I took VSL for so many years with my j-pouch that I probably spent enough to have a down payment on a little cabin at this point! Now that I don't have a j-pouch, I am wondering if I still need VSL or if there's another probiotic that would be sufficient. Since my perm ileo surgery about a month ago, I switched to only acidophilus and sacchromyces boulardi. I know there's a school of thought that's against bifidum because it can be so aggressive with its populating. I've also read very mixed reviews of the use of Streptococcus thermophilus in IBD. I don't eat FOS or soy, so that eliminates a chunk of the probiotics on the market. I also need very easy to digest caps because I have an ileo and am prone to obstructions so far. Ack - it can be very confusing!

Any suggestions?

And I've also gotten varied advice about whether to take probiotics with food or without. Does it make a difference?

Thank you for your help!