Preparing For Your Reversal Surgery
Preparing for ostomy reversal surgery is an important step toward restoring normal digestive function after living with an ostomy.
An ostomy reversal—sometimes called ostomy takedown surgery—is a procedure that reconnects the bowel so that waste once again passes through the rectum (or jpouch in the abscence of a rectum) instead of exiting through a stoma. While the idea of returning to more typical bowel function can be exciting, thoughtful preparation can help patients approach the surgery with realistic expectations and confidence.
Is Reversal an Option?
The first step in preparing for ostomy reversal is understanding whether you are a good candidate for the procedure. Your surgeon will evaluate several factors, including how well the original surgery healed, the condition of the remaining bowel, and your overall health. Imaging tests, colonoscopies, or contrast studies may be performed to ensure the intestines have healed properly and that the reconnection can be done safely. These evaluations help your surgical team determine the timing and likelihood of success for the reversal before a go/no go decision is made.
What Will Recovery Look Like?
Another key part of preparation is learning what recovery will look like. Ostomy surgery is major abdominal surgery and requires healing time. Many patients experience temporary changes in bowel habits as the body adjusts. This may include frequent bowel movements, urgency, loose stools, or occasional discomfort while the digestive system relearns how to function normally. Discussing these possibilities ahead of time can help reduce surprises and allow you to plan accordingly.
Physical preparation often includes following pre-operative instructions from your healthcare team. This may involve adjusting your diet, completing a bowel preparation, or stopping certain medications before surgery. Some surgeons recommend gradually strengthening the body through light activity or walking in the weeks leading up to surgery, as maintaining general fitness can support recovery afterward. It is also helpful to plan practical details such as arranging transportation home from the hospital and ensuring you have a comfortable recovery space ready.
Preparing your body for the transition can also involve gentle dietary adjustments. In the weeks before surgery, your healthcare provider may recommend maintaining a balanced diet that supports digestive health. After reversal surgery, many patients temporarily follow a low-fiber or easily digestible diet while the bowel adjusts. Learning about these dietary guidelines ahead of time can make the transition smoother.
Emotional preparation is equally important. Living with an ostomy often involves significant adaptation, and reversal surgery represents yet another change – even though it’s typically a positive one, it is a significant change. Some people feel excitement, while others feel nervous about how their body will respond. Connecting with other patients who have undergone reversal surgery or seeking guidance from an ostomy nurse can provide reassurance and practical insight.
Ultimately, preparing for ostomy reversal surgery means combining medical guidance, physical readiness, and emotional support.
With proper preparation and realistic expectations, many patients successfully navigate this transition and move forward into the next stage of their recovery journey with renewed confidence and hope.
RECOMMENDATION: If you don’t have an issue with watching surgery videos, search for your procedure on YouTube to get a feel for what will be involved in the process. This visual will allow you to better understand your surgeon’s input and education before the procedure.
For Fun – Decorating Your Final Ostomy Bag
Have you considered placing a drawing or message on your last ostomy bag for your surgical team to find on the day of surgery? This can be a therapeutic rite-of-passage for you as you say goodbye to the bag, and a smile for your surgeon as they begin your procedure.
Some examples:
- Remove detour and return to normal pathway
- Goodbye, Sir Poops a Lot/Bilbo BAGgins/Stinky (or whatever you named your stoma… if you did… that’s a whole thing on it’s own…).
- See ya, wouldn’t wanna be ya!
- Exit now closed, continue southbound
- Exit closed, proceed gently to original destination
- Thank you for saving my life, now beat it…
- Thanks for the memories.
- RIP (stoma name)
- Please Reset to Factory Default
- I cannot WAIT to fart
What would you like to say to your bag or to your surgeon that you’d like to draw or write on that last one? Have fun with it!
What should I pack for the hospital?
This is one of the biggest questions patients ask! We’ve assembled a packing list that you can print that’s based on feedback from thousands of patients on the Reversals – Ileostomy/Colostomy Reversal Discussion and Support Facebook page. (If you haven’t joined that page yet, do so asap, it’s a wealth of knowledge!).
Note that our Shopping page contains affiliate links. The products will not cost you more, and will provide support for the maintenance of this website. We thank you for using the links! If you prefer not to, that’s ok, too, feel free to use our printable packing list to identify and purchase supplies that you’ll need.
Important Advice
Learn all that you can about the procedure, your surgeon’s opinion of your prognosis and healing process, and what you can expect in the healing process, before your surgery. Don’t go into the process ‘blind’, but fully educated about what you can anticipate. This will prevent surprises.