Can a ileostomy be reversed?

If you have or had an ileostomy, it’s natural to wonder if the surgery can be reversed. After all, who wants to go through life with a poop bag attached to their side? Well, we have some good news and bad news for you.

The Good News

Yes! A ileostomy can be reversed.

Now before you get too excited (or disgusted) let’s dive deeper into what this process entails.

What is an Ileostomy?

Before discussing how the reversal would work, let’s understand first what an ileostomy is.

In simple terms, an ileostomy is when doctors create a surgical opening in your abdomen called a stoma that allows waste (poop) to pass out of your body instead of going through the anus.

Usually done as part of treatment for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) like Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis; cancer; genetic conditions like familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP); birth defects; and obstructions in the small intestine.

How Does Reversal Work?

If patients are considering reversing their ole stom-, it means they will undergo another procedure where surgeons reattach at least one end of their small intestine so that waste goes back out through its usual route.

Firstly though, a doctor will do some tests and check up on them regularly after waking up from anesthesia, which basically means making sure everything inside miraculously grew together overnight as planned .

The patient might stay at hospital for several days while they recover post-reversal – depends on multiple factors such as age , overall health status etc

And voila!, Now goodbye ostomies bags forever… except not quite..

Time matters:

I hate to break it down but now coming onto –

The Bad News…

While a successful ileostomy can generally be reversed, it also heavily depends on the individual case.

Here, time is of utmost importance. Le timing! as they say, especially in medical terms

Surgeons would want you to wait for atleast three months before they consider performing this surgery on the patient. Because during these initial weeks/months after the primary stom-Hoo Buddy , body undergoes adaptive changes resulting in swelling and inflammation in response to new anatomical configuration.

In such cases if reversal has been performed too soon, there might have complications like nausea and vomiting due to lack of functional adaptation by digestive system among other things – but let’s not get there..

Conditions Required for Reversal:

So assuming everything went according to plan (after all it only took 2 paragraphs!), what are some other potential prerequisites?

Good health status:

A pre-reversal check up with your gastroenterologist or Endocrinology expert (in certain rare cases) would be conducted which includes standard blood tests plus breathing & heart function monitoring.

Locally that involves making sure there isn’t any wound infection or dehydration; no sign of complication from previous procedure; etc.

Patient cooperation:

“Patience& listening skills pay off big times”, said a wise man once☝️
I heard some patients end up postponing their reversal surgeries indefinitely because they find themselves so used to having a staged lifestyle where managing an ostomy was just second nature and easy-peasy

Complications Post-Surgery :

Although much rarer by comparison, one mustn’t forget about post operative difficulties.
Because we always save the best part last don’t we?

These my dear readers range from missing poop bag days(Yes! even THAT), rectal discharge, bowel obstruction signs leading upto further surgeries—to gastric trouble signals(which might manifest months down late).

As pointed above significantly varies patient to patient

Alternatives:

If you do not wish to undergo ileostomy reversal, you’ll probably be wondering “what other feasible non-surgical approach is out there?”

The answer is partially YES .

Doctors often prescribe medications or running biphasic waves as alternatives.It obviously depends on the severity of your ostomy, but combining it with a healthy lifestyle has been known to work wonders.

Medications include-
1. anti-inflammatory drugs
2. immune system suppressors
3. steroids

These can help manage inflammation caused by stress and low food intake leading upto complications.

Biphasic Waves-

This alternative might seem totally new and impactful which sends specific electrical impulses deep into tissues inducing cellular change in motility leading upto manuka-ing peristalsis – have Y’all heard about this? Well time for people to update their medical lingo category guys..!

Additionally making few dietary altercations are highly recommended like reduced fiber content & liquid meals etc..

Conclusion

So Can an ileostomy be reversed ?

In summation, Yes. But before taking any decisive action, consult specialists who would guide what’s right for them keeping patients at the top priority!

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