I am not sure where to start. let me go from the beginning as this is my first post. j pouch step 1 was 9 nov. after my staples were removed, i developed an abdominal abcess in my incision right next to where my bag adhered. this small abcess turned into a VERY large abcess within a small amount of time. i had to have emergency surgery to clean out the infection which had spread all through my abdomen and pelvis. needless to say, it has been a long, frustrating recovery. my wound has been reopened 5 times because skin keeps closing before the wound has healed. i have been wearing a wound vac since 26 dec and finally had that removed last week. my wound is still 1.2 cm deep. still having to pack it and my surgeon says i can have TD once the wound closes. anyway, my stoma is flush and since a lot of time has passed since my 1st surgery, the stiches in the efferent limb have dissolved. i have bm that is passing through and i am having a very hard time releasing it. i don't know if it is because i don't yet know how to pass it. i am sitting on the toilet and straining, but little is coming out, if any at all. i feel constipated. i have tried water irrigation. any other suggestions?? please help