How long to wait before ileostomy taken down?

Diseases & Conditions Ostomies
1
I have had a temporary ileostomy for a little over 4 weeks.  Seems like forever.
My doctor has scheduled me for a barium inema? to see if everything has healed.
 
The doctor said the normal wait time is 3 months bu she has done many at 6 weeks with no problem.
 
My question is; am I taking a risk doing the reversal at 6 weeks?  I would sure like to get it done.
 
Thank you for your help!
 
Ron
2
Your doctor wouldn't do it if you weren't ready, failure is bad for business. I have heard of the 6 wk marker. My surgeon uses 3 months, except that in my case I was so sick that she made me wait 4 months, no barium enema needed. The biggest question that comes to mind is why did you have the temp ileostomy, that would give an idea of healing time.

Hope this helps,
Cathy
3
They removed a couple of inches from my lower bowel, about 5 inches in from the anus. Not cancerous, but high displasia?!
4
Ron-
With a nice clean cut, no infection, uneventful recovery, one should be healed at 6 weeks, no problem. To be sure, they do the barium enema. Rest assured that your doctor wants this surgery to be complication free and completely successful.
Cathy
5

Yes, you can have takedown as soon as you wish.  Remember, they often do these surgeries without a temp ostomy.  My takedown was at 8 weeks, my surgeon usually does them at 6 weeks.  Like you I was more then ready to move on.

Sue

dx proctitis in 1987
dx UC in 1991, was stable until 1998
1998 started prednisone, asacol, pentasa, nortriptylene, ativan, 6MP, rowasa enemas and suppositories, hydrocortisone enemas, tried the SCD diet, being a vegetarian, omega 3s, flax, pranic healing, yoga, acupuncture, probiotics
2000 lost all my B-12 stores and became anemic
2001 opted for j-pouch surgery- now living life med-free
 

6
Thank you all. My Barium enema went well today. just waiting for the doctor to get back to me.
7

Hi Ron! :-) I had a subtotal colestomy with ileal rectoscopy and rectopexy done last Sept'05.  My surgeon told me I could have had my ileostomy reversed in six weeks; BUT, I lost a lot of weight by Oct 31 05 before I could have my reversal, I had to have a PICCLine (TPN) due to malnutrition/dehydration.  Within six weeks, I gained 25 lbs and had my reversal ileostomy four days before Christmas.  I, too, had to have a barium enema to make sure everything was healing properly and that there were no leaks or air pockets.  Believe me if your surgeon though you were not ready for the reversal ileostomy, they would not do it until you are 100%. It seems like forever when you have an ostomy bag, you start thinking negative thoughts that it will never get reversed, but in the end everything does goes well. Just remember to get plenty of rest and relaxation after your reversal ileostomy and drink lots of fluids like Propel flavored water with calcium by the makers of Gatorade or even just regular water and remember to eat!  Good Luck and be well!

Angel

 

 

8

Angel, any more tips on recovery?  Like diet? 

I am having to take Imodium three or four times a day to keep things consistent right now.

But after the take down operation I'm not sure what to eat.  I lost 20 pounds in about 2 weeks.  But I have not lost any more in the past 2-3 weeks.

Will my diet change after the operation?

Thanks!

Ron

 

9
Hello There! Ron
 
As far as your diet is concerned after the take down, your surgeon should give you a list of foods and beverages that you should be able to eat until your next post op visit.  At first on was on a residual diet for three weeks then I was told I could eat anything and everything.  But eating anything and everything was a place of Trial and Error.  Since my reversal in Dec 05, I have learned that I now am lactose free, no butter, oil, sour cream, mustard, cocktail sauce, certain salad dressings, ice cream, milk, chocolate, sodas, certain juices like tomato juice and orange juice just to name a few burns when I have a BM which eventually turns into hemmorroids.  I hope by the time my year of recovery is over which is Dec 06, I will be burning bum free and I will be able to eat whatever I want.  Just keep a journal of everything you eat and drink and mark next to them the side effects.  If something bothers you, try it again in three weeks. 
 
My surgeon told me that it would take a year or so to feel 95 percent better and then I should be able to eat whatever I want with the exception of one or two things.  Plus I should start gaining weight because my BMs will slow down to two times a day instead of 6 to 8 times a day like now. 
 
Keep a positve attitude and you will do fine. 
 
Angel
10
Just wanted to let everyone know how things are going. I had my ileostomy removed 2 weeks ago today. I was in the hospital for 4 days. Yesterday I returned to work half days feeling pretty good.

My only problem is my colon seems very sensitive. Feels like I always need to have a BM. If I can get past that I will be fine. Never did have diarea. I thank God daily I am recovering from this.

Ron