Hi y'all..I am having my ileostomy reversed tomorrow!!!!.... Yesterday when I changed my applicance the skin on under side (not close to stoma) was raw raw raw and leaking clear stuff. I showered and left it all off for a couple of hours (fun..lol) and then put on nystain powder, barrier spray and a new wafer. I don't want to change it all again as I only have one appliance left (I know I am cutting it close here..lol). The same spot seems to be seeping some stuff again (not alot, but it seems crusted (gross) under the bandage like adhesive (frame of tape)...Do you think I will be ok to just leave things until tomorrow when it will all come off for good?? I am SO excited and nervous to have this reversal and I don't want anything to stop it..do you think that badly irritated skin will make them postpone the surgery??? Please tell me NO!!..Thanks!!...Cheryl

Cheryl -

i had my reversal 12 days ago now and also had some skin irritation. It shouldn't delay anything as most of the work will be done on the inside and in my case the iliostomy was just sutured a bit from the inside and now left to heal from the inside out. I have a gauze that gets changed 2X a day but that is it. The body has a natural propensity to want to close any wholes in your anatomy from the inside out so irritation on the skin level shouldn't be a problem. Good luck and stay positive.

Hi Sassyswimmer! You had your reversal 12 days ago?? How is it going for you?? Is everything working ok now?? I am really excited to have this done and can't wait to be back to my original plumbing...lol. Do you have any tips you can pass on to me?? Much appreciated!!...Cheryl

Happygal, I hope your reversal goes well tomorrow and that you have an easy adjustment to your j-pouch. BTW, both of my takedown surgeries were done when my skin was inflamed from yeast infections.

hi Cheryl -

Well i am still in the hospital as i had a post op ileus which my doc says occurs for extended periods of time in about 25% of cases. Fortunately, however, yesterday my bowel woke up and by today i am soft foods and may go home tomorrow or Tuesday! woohoo!

Things that surprised me despite all my research:
1. Gas Pains. Pouch dilation. NG tube.
Like i said i had an ileus longer than most people but expect for your intestines to be asleep for 1-3 days. As a result, there is no place for the gas to go and your belly may be get really large and hard. They actually had to "intibate my pouch" which is basically a glamorous way to say they had to put a catheter up my bottom into the pouch and drain the stool and gas that way as they didn't want too much pressure on the newly formed pouch. Walk as much as possible as this helps keep things moving. I chewed gum as well but not sure if it helped. If you need an NG tube for vomiting don't fight it. It is terrible going in but it makes you feel so much better.

2. Things will get raw quickly.
I was fine one BM and by the next i felt like i was raw. It was nice to have a plethora of creams and ointments on hand and i am going to ask about an Rx one tomorrow. I also had soft charmin TP and baby wipes on hand. I have found both helpful.

3. Envision a pinwheel when going to bathroom
this helps relax the abdominal muscles without straining. Also sometimes i have found that lifting my legs help me empty the pouch.

4. Normal Hospital supplies
I had my laptop and watched a lot of netflix tv shows and movies. it helped pass the time enormously. Also, if your room has internet you will be able to feel connected and post questions etc as you go through it which really helped me. Robe, pillow, blanket, slippers, very loose pants, tall socks for the leg pumps.

5. Stay positive and calm.
Things will get better. Things will wake up. You will go home. This has been my mantra. After spending so much time in hospitals with this stupid disease i tend to get a bit homesick so i always have to focus on this being temporary.

Good Luck!!!

Thank you so much for the encouraging words Anjuli and Sassyswimmer. It is now the day of my surgery and here I sit at 7:30 am all showered and ready to go...I don't have to be at the hospital until 9:30..I'm not anxious am I?? lol. I won't be having a j pouch as I still have my large intestine. Just a very small portion had to be removed so it's just a reconnection. I have my bag packed with wipes, tissues and cream for the butt burn...I hope I'm not in there very long...I actuallly had a good sleep last night except for the horrible itching of the rash under the wafer. Thanks for putting my mind at ease about it Sassy! I was really scared they would have to cancel the whole surgery!! Well guess I will go and browse the net for awhile...I won't be online anymore until I get back home but I will post and let you know how it all went. Thanks so much for being here and for letting me go on and on...I hope that you are home today Sassy!! That's GREAT news!!!!...have a super great day everyone!!!....Cheryl