Just a quick question on how long people waited after their take down surgery before they began to take Imodium or Metamucil?
I'm 5 days post take down and was hoping to slow things up some.

Jim

Hi Jim, 5 days is really very early. I wouldnt take metamucil yet, it may block you up or immodium and let your system adjust first . You will be ecpected to go to the the toilet quite a lot with wattery output in the first 2 weeks. I am now 7 weeks post takedown and only just started taking immodium on a need to basis. Starting with one a day to see how it affects me. I would say wait it out so you know where you are at. Allow for the recovery time.. It wont be long before it settles and you recognise the bodily signals when to go and when not to.

I was taking Metamucil and Imodium with my first meal in the hospital. However, I did not have an ostomy, but had a 1-step, so that may make a difference.

Jan

Hi Jim,
I had TD last month. Started taking immodium 3 days after surgery. It helped slow things down and then the butt burn was reduced. I take 2 first thing in the morning and 2 more around 6 pm. some people take more. Since the immodium has worked so well, I have no need to take fiber bulking stuff. I started a probiotic called Cultrelle HS(make sure it is the HS variety) a week after surgery.
Hope this helps
David
PS-the only things I have problems with is tomato sauce, milk and spices,butt burn is nasty from these...had a subway sandwhich today with all kinds of fresh vegetables, no problem at all, just have to chew well!

Everyone else always talks about Immodium and watery output. But I'm 1 week post takedown and I've had the opposite situation: fully formed pellets coming out, almost like I'm constipated. In fact, that's exactly what it feels like and it hurts.
2 factors might be: I'm prone to strictures, but I got dilated during the takedown. And I've been taking Vicodin for the butt pain but I've stopped because it might be the cause of constipation and it isn't really helping the pain.
Anybody else get this way after takedown?

Hi Jim:

I started taking Metamucil in the hospital after take down, but was told to wait at least two weeks before taking the immodium. When i did start taking it I took maybe one a day for a while then upped the dose. I am seven months post TD and generally take three immodium a day and metamucil with meals and sometimes before bed. So far, so good! *knock wood*

Mike

Jeffrey - I am just about three weeks post TD and I had the pain in the rear end... I still have some discomfort now, but it is getting alot better. Give it some time...

CBWewa,
Thanks, I appreciate that. Actually, I've noticed that during the nights now, when my body runs out of food from the last meal of the day, it's starting to turn to watery, battery acid. I don't know if this is a normal progression, but I sure am getting in a lot of late-night TV viewing.
Jeffrey H.