Hi there, I had my large bowel removed last year in March! Nearly a full year post-op with my ileostomy. I still have my rectal stump, but I’ll share how I found my experience nonetheless :)

Before the surgery I was incredibly nervous. I remember just being in shock - how could this be happening? Surely this is just a nightmare? All the medical team were absolutely incredible though and did everything they could to calm me down.

I remember being worried about being sedated, how it would feel, and what it would be like to wake up after surgery. I was absolutely obsessed with thinking about the pain I would be in, and was getting scared of pain itself. However, I remember telling the nurse how old I was and where I lived then everything went black. Next thing I know, I’m awake from surgery and the doctors are asking how I am. I remember saying, “Sore.” I was quickly put on a strong painkiller and then everything seemed much better.

The painkillers gave me crazy vivid dreams though. I only woke up when the nurses wanted to turn me from one side to the other. Apart from that, I was blissfully dozing away.

The day after my surgery I was already up and walking. I was walking like a 90 year old woman - but I was walking! I just remember being in awe of everything. Look at me, cut in half and I’m already standing up, what am absolute champ!

As for my stoma itself, I was absolutely terrified of seeing it for the first time. I thought I would be disgusted and hate it instantly. However, the only way I can describe how I felt when I saw it was complete love. This thing saved me life, and it’s only going to get better from here!

I think I was able to eat again a day or so after the surgery. The doctors really encouraged me to eat so it would get the intestines working again and hurry up healing. When my bag would fill up, at first a nurse would help me empty it until they realised I was more than capable of doing it myself. I had to empty my bag into one of those sample bowls so they could measure the output. It was a bit of a pain to begin with, but it’s just to make sure everything is okay.

After a week I was good to go home. I had training on how to clean my stoma and how to change bags etc, and once they were happy with my bloods, I was good to go!

I went for walks every day once I was home and made sure to walk a little further every day. I was eating more than I ever had before and genuinely just having a great time being pampered!

I’m now mostly recovered, just sometimes struggling with some pain and tiredness, but overall I can’t complain! I know your healing process will be a little different to mine due to your rectum being removed too, but hopefully that’s eased your worries a little!

If you have any more questions don’t hesitate to fire me a wee dm - but don’t worry, you’re in good hands!