Hi folks, I posted back in the winter, made a few great contacts to help me through. No one was more skeptical about j-pouch surgery than me, almost to the point of not doing it. I managed well with my ileostomy, and they can be buggers, infections, fistulas, and illness all the time these past three years, I was fearful of what the j-pouch could bring me. I'm 9 days post-op and pinching myself. After the surgery I waited to poop like the country waited for the millenium, ever fearful of the unknown consequence. It was just as uneventful, I'm happy to report. My body behaved a bit like what happens when the water is turned on in your home. It worked beautifully. I remember someone told me not to go to the bathroom at the first urge, and this I have done, I believe it has helped me keep down bathroom trips and discomfort. Someone also told me she could hold and control bowel movements, I can see how this will be comfortably possible. Right now I'm feeling the sensations, trying to control a little bit, get a handle on limits, no forcing or pushing, everything seems totally manageable. I have creams, antidiarheals, squirt bottles, the whole nine yards, but not having to use them yet. I move my bowels 4-6 times, it almost feels normal. Certain foods definitely
make a difference, gets pretty easy to tell. I'm sleeping all night, get up, and pee and still don't have to poo, for a little bit, just like the old days. After having a bag for almost 3 years, I'm just so thankful, and I thought I had adjusted so well to that. I'm glad I took the leap of faith, this j-pouch has given me my life back. Each of us are different and after having 2 1/2 years of bad bowel luck, to the point that I never thought I could be, and feel as good again, I just want to say don't give up! I am smiling all the time, I do have a phantom bag thing going on, I'm wearing clothes cool again, as soon as my stoma site is healed, I'm taking a bath, I'm swimming in friend's pools this summer and the ocean.
I can feel my body is thanking me too, we made it to the other side. Vicky

I'm so glad you wrote this!!! I have my takedown in a week and a half, and I'm nervous! It's wonderful to hear about good outcomes.

Kat T. It is good, you will be fine. I think it is important to just listen to your body, and don't go each and everytime you get a prompt. I believe I was getting slowly dehydrated with the bag, since I've been connected, I feel healthy immediately! I've had 7 surgeries since January 06, and everything that could go wrong did. I imagined what kind of life I would have to live when this past surgery was done, and the fear of pooping my brains out seemed daunting. Nothing hurts, it's all manageable. And yes I agree, you do need this story cause sometimes on this site, you have more of the negatives, simply cause you move on when your doing good. I want everyone to get to the other side of it, cause it is a tough one to bare, and I would never have imagined such a good outcome, I want others to know. Still pinching myself, thanking God over and over, smiling, making plans, I'll see you there! Vicky

I'm really please to hear that you're doing so well. What a huge relief for you. I hope it continues to improve.

Suzanne

Glad to see your doing well. I too am so excited about all things I am going to do this summer without the "nearest toilet" plan dictating my fun.
Thanks for the post
David
PS watch out for ButtBurn..it can be nasty at times

Vicky,

Thank you for the update on how well you are doing. You are right that we see a lot of the horror stories and things that can go wrong with all these procedures. It is GREAT to get good news. This site has taught me a lot so that I can better prepare myself and be able to answer my wife's questions. She has been of the mentality that she doesn't want to read/look at this stuff. She had Ulcerative Collitis for 16 years and we are finally on the downhill side of it all. Stories like yours allow me to be a better "cheerleader" for my wife and that is truely appreciated.

John

Wow what a great story for a change.Now if all our jpouches could behave like yours.Continued health and happiness.

CONGRATS VICKI!!!
So glad to hear the good news! Keep it up!
Julie

I am so relieved to read this!!! I had my 1st stage done 3-31-08 after being really sick since last March. I was 3 weeks postpartum when I got diagnosed with UC. I am scheduled to have my step 2 surgery Aug 6th and have been thinking of maybe not doing it. For the first time in a year I am not in pain and running to the toilet 20X's/day. I don't like having this stoma-but I don't have to worry about where's the nearest toilet either. I don't want to be there again.
What awesome encouragement. You are right, it is a leap of faith, one worth taking. It is just really, really nice to hear your story!
Sarah

Hey Everyone, I am glad I did stop and write cause it is a good healthy viable option. Previously, I did not believe it. I felt it was cosmetic and if it operated like an ileostomy bag only inside of me, that was not for me. An ileostomy seemed like a wiser choice since I was left with just a small intestine. Today I went downtown and saw my surgeon without pooping before I left, cause I was in a hurry, bought a hotdog from a street vendor, got my car from valet, drove home, had little promptings but nothing uncomfortable, got home, brought in the mail and still didn't have to rush. That's living! My surgeon did tell me that because I had rectal stump it gives me the ability to hold it well, but that he has patients with them removed and they take longer to adjust and have more problems for awhile, he alluded to everyone seems to get the hang of it. I suffered with daily nausea, usually dinnertime with the ileostomy, it is gone. I notice my body has a convulsive quality during bowel movements, not painful, just the body takes over, I think cause the intestine is shorter! My daughter made this mud recipe with cookie crumbs and coolwhip and cream cheese, chocolate --- now that was trouble in River City! My nurse printed out a list of foods for thickening stools with 8 items, strained bananas, buttermilk, applesauce, tapioca, boiled refined rice, creamy peanut butter, boiled milk, and yogurt. I drink buttermilk a cup or less a day, I started to drink it when I had nausea. This was the best recovery from all my surgeries, don't be afraid, and from all the other stuff most people probably faced, this one is a cakewalk. I got some great advice from CeCe, Holly, Julie, and Hattie on this site, has made the difference for me that they took the time, that's why I came back to post. Best to all that reads this. Vicky