After 32 days I am finally at my house and driving my car. I had a hellish 16 days in the hospitl due to absess and now after a month of a drainage tube in the rear it comes out tomorrow.
Finally appreciating freedom. Don't love the bag but know it's temp.
My doctor says I can have the takedown in six to eight weeks. I notice most members wait longer than that. Why, is it better for healing?God knows I do not want complications on the second procedure? Grateful for all your feedback and knowing I'm not alone with this.
Eric

They will prob do a gastro graffin enema xray before takedown to make sure all is well, no leaks ,etc. I had my takedown 8 weeks post , no complications, fairly simple procedure. I could not wait to get that hole out of my belly! I know alot of folks seem to adjust, but I'm a little on the OCD side, and a hole in my belly was definatly out of order in my little mind! All that to say, as long as you don't have leaks or any other issue pop up, 8 weeks is good to go.
LoriP

Eric,

It really depends upon the surgeon's preference. Some wait 3 months others do it sooner. I think patient health and of course the successful passing of the pouchogram are also taken in consideration. My surgeon's schedule was 6 weeks between surgery.

Sue

I havent had the 2nd and 3rd surgeries yet.. but my surgen said from the begining 6 months between 1 and 2 and 3 months between 2 and 3.

Eric,
I have had my J pouch for 5 years as of Jan 2003. I had my first surgery in Nov. 2003. It was sure He--! I was very ill due to very serious UC. My doc told my husband my colon looked like hamburger meat! I spent 15 days in ICU developing pancreatitis after the surgery. However, I was so GLAD to get rid of the bag! I was so worried that something would go wrong, the first thing I did, when I woke up was feel my lower abdomen side to make sure it was gone! The take down surgery was much smoother, although the pain was more than I thought. Hang in there and listen to your doctor if you trust him/her. After takedown, you will be amazed afer a while what life is like again.
Blondie68

Eric
I'm in the same in-between time as you, just a little behind you - 21 days from surgery 1. I plan to wait until sometime in June or even later for the take-down just because it is more convenient for me (work etc). I think a lot of people wait because they've been sick for so long w/ UC and with their colon gone they finally feel better and they're just not ready to go through another "procedure." I think I will be glad to have a bit of time to just recover from this one, it's a big deal as you well know. Good luck!
Jenny