Ileostomy reversal                  -   my experience

Make sure to drink enough!

It is important to drink enough, whether you have a stoma or not. Because of the lack of water absorption in the large intestine, the risk of losing too much water and getting circulatory problems etc. is great, especially for my barbie butts out there. I personally have no problems drinking around 2 liters a day. After reversing the ileostomy, there is a risk of constipation or diarrhea. Water, exercise and fiber prevent constipation, so make sure to include these three things in your daily routine! Perhaps it may help you to keep a diary to keep on track . It generally doesn't matter what you drink, but right after surgery I would  keep my hands off juices and carbonated drinks. Black, green and chamomile tea can thicken in case of diarrhea and are anti-inflammatory.

 Keep a diary! 

In the early days I kept a diary in which I wrote down what I ate, what my stool  was like and how I felt. This helps to find out which  foods  are good for you and which ones not. I would also weigh myself once a week to notice weight loss in time.

 Keep an eye on your food choices!

The problem with ileostomy in particular is that the stool cannot be held because the sphincter has been inactive for a long time. Therefore, it has to be trained again. In this case a normal stool consistency might be helpful. Diarrhea is difficult to hold, so try to eat constipating food. i highly recommend  bananas, bread, rice, pizza, cheese, oatmeal, potatoes, chocolate, apples etc. As with everything, I preach: Eat what is good for you. It is best to keep a food diary and write down how the chair was and how you felt, so you can find out the foods that are good for you.

 Psyllium! A miracle cure!

I've always used psyllium to regulate my digestion. It´s fiber that stimulates digestion, prevents constipation as it increases intestinal activity and makes the stool more pulpy because it binds water. You can  buy them anywhere. Make sure to drink enough water. I mix a teaspoon in my porridge every day. It is tasteless and has the same effect as Mukofalk or other swelling agents from the pharmacy.

Medicines !

If you cannot get the diarrhea under control despite the aids, you can consult your doctor. I personally take one tablet of loperamid every day and have a normal stool . I've also heard of opiates that some take. In this case  you don't want the pain relieving effect, but the side effect of the strong pain reliever: constipation, which would mean normal stool. However, I would always consult the doctor about such things and most things are at least prescription-only in Germany.

 Daily Skincare is important!

You might know it from babies! Due to the frequent, aggressive stool (up to 9 times a day in the first week), the skin around the buttwhole becomes quite sore. For me, it was the worst postoperative complication. The symptoms got worse, especially at night. In addition, it burns and itches and this is not helpful because you cannot relax properly and so there is no effective emptying on the toilet. That is why it is essential to apply cream regularly. I was prescribed Bepanthen and a cortisone cream and applied it after every toilet visit. 

Hygiene !

Intime hygiene is very important. With the frequency of bowel movements, it is bad in the long run to wipe your butt every time with toilet paper. Wet wipes also burned quite a bit. Therefore, I would recommend washing the genital area with clear warm water after each visit to the toilet. The warmth does you good and removes the aggressive stool. I would not use soaps and especially in the genital area you should generally wash without soap, otherwise the natural skin flora will be destroyed. In general, I would recommend breathable underwear to avoid fungal infections. I personally wore bandages that I placed further back until I was somewhat continent again.

 Ice ice, baby!

 If I couldn't stand it anymore because it itched and burned so much, ice compresses that I sat on helped me. Even if it is difficult, I would avoid scratching and prefer soft patting. The itching is also milder when the temperature is a little colder down there. That's why I wore airy clothes and avoided the sun in summer, so that there is no warm, humid environment. But be careful not to get a bladder infection!

Rest !

In general, you should not lift more than 10 kg 3 weeks after surgery and avoid sunbathing. Due to the frequency of stools and water loss, the body is weakened. 

 Train your pelvic muscles!

The pelvic  muscles are very important to be able to hold in he stool. You can train them through specific exercises, YouTube can be very helpful. Personally, I started doing exercises every day weeks before the operation.

PS. If   motivation is lacking, sex is also a good exercise, as you tense up the pelvic  muscles. I mean everything just for health reasons. So what are you waiting for !