Hi. I have just joined the group and I am hoping that other members may be able to offer me some advice. I have recently had a temporary ileostomy procedure after the removal of my large bowel following a diagnosis for FAP. I am now 7 weeks post-op and although the surgeon did a very good job and is happy to follow on with the closure of the loop and connection of the pouch, he was planning to do it after 12 - 16 weeks. The problem is the stoma opening has turned nearly under the skin with the result that the surrounding skin has been badly damaged and now has a wonderful ulcer attached to the side. The surgeon has been forced to undertake the reversal in about 2 weeks time and, after x-rays next week, will try and go ahead the week after - (If i can get a bed!) - With the wonderful Irish health sysyem, I could be waiting about 6 - 9 months so it's not a bad thing to happen really and will get it reversed a lot quicker than some other people.

 

Sorry for going on so long but if anyone has had a loop closed off  and reversed, then I would really appreciate any advice and what problems I can expect. It's arrived a bit quicker than expected and information is a bit thin on the ground. Also any advice or help on protecting my already damaged skin around the stoma would be greatly appreciated. I have a really nice stoma nurse in the hospital, but her best advice is take the top part of the bag off, bung in the powder and the paste and hope it doesn't get any worse! I have to change the flange once or twice a day and it burns and stings a lot so any advice would be a help.

 

Thanks,

 

Shay