The takedown surgery is much easier than the other surgeries just because it's a pretty simple procedure in itself. I can tell you that my experience with it was very smooth and relatively pain free. I was in and out of the OR in 30 mintues.

My bladder is notorious for not waking up after any kind of surgery so I did have a catheter for about 24 hours because I just couldn't pee on my own. But even with that I was home from the hospital on the 4th day.

The worst part of it all for me was a 24 hour period after I got home. I had very bad gas pains and nausea with some vomiting. I think I may have had a partial obstruction and just as I was about to call the hospital, I started feeling better and it passed. After that I was fine and got my appetite back and felt much better.

Just go VERY SLOW with food at first. Eat small amounts at a time.

I had the gas bubbles in my shoulders after my first surgery. That was the worst!!! Didn't have that with takedown thank goodness!

Good luck and congrats!

Take your own TP with and calmoseptine and you will be driving those nurses nuts with all of your laps around the floor. I had to have a big abscess cut out at take down too and I was only there 3 nights.

I just had my takedown surgery on Aug 28th. Went in on a Tuesday
and home on Friday. No gas bubbles this time for me either which
was a relief. I did have a catheter for a day following surgery
but was up and out of bed Tuesday afternoon after they moved me
up to my room. I put in three laps around the surgical wing.

My system started to wake up the next day late in the afternoon
after a half dozen more laps around the wing in the morning.
Getting yourself up and moving is the best thing you can do to
help get home quick. I brought Calmoseptine/TP, ect with me but
the hospital had all kinds of stuff they gave to me and I never
used my own. They sent me home with a huge supply of creams and
baby wipes which was nice.

Gleam,

Good luck with your take-down. Like you, I am 7 months out from my first surgery. I have just under 3 weeks to go until my take-down. I recently found this site, and am also gathering as much info as I can to prep for the take-down.

I can't wait to get rid of "the leach" either! I'll be watching this site to see how things go for you. I wish you the best!

Haha, I never thought about it as "the leach" - that's great!

Best wishes for a successful surgery and a super fast recovery!

I was there for 7 days, but I have the same problem with my bladder waking up. Needed the catheter put back in. The hole in your stomach from where the ostomy used to hang out wierded me out. But that's all gone now. Just get ready for a new round of adjustments and hardship until the frequency goes down. I finally feel around a comfortable amount that doesn't upset me everyday. However, in the long run, having the leach gone to be able to do things you couldn't before will feel liberating.

14.5 hours until takedown! I've got all my gear and I'm ready to rock! I'm SUPER DUPER excited!! This time around I'll bring my Crocs for a more comfortable stroll around the wing.

Next time you hear from me I'll be showing off my old bullet wound to random people! Hahaha! Throw up some prayers and thoughts for me.

Much love to you all in this forum and Dennis from UCVLog who's youtube videos built up the courage for me to actually do this.

See you all on the other side of the leech!

Gleam out! =)

Wishing you the very very best. And with your wonderful attitude everything should go as well as possible.

kathy

Can't wait to hear how things are going when you get a chance. Praying for the very best!

Ugh...

LOL. Not quite the same attitude going in as coming out. I'm six days since takedown and off pain pills. If you have this surgery opt out of the FDA study of Bupivacaine and use the PCM like before! Ouch, that stuff sucks! I woke up imemediately in pain.

I'm in the bathroom a lot. My butt already feels like sandpaper has had its way with it. I'm currently using the softest TP, medicated wipes and Calmoseptic ointment.

I may have to invest in a bidet like tomorrow. LOL I'm going to start Imodium tonight. I'm worried about it causing more gas(killer painful).

But like other's have said, this surgery is nothing in comparison to the last.

Thanks for the update! Will continue to hope things will get better day by day, week by week, and month by month. Hang tough!

Yeahbutt - you'll get through this and that going-in attitude will serve you well. For gaseline-soaked fire-ant butt, try Ilex, Bottom Balm, or Nupercainal. And run get that bidet. Until the bidet arrives you can do sitz baths or real baths. A hand-held shower head is also great - even if one has a bidet.

kathy

Congratulations!

My surgeon had me use fiber, metamucil was the one I chose, and Imodium. I took caplets filled with metamucil as I don't like it mixed with liquid. Also since it's better to drink less fluid with it, in our cases, they are easier to swallow. I also used generic equivalents for it and Imodium.

Follow what your surgeon says, I just wanted to add that I think the combination of both worked.

9 days after takedown thoughts.

Love not having a bag! Dislike not feeling like I have completed a BM. Rocking seems to help but it feels like my pouch isn't wide enough.

I have learned the hard way not to drink a lot of Gatorade. My butt feels like molten lava is coming out of it!!! I assume this is what jpouchers refer to as the next day after eating pizza?

Other than that, I am doing okay.

takedown was a rougher surgery for me than the actual total colectomy. It does get better with time, you will learn all the tricks of the trade. Sometimes it is hard to completely empty your pouch and seems to take forever. I highly recommend getting a bidet for the butt burn or just sore tush from all the Bm's. I have the COWAY BA13, it is pricy but worth it and I got a handheld battery operated free travel one I use at work and on the road. Good luck and hope you start feeling BETTER soon.

Thoughts 13 days post takedown.

Gas-X works wonders against spasms/cramps. Taking Immodium helps reduce the liquid BMs which in turn reduces butt burn but it plugs me up. I'm starting to wonder if I need to be dilated? Doing the Macarena dance when I feel plugged up helps in the bathroom. I know, that's pure sex appeal right there! LOL

No Immodium = 20 plus BMs a day, taking Immodium = less than 8.

Use metamucil, benefiber, or something else like this to bulk them up. I like the metamucil caplets the best as I don't the texture of when stirring in water. There are also metamucil biscuts/cookie like that some like. My surgeon had me on both after my take down. You are not supposed to drink all the water called for as we have extra water waiting.