Patient education: Colostomy or ileostomy reversal – Discharge instructions (The Basics)

What are discharge instructions? — Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of yourself after getting medical care for a health problem.

What is a colostomy or ileostomy reversal? — Ostomy reversal is a surgery in which the doctor sews the ends of your intestine back together. This "reverses" the surgery that was done to make your ostomy. Then, you can go back to having bowel movements like you did before your ostomy.

It is common to have more bowel movements, need to have a bowel movement urgently, and pass more gas after an ostomy reversal.

How long it takes for you to recover, and what you need to do, depends on how your surgery was done. If you had minimally invasive surgery, you might be able to return to your normal activities sooner. With open surgery, it usually takes longer to recover.

How do I care for myself at home? — Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure that you understand exactly what you need to do to care for yourself. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.

You should also:

●Follow a special diet after your surgery, if your doctor told you to. They might suggest eating a low-fiber diet at first and slowly increasing how much fiber you eat.

●Avoid taking medicines for constipation or diarrhea unless you talk to your doctor first.

●Drink plenty of water and other fluids. This helps prevent constipation.

●Do exercises to strengthen your pelvic floor, if your doctor told you to. These can help with bowel control.

●Keep your anus and skin around it clean. You can:

•Wipe gently after a bowel movement, using an unscented wipe or soft, wet cloth.

•Take a bath after you have a bowel movement – Use mild, unscented soap, and rinse well. Pat the area dry with a soft towel.

•Put some petroleum jelly, zinc oxide, or other "barrier" cream or ointment on the skin around your anus. This helps prevent irritation.

●Take all of your medicines as instructed.

●Take care of your incision – You might have stitches, skin staples, surgical glue, or a special skin tape on your incision. If you had minimally invasive surgery, you will have more than 1 incision.

•Keep your incision dry and covered with a bandage for the first 1 to 2 days after surgery. Your doctor or nurse will tell you exactly how long to keep your incision dry.

•Once you no longer need to keep your incision dry, gently wash it with soap and water whenever you take a shower. Do not put your incision underwater, such as in a bath, pool, or lake. This can slow healing and raise your chance of getting an infection.

•After you wash your incision, pat it dry. Your doctor or nurse will tell you if you need to put an antibiotic ointment on the incision. They will also tell you if you need to cover your incision with a bandage or gauze.

•Always wash your hands before and after you touch your incision or bandage.

●Increase your activity slowly – Start with short walks around your home, and walk a little more each day.

•Keep coughing and doing deep breathing exercises for 7 to 10 days after you go home. This will help prevent lung infections. When you cough, sneeze, or do deep breathing exercises, press a pillow across your incision to support the wound and ease pain.

•Avoid heavy lifting, sports, and swimming for at least a week or 2. (Your doctor or nurse will tell you exactly how long to avoid these or other activities.)

What follow-up care do I need? — The doctor will want to see you again after surgery to check your progress. Go to these appointments.

If you have stitches or staples, you will need to have them taken out. Your doctor will usually want to do this in 1 to 2 weeks. Some stitches absorb on their own and do not need to be removed. If the doctor used skin glue or tape, it will fall off on its own. Do not pick at it or try to remove it yourself.

When should I call the doctor? — Call for advice if:

●You have a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or chills.

●You have redness or swelling around your incisions.

●You have nausea or vomiting for more than 2 days after going home.

●You have very bad belly pain, or your belly feels swollen or bloated.

●You are constipated or have more than 10 liquid bowel movements in a day.

●Your bowel movements are bloody, black, or tar colored.

More on this topic

Patient education: Colostomy or ileostomy reversal (The Basics)
Patient education: Colostomy or ileostomy surgery (The Basics)
Patient education: Living with a colostomy (The Basics)
Patient education: Living with an ileostomy (The Basics)
Patient education: How to care for an ostomy (The Basics)
Patient education: Low-fiber diet (The Basics)
Patient education: Gas and bloating (The Basics)

Patient education: Gas and bloating (Beyond the Basics)