I never needed meds during the loop, nor after takedown.

However, I don't think it's like your fate is ABSOLUTELY sealed after takedown to need meds, though many do. The pouch adds an extra length of bowel which can con't to allow fluid to be absorbed. Over time, the pouch learns to absorb more.

I don't think you'll know for sure til takedown, unfortunately. But again, many utilize Metamucil, Immodium, Lomotil, etc. to thicken and slow things down, but many can taper down over months to years.

Learning to adjust your diet in the beginning can help, too.

I took six Imodium tablets every day when I had my loop ileostomy and my output was still mostly liquid. The difference is night and day with my j-pouch -- I only use the bathroom 5-6 times per day and if anything my consistency tends to be a little too solid sometimes.

No one can guarantee your situation one way or another after takedown, but your surgeon is wrong to say that needing bowel slowers before takedown is indicative of a need for them later. The fact is that right now a significant portion of your ileum is defunctioned, and it's entirely possible that after takedown when it's brought back "online," your output will thicken naturally on its own.

Rachel - yeah...I have heard a lot of it's "patient dependent" answers and it seems like this may be another one. Where is that crystal ball when you need one? I am curious as to why no one seems to be doing any studies to try and track these things, since if there are any correlations, then that could help predict future success. so hard to make a decision about a surgery when you don't know what the outcome will be.

Liz - good to know it does not appear to be a direct correlation. At least it wasn't for you. I definitely don't want to go backwards in quality of life and my surgeon saying what he did had me worried. Amazing to think that 1 to 1 1/2 feet of intestine can make that much difference!

You will have more bowel to absorb things after takedown. Plus the jpouch will absorb fluids too so I don't see how getting rid of the loop ileostomy can be a backwards step. Unless you get other complications like pouchitis etc but good chance all will be fine. You can always go back to a loop...