Hi Nate. I am hoping you get some answers here for your questions. My surgery was in two stages only (first for colectomy and second to create the j pouch). In my case I likely would not have been ready to start an education program 6 to 8 weeks after but then again, I'm a middle aged woman. Also, I have to say I don't know what's involved in the third surgery and maybe recovery is easier. There must be many who have experienced 3 stage who can provide better comments. I wish you successful surgery and quick healing!

Nate I am a bit unclear about some of what you are asking but maybe its because I am too lazy to reread a third time, so forgive me if I miss something.

 

I too had a 2 step procedure but have recently closely watched a number of patients undergo 3 step procedures. First I would say that the end ileo can be kept I suppose as long as you and your surgeon feel comfortable. I have seen patients because of complications keep them upwards of a year I think. but otherwise I think its rather typical to wait 3 months or so between each op, with a check to see if you are ready for each successive step. I will also warn you that without question it seems for some reason that the 2nd step the loop ileo is a bear. I cannot explain why but for some reason it just seems to be often a more active stoma, sometimes also a flatter stoma, creating seal issues, etc. As to recovery it all depends and your surgeon would be best to answer that question as there are some real restrictions in activity level that you would want to respect to ensure you don't herniate. so I suspect the question is how active would attending school be? hope that helps answer some of your questions. and good luck!

oh and most people take up to a year to adjust to the jpouch, I think it all depends on what your expectations are and how well your body chooses to respond. typically over time your stool output will decrease over time as you figure out the foods that help bind and slow your stools, and your jpouch expands and your body learns to adapt to it. but much of this will also be variable with what you eat. this site in the middle under information tab I think, has a good dietary guidelines tab.

Hi Nate,

So you look crazy young and I will tell you my experience with J pouch surgery. I had my J pouch surgery done in 3 steps after weeks....maybe more like 1.5 to 2 months of living on TPN in the hospital when I was 18. I had step 1 done in August, step 2 done in October, and step 3 at beginning of January. I was in the hospital for a week after step 3 and felt terrible...think it just took some time for my bowels to wake up. At the end of that week, I was eating my usual foods and able to take 2 classes at the local community college starting the 3rd week of January. I am now 41, recently had surgery, and learning that recovery is much different when you are 40 vs 20...hahaha. I don't know that you should go in with the attitude that you will definitely be ready since it always a good idea not to put too much pressure on oneself!! BUT chances are you may be good to go so you should not rule it out. Hope I am not contradicting myself there!! Best of luck to you!!

I've have a "temp illeo" for years now. I've lost count to be honest. I had a lot of issues so once I started to get better I didn't want to go back. But I need to get on with it at some point.

If things work as they usually do, folks can usually go back to fairly normal activities in about six weeks after surgery. There's still plenty to adjust to, but typically those adjustments can be made while living a full life. I felt well enough to go back to work (desk job) after four weeks, but I took the full six, since I didn't like the job I had then.

 

Some folks get complications or have a much more difficult adjustment period. There are more of them posting here than there are folks who were able to quickly go back to a normal life. Surgery never comes with guarantees, so you have to play the odds.