Ileostomy Reversal

I had my ileostomy reversed 12 weeks ago. When I think about how little bowel control I had in the first couple of weeks after surgery (therre was none), then I feel like I have made progress. However I still go 5 to 6 times a day, with a long time on the toilet each time. It seems like I spend a couple hours per day in the bathroom. Has anyone found that going to see a good GI doctor was worthwhile? Both my surgeon and my primary care doctor seem to think I just have to wait it out. But with rectal bleeding, I have a feeling I have Proctitis from my original radiation therapy. From the posts I read, it makes it sound like I am on my own with perhaps a box of imodium.

Hi ,

My husband had the same troubles  after his Ileostomy reversal his Bathroom issues went on for about 6 months it was very very hard to get him to go out to do anything normal .He was so frightened of having an accident .But we did however find that when he removed SUGAR from his diet it was about a week and his bowels started to slow down enough to be almost like my husband again He started to get his confidence back .Its all in what you eat ..Watch your sugar intake and also dairy products ...He mostly eats chicken fish and some meats ( trying to get the red meats as little as possible) Salads use to play havic on his system too.. Also his Dr. gave him LAMOTIL this is a drug that slows down the process and helps to control the what is known as Clustering ( where he would go to the bathroom and be in there for a half an hour only to get up off the toilet and run back in ) So he takes the Lamotil everyday and I have to say He got his Rhythum back and has Full control ..So give this advise a try I have seen it for myself and we have told other people for whom we have met in the Dr. office the same tricks and they called us to thank us for the great advise ..PLEASE FEEL FREE TO EMAIL ME I  would be happy to tell you more things that he did to get control back in your life ...

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Thank you so much for your prompt response! I had not thought about sugar in my diet. I am in the process of getting the sugar out of my diet, and after just a couple of days, I feel like I can tell the difference! I also increased the amount of rice and bananas in my diet, and am taking a close look at the amount of fiber I am getting each day. I believe you are right in that diet plays the biggest role, so I have started a food journal, listing everything I eat and drink throughout the day.