I never had a blockage with my ostomy but I also stuck to a low residue only diet. I have gradually added more solid foods over time and now four months after j-pouch take-down, I can eat almost everything but nuts with skins, mushrooms and really fatty foods. I have had small blockages solved by cherry juice and a heating pad. I had a terrible time at the end with allergic reactions to almost all of the ostomy bag adhesives. The j-pouch is tough for the first couple of months but now I like it. I think it is important to be very aware that it is not a panacea and the life-style improvements are measured in months not days. I hope the j-pouch will continue to work well for me but if I end up going back to an ostomy that will be ok too. At least I will have tried the j-pouch.

Thanks for the input. It's a huge decision. It's so hard to watch him go through blockages and pain. He's starting to run out of things that are "safe" to eat, and sometimes the "safe" food is still not safe.