Congratulations on your successful k pouch surgery.  You will come to appreciate the benefits of this procedure over time, but the first few months post-op may present challenges while your body adapts to its new setup.  Be sure to follow your surgeon’s directions about scheduled emptying your new pouch, chew your food well and drink plenty of liquids.  You will be back to normal in a short time.  Contact your surgeon if you have concerns after returning home and let us know how you are doing.  I was back to normal activity in about three months.

 Bill

Thanks for your support and congratulations. I realize the next couple months are going to be a bit slower than usual, which is why I planned the surgery at this time of the year. Now that the pain is under control it's easier to deal with issues.   Actually this is the first time that I'm feeling the  pain from surgery  

 I recall from one of your prior posts that you had eaten something at the airport that got stuck. Can you recall that experience and tell me again? Want to make sure I avoid any complications especially at the airport.

I was pleasantly surprised to have spinach served for my lunch. I will now start learning about transferring time.  I was pleasantly surprised to have spinach served for my lunch. I will now start learning about transferring time. Thanks, Janet

Hi Janet,

Congratulations and welcome to the club (a very select one at that!).

Take your time and do things slowly...Even the soft food needs chewing. Drink lots of fluids, ask for extra coffee or grape juice to keep things running smoothly.

Avoid corn, peas, beans, cabbage, string squash, peppers, anything stringy or that doesn't normally digest. 'Whites' are not my friend either in the begining (white flour, sugar, fat)...they tend to make your output too pasty when eaten in quantity...test everything first.

Pure milk products other than yoghurt and ice cream can be problematic at first because they can cause excessive gas... Something you do not want right about now.

For your back, can you get someone (your friend, not sister!) to bring you a 'grain' pillow or one with those silicon beads in it?

Place it under the small of your back or under your butt when in bed and move it to your right when you turn on your side and block it under your top knee.

It eases the pain. Heat helps too. Some of those grain pillows can go in the microwave too...pure bliss!

Hang in there and be nice to those poor nurses now that you are feeling better...

Sharon

Hi Janet,

What I experienced at the airport was not from something that I ate while on my way home.  It was emptying the leg bag I was hooked up to so I would not have to do a usual intubation with a catheter while in transit.  Leg bags are designed for urine, not stool, so the drain on the bag got clogged with bits of fiber and I had to squeeze the bag to unclog it.  With retrospect, this would probably not have happened if I had been given foods without any fiber before leaving the hospital (farina, oatmeal, eggs, liquids, etc.).  Fortunately, I had sufficient time between flights to empty the bag. My trip home took 12 hours: one plane change in Atlanta and a 5 hour drive home from the airport.  If your trip is significantly shorter, it may not be necessary to use a public restroom in transit.

I had no problems going through TSA at the airport (was in a wheel chair).  Just remember, no lifting anything over a few pounds.  I checked my luggage and my wife handled the carry-on’s.  As you progress with recovery, you will learn what foods tend to thicken your stool and which ones are most likely to clog your catheter (slows up emptying, but is not a “show stopper&rdquo.  Another thought is to ask your nurse for several catheters to take home with you so you don’t have to order some right away.  I also asked for several 60cc syringes (for irrigating your pouch) and the small scissors (used to cut stiches) that I found useful to unclog my catheter; they otherwise were going to throw them away.

Bill

Speedy recovery Janet, so glad your pain issues are under control. 

Hi all

 I'm in a very good recovery mode, helped along by a good friend who came to visit me for three days. So the pain is under more control and yes I'm being much more pleasant patient! It's funny because now that the spine pain is under control I can actually feel the pain from the abdominal site and I understand that that also hurts. But it will get better over time and no heavy lifting. 

 Bill thanks for the traveling tips. I have a friend coming who will check me out of hospital and stay with me in Cleveland for two days. Then we fly back up to Vermont and I will put your good words into practice and be very careful. I'm just hoping she can manage with her luggage at mine 

everybody's support is so greatly appreciate. Thanks, Jan 

 Hi guys!

I have been busy all morning with final prep for today's release from hospital! The stoma nurses said I'm doing an excellent job on maintaining the drainage and understanding how the system works. It was nice to have that reassurance.   Had a minor blockage this morning, which gave me some extra practice with pulling out the tube, cleaning and irrigating it.  Everything else looks very good and they gave me a get out of jail card for free. 

 I had been sort of dreading this stage of the leg bag,  but I think it's very doable for the next three weeks. I certainly have no complaints and I'm glad to be done with the J. 

 Hope others are doing well.  Janet 

Sounds fantastic Janet,

Freedom!

Just take it easy. No salsa dancing (or eating for that matter!) and not snow shoveling marathons...this is your baby for the next 6 months so please be kind to it!

And you need to give it a name (makes it easier to talk about in public with friends...and not the same name as your old stoma or j pouch...he/she deserves a brand new happy name!)

Good luck getting out of there and heading home.

Sharon