Is it possible to get a tummy tuck if you have a k pouch? I am slowly losing weight but am worried that I will have a baggy pooch for a stomache once I reach my ideal weight. I am wondering if there is anything that can be done after I have my k pouch or if I am doomed to have a saggy belly forever. just wondering.........

Rosie

Hi Rosie,
Well I am 3 weeks post op; what I wanted was for the surgeon to remove the 2 old stoma scars (looked like I had been stabbed in the stomach twice! they let them close naturally so they are really ugly scars), remove the 'fat pack' a kind of huge cyst that developed over the pouch that weighed over 2lbs, pull the skin tight (or at least tighter because the fat pack pulled it down over my stoma) and generally clean the whole thing up...
What he did do was: remove the fat pack, pull the skin 2cms (just under 1 inch...not hardly enough) and forgot to remove the 2 stoma scars (plans to do that at another time) plus he cleaned up the main line scar but gave me a new 8inch one that runs from the mainline scar to my right hip, just over my stoma (yikesss!)
So for now my tummy seems flatter, less lumpy but still 'quilted' by the scars.
When asking your doc about the surgery, make sure that he gives you the exact details of what he plans to do or not do and get it in writing.
As long as he only touches the skin and doesn't touch the stoma you should be just fine.
Sharon

Thanks, Sharon. Sorry to hear that your doc didn't do exactly what he said, but it does sound like you got a little improvement. I know the last thing you probably want to do is have another surgery! I have resigned myself to the fact that I am just a pin cushion/surgical dummy for them to poke prod and operate on at will! I guess our "normal" will always be a little different from every one else's normal. That kind of sucks, but I guess it is just our reality.

I am so excited for my K pouch surgery, all though, I keep having nightmares that they do the surgery but forget to give me a full proctectomy and I wake up still bleeding from my intact anus. Scary! I just want this horrible thing gone. Although I am wondering what my bottom will look like with no anus. Is it just a scar tissue straight line? I am also a little scared about the discomfort/ pain I will have after the surgery.

How long did it take your bottom to heal? My husband has been waiting so long to have a normal sex life with me....but the incontinence makes that nearly impossible and I know he will want to resume as soon as safely possible.Plus I really can't wait to resume exercising and being active with him and our children.

Thanks again for listening and answering my endless questions! I really appreciate it.

Rosie,
Well, I don't remember that much about way back then...I was supposed to have a 1 step but they decided not to, on step 2 when they sewed me up down there they put in a hemovac to help it heal but I was in the hospital for at least 2weeks for severe complications...it hurt a bit but these days they are so much nicer about the pain meds than back then (1979!)
Please give it at least 4weeks post op to resume couples activities...at least for the basics...for more complicated postitons wait 2 months
With the k pouch, the slower you go in the begining the better the result later...so do not rush it after all of this time...you will have to keep your diet light and without any fiber in the begining..can't clog the tube or over fill the pouch at first..
As for the scar down there? I can't see it and he hasn't complained about it yet ..from what I can tell, it is cleaner, healthier and so much better than before...but you may not want to be wearing a thong for a little while!!! and tight jeans may be out until you heal.
Other than that, listen to you doc and stomatherapist, do what they say and you should have a happy, healthy pouch for life.
sharon

I think you would have to squat over a mirror to see what things look like without an anus
It does take a while to heal, I sat on pillows for a long time, took one to work (had a desk job at the time), church, etc. I think it takes longer to heal than just about everything else but its not like you're in a lot of pain, just uncomfortable.
I still get phantom passing gas feelings on occasion.
One night I dreamed I was pooping and went to the ER crying "its NOT POSSIBLE!!!" HAHAHA

Getting your sex life back is one of the best parts of being healthy again! I guess your surgery is coming up soon - very exciting!
Sharon's so right, don't rush.
This surgery is a big deal, take your time and introduce foods slowly.
CC has great stoma nurses - you will be in good hands!