I've been reading a lot trying to regulate the consistency of my output and I need some help. Example, to be a good J-Poucher I might eat mashed potatoes and a banana for lunch; however, by supper I'm guzzling the juice to try and get looser stool. I seem to jump between constipation and diarrhea with only a few interludes in between. I've tried Imodium and it seems to harden the stool, but I go to the bathroom just as often. Would Metamucil be a better regulator? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I personally just listen to my body. When my BM gets too watery I eat mashed potatoes, rice, etc. When it thickens a bit too much I drink a slimfast shake or other liquids. It doesn't take long to thin out for me. My biggest problem is gas. My stomach stays bloated all the time.
Where did you have your surgery? I had mine at Washington REgional in Fayetteville.
Tracy

I had my first at Baptist in Little Rock and my last two at St. Vincent's in Little Rock. Raley was a fantastic surgeon. Do you find yourself having to adjust multiple times a day to get things a good consistency?

No, not so much daily. If I eat potatoes or rice I am usually a good consistency for a few days. How long has it been since your take down surgery? It's been over 6 years for me so I have a routine going with it now.
Tracy

It depends a lot on the individual - some people like looser stool (easier emptying) others like it more formed.
I personally like loose stool as I can empty my pouch much more quickly and do not have a problem 'holding it'. I never eat foods like rice or pasta as I find I get too thick and have to make multiple trips to the bathroom to expel only small amounts of stool.
Have you tried Metamucil? I have not but a lot of people say it helps a lot to keep things at a good consistency and aids in complete emptying.
You could also try to add only one thickening food or a small portion of it (either banana OR potato instead of both).
Have you kept a food diary? This can often help you 'see' which foods are doing what.

I eat a varied diet and therefore also have loose BMs and hard BMs at different times in any given day. I have started to consider the loose ones a good chance to clear out my pouch, as reacting differently to different foods means that I can enjoy a wide variety of food; if one thing blocks me, the next thing will no doubt empty it all. Likewise, if I have loose BMs over a time and want to slow things down, I know to stay off coffee for a few days, eat oatmeal and psyllium/metamucil and wait for things to thicken up.

Can someone also address the difference between soluble and insoluble fiber? I know there's a defference between the two in regards to how it changes function (maybe just for people with a colon), but I've never understood it or bothered to ask.

I tried some soluble fibre supplements in the hope they'd regulate things and help me empty. They did regulate things but only in the sense they made my output constantly too thick to pass. Try it though - it's the only way you'll know whether or not it works for you.