Yes, lots of people have. It often depends on the surgeon & hospital timing, but is ideally scheduled for the best time for the patient's body.

I ended up not having my takedown until after 3 months, but that was due to being bumped multiple times (emergencies!). My original date was set for 2 months after the previous procedure.

Gin

I had an abscess develop too after my first step. It was in my pelvic area. The drain I had in was there for about six weeks. As soon as the drain came out and I was all healed we went forward with takedown. That was just shy of four months between surgeries thanks to the abscess. I'm sure your surgeon knows best and wouldn't do your takedown unless you were totally healed. Having said that, it's your body and if you don't feel comfortable push it off for another month. Good luck!

There is no magic number, but typically there is at least 4 weeks. Some surgeons have settled on 12 weeks because, on average, it works best for them, their patients, and their scheduling calendar.

I had 0 weeks, as I had a 1-step, with no ileostomy...

Jan

Thank you all for your responses. I'm also looking for some resources on diet/nutrition after the takedown. Any suggestions?

Kerry

I had mine done at 7 weeks. I ended up in the hospital 4 different times for dehydration and so the forth time she checked to make sure there was no leak and we went forward. She told me she had never done any that early so it would depend on the results of the pouch. Well she did a great job in both of my surgeries. She is so awesome. So 7 weeks for me. I am almost 2 years out.

I also went home with a PICC line and glad I did. The reason I was in the hospital is because of dehydration. It was really bad for me when I had the bag. But now I am doing pretty good. I only drink "smart" water. No pop or anything else. Or I drink the water that has the same ingredients in it. Target has there brand and it is cheaper Taste the same!!!!

Back when I had mine done, my surgeon used to ask me about the mucus discharge the J pouch was putting out, while it rested. At first, the mucus was more, then it slacked off. He used that "slacking off" as his indication for takedown... mine was almost 4 months to the day between first and second surgeries.

Diet after? I was 19, and probably not as careful as I should have been (and pretty much ate whatever I wanted for the longest time), but I'd say hit your thickening foods at first... I was told things like potatoes and pretzels, etc. to help thicken the output, and just slowly introduce foods, to stay away from things that don't really break down (nuts, seeds, raw veggies (though I could and can tolerate many raw veggies with my pouch)... there's no magic diet, but things like that at the start might help ease your transition.

I had my takedown 3 weeks after my first surgery but like everyone else depends on you as well as your doctor I feel as though I should have waited longer bc I ended up having two blockages from scar tissue and swelling after the second I was put on a TPN until it went down about a week and a half the first blockage was a bad situation I didn't get to see my doc but an associate of his and she didn't seem to care as much good luck to you!