HI Group,
Last week, June 11th I had my second procedure, the take down reversal. Everything seemed fine. i was released on Saturday and ecstatic to be bagless and ready to start new life.
Buy Sunday I had intense pain in the area of incision. On Monday I went to see my surgeon and he said I had partial blockage and swelling.
He advised to enter hospital immediatley which I did. Now its 5 days with no end in sight. I have not been allowed to eat or drink. My doctor is saying perhaps Sunday or Monday I can get out. but this is just unbearable especially mentally since I don't feel sick except for abdominal pain.
Anyone else have complications after surgery?
I really hope it doesn't happen on regular basis, I want to get on with my new life.

Eric,
I don't think it is uncommon to get a blockage earlyon after takedown because things are probably swollen and thus constricted where they were sewn together. It sure is painful though and must be discouraging. Once the blockage passes, and you get back to eating (you WILL eventually!) be sure to chew chew chew and drink drink drink.
Good luck
Jenny

HI Eric, sorry for all the discomfort. Hope you feel better soon. Take care.

After takedown your new indoor plumbing is trying to find a home in your abdominal cavity. My obstruction was caused by my small intestine looping over itself. Nine days of hospitalization on heavy pain meds and an NG tube took care of my problem and I avoided a surgical intervention....even though my surgeon was ready at any time. That was 6 years ago and I haven't had an obstruction since! Yay!!!! Walking is good but in order to do so you do need to have the pain controlled. Don't be afraid to ask for pain meds. Ask your doc if you can walk and if he/she says, "Yes", do so several times a day.....even with an NG tube....walking is very doable!

Thanks guys for your encouraging words. I read so many depressing stories/experiences. My doctor reccomends I don't go on this site too often because mostly it's people with problems that write alot, no disrespect. But I like to hear good news. I don't know I only had two days out of hospital before I came back for the past six days. I finally got liquids today.
But man, 16 days after illeostomy in hospital with infection, home with drain tube, ouch. 3 months of relative comfort with bag, and now I'm crossing my fingers that jpouch will be success.
Eric

Eric,

Your doctor is right that most of the people who visit this site are the ones having the problems. To be quite frank after I registered on this site I did not visit it much because I realized that since I have had a J Pouch for 16 years and my only real problem is pouchitis controlled through medications, I am not nearly in as bad a shape as most of the members of this group. So I felt guilty about posting. I also used to be very active with the CCFA participating in fundraisers, but I stopped that too for the same reason. I have come back lately because I now have an issue with my diagnosis (Pouchitis or Crohn's?) which is yet unresolved, but there is some good information here and also some people who think positively about their conditions. My only piece of advice to you would be to take everything you read on this website with a grain of salt, because you are a different person with a different body and on top of that IBD has many different forms and it effects people differently, so that it's hard to draw global conclusions.

I have lived with a J Pouch for 16 years and during that time I have worked full time as a trial attorney and have enjoyed a very full life which has included many vacations to the Carribean and Mexico, watersports, and I am also very active in a local table tennis club. I had as many complications with my surgeries as anyone and I have had a total of 4 bowel surgeries including 2 J Pouch revisions post takedown, but I would not trade the 16 years with the J Pouch for the 20 years I had with UC. My life has been MUCH better with the J Pouch.

I am sure things will get better for you. With many people here it's the fear of the unknown that draws them to this board. Remember what Franklin Roosevelt once said to America during World War II: "the only thing you have to fear is fear itself." If you overcome that, it's really half the battle.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: DJBHusky,

Eric,
I am glad to hear that you are doing better. I was without food or water for 7 days after complications from the first stage (4 days right after surgery in hospital, home sick for 1 day and ileus for additonal 7 days). I know how you feel. I felt like I was in my own little hell. But it resolved. I have been home since Sat. and feeling better every day. Hang in there. You are one step closer to your goal of a "normal" life.

Hi Eric-I hope you are feeling better. I had my take down a day after yours. I have been feeling pretty good-even posted about it yesterday and then ended up being up hourly last night going to the bathroom. Today I am very nauseated and know I am starting to get dehydrated. I know logically that recovery will have its ups and downs but as I am sure you feel, I am so anxious to feel "normal" again. Wishing you the best and I hope you will have no further complications.

Elizabeth R.

Thanks guys. Unfortunately even though I'm out of hospital, I still have lots of frequency and pain. The last two days I've had to go 12 to 14 times with little control. It sure isn't much better than the colitis. I'm just going to have faith that it will improve.

Eric,

You should be experimenting with Imodium and/or Donnatal to bring that frequency down. Metamucil as well. Make sure to stay in touch with your doctor on these issues. You are only 2 weeks post TD so hang in there.