After years battling UC, I just had the last of my reversal procedure this past February. After a long stay in the hospital, I am back at home and healing well. I am eating, gaining weight, and (finally!) wearing normal clothes. The thing is, I am still having to make pretty frequent trips to the bathroom. I am taking immodium (one when I wake up, two before lunch, two with dinner, one before bed) and metamucil (powder form) twice daily. I am happy with my surgery, but I'm wondering if any of you were still having such high frequency four weeks after surgery. This has been both a blessing and a stressful time for my family and me. Any advice you guys have will be really helpful; I know it will get better but after my UC, I'm getting nervous that these bathroom trips won't change.

In need of encouragement.

This forum is wonderful.

--Nashi

Be patient it can take three months to a year for you to adjust. The pouch is continuing to expand and get larger which will reduce frequency.

Yes, it does take up to a year for you to "adjust" to the new system...keep in mind that this wasn't the way your body was intended to function! And playing around a bit with foods can really help or hinder your efforts. For many people, sugary foods increase frequency and BB. Rice and bananas tend to help thicken the stool and lessen frequency (both of which worked for me!). Keep a food journal for a few weeks and track how your body reacts to different foods so you can adjust your diet accordingly. Hang in there, it will get better!

Keep your head up! It gets better after a while. Everything above is great advise. Something that has also helped me is a probiotic named Florastor. I'm no doctor, so you should talk to yours before you give it a try. I was going on average 20-25 times a day right after surgery. The Florastor brought it down to around six. It's very helpful to me. Danactive also works well for me. Listen to your body and create a food journal. It will do wonders for you.
Wishing you the best!
Heather

Thanks everyone for the encouragement. I'll try keeping a food journal, but it seems just knowing that I'm not the only one out there going (or who has gone) though this is becoming the biggest help I could have asked for. I'll check into the Probiotics and let you know what my Dr. says. Thanks again. What a wonderful community this is!

Hi Nash,
You don`t say exactly how many BM`s you are having a day.

It will definitely get better. I am 5 years post take down. First year or so was a little rough, learning what my body can handle and what not. We are all different. Listen to your body and doc. Use Lomotil and any barrier cream I use Desitin) as needed!
Blondie68

I am 11 years post op. I still go up to 10 times a day. The pouch gives you control. I did not take imodium or any other products like that after my surgery. I wanted my body to adjust on its own and it has worked out well. good luck. Be patient it gets better. I just came home from the surgeon with my 17 year old sons. He is second generation UC and will be having surgery this year.

You're still pretty early into things - don't get worried.

I am 5 months post TD and I go 8 to 15 times a day....depends if I eat right or not.
Tomato sauce is the worst, followed by fried foods, sugar,leafy vegetables and spices.
McDonalds and Taco Bell are also off limits.
If I eat right - life is great! I just get tempted on "bad butt burn items" every now and then and end up paying for it.
Hope this helps
David

I'm 3 months post takedown. Bowel movements have steadily come down, maybe 8-10 a day. I'm eating cooked veggies, chicken, rice, salmon. Other than avoiding meat and raw veggies or fruit and staying away from junkfood and coffee I'm fine. Once Immoduim a day, ILEX for my bottom and a small washbottle for cleaning life is know starting to co back to normal, I can even drink, just limmit the beer.

Hang in there it will just work it self out over time, watch your diet and go slow.

Donagh