Hi all,

I've been reading this forum for a year or so since I had my stoma put in place following complications caused by diverticulosis. It was the only place I could find some practicle, honest information about what to expect should I ever be fortunate enough to have a reversal.

I have never really got to grips with the bag and have hated it since day one.

To cut a long story short, I had my end colostomy reversed exactly three weeks ago and wanted to let those who may be nervous about what they might face an idea about what may lie ahead.

Firstly, the decision to go ahead with the reversal is the best decision I have ever made. Not only has my bag gone but my melon sized hernia has been repaired and I now feel so much more confident and contented with life.

The surgical procedure to reverse was so much easier than the initial operation. The day after my reversal I was encouraged to get out of bed, something I could only have dreamed about after the first time in hospital when I developed an infection and spent 3 weeks there.

This time I was allowed to start what the nurses called a 'sloppy diet' ( soup, ice-cream, jelly etc) after my second day post op and was able to walk up and down the ward for short periods. The following morning I past a bit of wind and was astonished to discover that this was enough for my consultant to decide that I could go home the following day (day 4).

Just to add, that the scar where my stoma had been was no more than a 6cm straight line held together with 6 stiches that were subsequently removed a week later by a nuse ay my GP practise. Although a little sore for a week or so, I have had no pain from it since. The other three scars from the keyhole surgery are no more than 1cm in length and simply required a bain aid over them for a few days.

Two days after going home, despite passing wind, I had still not had any kind of proper bowel movement and was getting a little nervous that something wasn't right. I needn't have worried as the following day (day 7) things started to happen. After passing a little, bloody poop I spent the rest of the day running to the toilet with diarrhea every half an hour or so. I must admit to feeling a little fed up at this point, thinking that this was going to be the new normal.

The following day, however, I passed what was effectively a 'normal poop' and did so on two more occasions that day. Three the follwing day and two the day after. By day 11 post op I was going to the toilet after breakfast and then again last thing at night but had total control and things were back to somewhere near normal.

It is now three weeks since the operation and I am feeling great and having bowel movements somewhat similar to those I had before the stoma. My appetite is returning and I am starting to add a little more fibre to my diet.

I hope my post is not too long and laborious but I just wanted to let everybody know that, for me, the reversal has been a great success (so far!) and I encourage those who are not sure whether to go ahead to give it a go.

By the way, I am 58 and newly retired.

Please don't hesitate to ask any questions that I havn't covered and good luck to you all.