ileostomy

i currently have an ileostomy after a motorbike accident 5yrs ago....i was told to have it reversed mainly depended on 2 things that i had @ least 9 inches of rectal stump & that what was going ib the bag had at least a toothpaste consistency...i was also told that they would then wait approx 18months b4 deciding f it had been a success( ie incontinent) bit of a dilema...carry on feeling like a freak or have an op that might kill u if it doesnt then have 18 messy months 2 be told its not happening & go back 2 having a bag

[swisler]

i'm 22 yrs old and had a total colectomy over the summer.  i do have 10 inches of rectum left, but they never said anything about the consistency of the output.  I had a reversal done yesterday, which was much less painful than the colectomy.  I don't really know what to expect, but my doctor is acting like everything will be better than having the ileostomy, with the exception of frequent and loose stools.  did you decide to go through with the surgery?  and if so, how did it go, how are you now?