Up coming ileostomy reversal

My name is Nicole and I'm 22 years old who has had an ileostomy since January of 2008 and in December 11, 2008 my ileostomy will be removed (which will be next Thursday for me) :) I had an ileostomy due to a tumor in my asending colon (which half was removed and like 10 feet of small intestine removed) Doctors don't know if I have Chron's or not due to me also having C-DIFF infection. So we will see.

My questions are: Since I still have my desending colon will my stool be as loose for a long period of time?
- What foods will be good to eat until my colon gets used to food again?
- Will I still have to take my loperamide months after my surgery?
- How about anyone who has had a pregnancy? Did anyone need a c-section?

[worried878]

part of your colon was removed but it does not sound like a whole lot..ur bms should return to close to pre-op after u heal....as far as foods go there are usually no restrictions other than try small amounts of each food the first time u eat it before overindulging....the more bowel they removed the looser ur stools will be..good luck and i know u r excited

[Alsonoseit]

I just wanted to let you know what helped me when I had my ileostomy reversed, Metamucil.  I started with a 1/2 tbs. to 1 tbs. of Metamucil approx. every 4 hours, you could adjust the dose and time frame for your system if you try it.
When I was 11 yrs old, I was diagnosed with Chronic Ulcerative Colitis, my doctor tried everything within his means for 4 years to control the symptoms, nothing worked.  I had a total colectomy with a ileal-anal anastomosis at the age of 15.  Over the years I have had to rely on metamucil to bulk up my stool at different times.  I'm now 45.
I agree with worried 878, you should only start with small amounts of different foods to see if your system can tolerate the food item or not, I would like to give you an exact what you will be able to and not be able to eat but again everybody is different.
Will you still have to take Loperamide after the months following your surgery?  You might it will depend on how your colon decides to function since you do have some colon remaining. Then again with some Metamucil you may not.
Last but not my least, I have 3 children, 2 boys and 1 girl, all delivered normally,  I can't see why you would have to have a C-section base on your intestinal condition.
By the way my 1st is now 24, my 2nd is 23 and my 3rd is 19, they are all healthy and the joys of my life.  I even have a grandson now.  If I were you I wouldn't worry about a C-section, unless it runs in your family, your mother or maybe siblings who have had to have C-sections or if you have a very big baby requiring one.  In other words rest assure with a peace of mind everything on that end will be normal.