Hi, everyone! I posted a few weeks ago about my upcoming jpouch/takedown surgery. The big day was Tuesday, and everything went well- I came out with my new jpouch and no ileostomy! I have not had any gas or gone to the bathroom yet. I did a lot of walking around the floor today. I have been told to just sip water and hae ice chips until things wake up. Now, at 11 o'clock at night, I am having quite a bit of what I'm pretty sure is gas pain. I have heard that a lot of jpouchers have a hard time passing gas, plus I am still hooked up to the wound vac and catheter, so I was wondering how others managed to "let things loose" right after surgery??? Please help...

Congratulations! Gas is a very good thing and a sure way to know you are on your way to getting the new plumbing working. The next few weeks and months will be challenging but you will be glad you did it. Hang in there! Things will start to adjust slowly. Take a deep breath and have faith that all will be well...it will!

Prayers and blessings to you,
Rich

Oh, I forgot to say to walk, walk, walk! Best thing you can do right now!

I've been up for am hour now in so much pain! I feel like a ton of gas is trapped inside me... I've been walking, trying to sit on the toilet, etc., but it just hurts soooo bad! I've been using my pain pump, and my nurse already gave me zofran earlier because I felt nauseous from the pain. I have never wanted to fart so badly iny life!!

I had my takedown Feb 2011 and I have a hard time passing gas. I have to lie on my belly to pass it. Sometimes even that doesn't work right away. Good Luck. I walk all the time.

Thank you all for the replies! I ended up having a bowel movement before passing gas, the next night after my post. I'm home now and doing okay.

I guess it is true that it is always darkest before the dawn! Just as you think you cannot bear anymore, poop happens!

Glad you survived...

Jan

I second Mountain Man's advice....walk, walk walk. The gas will come in time.

I have a 20 year old pouch and I can pass gas a little while in a standing or sitting position but my "best" gas is when I am lying down in bed. I have to admit it is one of life's greatest pleasures now.

Good Luck and I hope you have a speedy recovery.

KangaRoe

Finding the right position for yourself in order to expel gas takes trial and error. Put something like a thick towel or "pee pad" on your bed and try different positions. Lie on one side and then the other. Bring knees up to your chest while on your side. See if things start to rumble and gas exits. Or, get on all fours with your head lower than your butt. Gas rises. We want it to rise and exit! While sitting on the toilet, try coughing really hard several times. That may help move the gas (and other things) out! If you have a hand held shower head, get in the shower and focus the warm spray right up your "bum". That always helps me expel everything! It is easy to clean up while you are in the shower! I know you'll find the answer for yourself. It just takes time!

As far as I remember, there isn't much you can do but walk. My intestines had to start pushing everything in the same direction and then, relief!

Of course, after that comes the first bowl movement. Be prepared, my first couple was like crapping napalm and razor blades. Ask for a sitz bath now. . .you won't want to wait for it.

And after that, butt itch, and then things get easier. . .don't be scared, but be prepared!

Kangaroe,
Gas has always been one of life's greatest pleasures for me and I am sooooooooo grateful that I can do it again!!!!!! I have to lay down to get my gas out too and it's usually at night in bed and I have a great audience, my fiancé. He's such a great sport about it. The bigger, longer, louder, and I'll even say smellier the better! Never thought I would be this happy to fart! (or poop) :-)!!!!!!!!