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Reversal or not reversal ?

Giangio1965
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Hi my name is Giovanni , Italian , and I was diagnosed with rectal  cancer in agoust 2019.
After 2 years of chemio and radiotherapy and thanks to all my great  doctor at the hospital at the present  I am full recovered and healthy. I wear since my first op an stoma  bag on left side of my abdomen.
Now after 2 years comes the time also for me to decide if  to reversal it or not. Just yesterday I went for a ulterior  exam , before to decide to go ahead or not , that show up that : a short stump left  approximately 1 cm above sphincters due also the radiotherapy and so , also if technically possible the reversal , my surgeons would not recommend this due the high risk of leak/ complications.
I have read lot of people dealing with this complications like  dihorrea or constipation, running all the day into the toilet , and dealing with limitations of certain food ( I am big foodie ) and limitations about travelling and with the panic to run suddenly in a toilet possibly and maybe hopefully close.

I have  2 weeks left to make the final decision and I am wondering if it is worth it or not?
 I must admit that by now that after two years of wearing my stoma bag I am so well used to it that I don't even notice it anymore, I change it once a day and eat everything I want without any problem.  To be honest, aesthetics are the only things that affect me most now, being a sportsman, even if it does not limit me in any way my activities, swimming, gym, jogging, tennis.  Of course I would like to look in the mirror as before and also in situations of sociality and intimacy to feel more at ease.  Now I wonder if the post-operative complications of the reversal will give me more problems than at this moment that I now manage well by now?  Is it really worth it?
 I would be infinitely grateful to hear the comments and opinions and suggestions of anyone who is about to experience the same dilemma and having to make the same choice or whoever has made it with and without regrets.  I am so undecided and hope your experiences, opinions, suggestions, comments can help me make the right decision.

Thanks in advance to all those who will answer . 

 

Edited on Thu, 10/03/2022 - 10:50 by Moderator Renata, Hospital name removed in line with forum terms and conditions.

  • Offline

    Hi Giovanni,

    I've had a colostomy and a mucous fistula for about 5 years. Initially I had problems with my stoma due to a stricture(narrowing} just behind the stoma and the surgeon offered to reverse it.

    I immediately declined. I'd had rectal problems for years with a full thickness prolapse and severe haemorrhoids, which caused life-threatening blood loss, and never wanted to go back to those problems.

    Mentally, I've never had a problem with the stoma and once the stricture was sorted out, no physical problems either.

    For me, the stoma is a much better option than spending hours a day on the toilet and, were I in your position, I'd stick with the stoma.

    Additionally there's the major operation and possible associated problems.

     

    I hope you can make the decision that's right for you and I wish you the best for your future.

    Best Regards

    Taff

  • Offline in reply to Taff

    Thanks Taff  you for your answer, it will surely help me on my way.

  • Offline in reply to Giangio1965

    Hi Giovanni

    I have a stoma which is permanent and can never be reversed, but I would not want it reversed as I live with it and it’s ok. To be honest, if I were you and my surgeons were not recommending reversal, I wouldn’t go ahead.

    You live with it now and are fine. The reversal may cause you far more problems that you don’t want to have. 

    Good luck with your decision! 

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