it's painful. Hope you doing well.

[@RichardKistnen]

I honestly don't remember. One thing that has become a staple for me and I highly recommend is Metamucil. To this day, I probably go to the bathroom a little more frequently than I'd like (but we have to keep in mind that some of our large intestine, which absorbs liquid, is missing). For me, metamucil really helps me to feel completely empty. And exercise - it will help with healing!

[@ShadeOfficial1]

Hi! I'm 18 and recently just got all reattached after battling with UC for 3 years. Is everything going well for you? No burning, ect?

[@semiramismunoz8948]

Yes, the burning is terrible, going to the bathroom 20 or 25 times at day. Tomorrow is two weeks from the reversal surgery. I will see the doctor tomorrow, I don't think they can do too much for the burning sensation, except more pills.

[@semiramismunoz8948]

Do You had to do some rectal or cervical excirses to try to normalized your bowls? Do they give you a cream for the dry skin around you stoma? When did you got your stoma scar wet after surgery?

[@RichardKistnen]

I don’t remember doing any exercises. It was more about diet, figuring out what foods digest easy and which foods caused a lot of gas and stoma burping. Find what works for you and stick with it. About cream around the stoma, I don’t remember using anything. My skin is pretty tough to begin with. When I did have irritation, I would wipe with witch hazel and maybe put some A&D ointment. Finally, getting the stoma wet (and learning how to properly put a bag) took me a few weeks. I was afraid it would hurt, but it didn’t. Once I realized I can touch it without pain, changing bags and showering became much easier, I wish I didn’t wait as long. Hopefully this helps and good luck!

[@semiramismunoz8948]

@@RichardKistnen thank you very much

[@uttamdubey3208]

Hello! I got illestomy closure surgery 4 months back,but I'm facing lot of gas in m bowels,gases r trapped in m stomach,Did u experienced the same ?

[@RichardKistnen]

Hi there. I hope you are doing well otherwise! I don't remember how much gas I had been experiencing at that time after the surgery. I do think immediately after the surgery for a couple of weeks, I felt a lot of gas. It's a good opportunity, however, to look at what you're eating and make changes to diet. If you are experiencing a lot of gas, try to figure out food(s) are causing it, and stop eating it for a while. I realized that certain kinds of alcohol, and almonds really got me gassy and inflamed. I've since stopped consuming them, and have felt great ever since.

[@tammywardeberhart3891]

CAN'T HEAR YOU!!!!

[@joszrider35]

Did you have an unnecessary discharge from your reversal? I had my done 3 weeks ago and when I sleep I have unnecessary discharge coming out of me and it's very annoying and embarrassing, I'm using a pad but even then. Any suggestions on how to stop this also I have a burning sharp pain when I wipe also using baby wipes to ease the pain.

[@ericland512]

Hey Jose , I had my reversal in 2011 . Richard has great advise here . Get yourself a Bidet . Ask your doctor if you can try "cholestyramine" it has helped me big time with the burning . A&D ointment is a life saver too. That Cholestyramine is a orange flavored powder that you mix in water twice a day . Hope this helps you . Good Luck !

[@ericland512]

give the cholestyramine a try . it saved me as well as the a&d.

[@ericland512]

keep on keep'n on !

[@joszrider35]

Thank you very much idk about a biget those are pricy right? I have the cream version but only make a mess in my briefs it has gotten better but it randomly the burning irration come in and out.

[@joszrider35]

Richard Kistnen what is A+D?

[@msbeau5341]

Hi, I had my ileostomy reversal few weeks ago. please do you experience feacal incontinence after the reversal?

[@semiramismunoz8948]

How long have you having that burning sensation? Are you still suffering to have your bowls? Is been two weeks since my reversal. I have to used laxatives. Two days in agony.

[@rutvaamin9812]

Hi I m facing feacal incontinence after illeostomy reversal…. How is now…? Do u remember how long does it take to get normal? Please share

[@msbeau5341]

@@rutvaamin9812 so sorry for what you are going through. No, not anymore. I did take me about 2 years to understand that I needed to make changes and stick to it. I had to change my diet. I no longer drink milk from cow goat, soya, almond or other nuts. Now I stick to rice milk mostly and a few instances used oat milk. Next, no more butter or cheese. I use vegan butter(though I am not a vegan). 100% Vegan yoghurt and ice cream. No nuts of any kind, no gasy drinks, less oily food. I eat more bread and rice, no beans, meat, fish, no eggs. I always have Loperamide everywhere I go. Charcoal tablets are great too. Carry pad just incase. I cook most of what I eat. Little veggies. Only banana seems friendly as fruit the rest are not.

[@semiramismunoz8948]

@@rutvaamin9812 English is my second language, but I try. the first two months are the worst. Try to do everything natural if you can, don't use underwear, let air heal little fuisures. Sit in warm water a few times at day to relax the rectum, use baby wipes, I drink one spoon of fiber with two cups of water. Take something for pain, it helps to relax you body. And sometimes I mix a te spoon of baking soda in one glass of water. Or coca cola helps too. Good luck.