The J-pouch has nothing to do with most blockages. Neither does your diet, if your small intestine is working properly. Anyone who has abdominal surgery can develop adhesions, and sometimes those adhesions can cause the bowel to twist or kink, and that can partially or completely block the bowel. Some people have permanently narrowed areas of the small intestine, and those folks may require very careful diets.

Most J-pouchers enjoy unrestricted diets and never experience a blockage. That's been my experience. That being said, your plumbing is relatively new and not fully healed.  You may want to treat it gently. Introduce new foods in moderation, and pay attention to the results. If a food doesn't work well for you today, it most likely will work in a month or two. 

I agree with Scott ... adhesions are usually the culprit and yes... I had one and I can tell you the pain is like childbirth and/or kidney stones!!! It is life threatening but trust me... if you have one... YOU'LL KNOW! I was hospitalized for close to a month and it was hell. I had the adhesions broken up manually when they scoped me and I had an NG tube up my nose for like 3 days while heavily medicated but the meds did nothing for the pain. I was fed  intravenously  with a huge bag and I forget the name of it but it was changed daily after my blood was taken first thing every morning  ... it was a rough patch but I was thankful not to lose the pouch!!!!!!!

Good Luck!!!

Janie

like so many things pouch related, just go easy, give yourself plenty of heal time then start trying new stuff.    Be wary of the problem foods like corn on the cob or mushrooms, ensuring you chew them super thoroughly and only eat a small amount at first.  Next time a bit more, then perhaps relax the chewing a bit.  Chances are you will be fine. 

I consider myself a quick healer, but I didn't try anything new at all for the first month, I just stuck to the boring ostomy diet, and to be fair I didn't have any appetite anyway.  Second month I started introducing new foods..

HTH

Thanks guys, you have been so informative and helpful!  I just hate eating so many carbs, and want to return to healthy eating but I will not rush it and take it slow. 

Boost helped me through the rough times

pouchers can get dehydrated rather quickly so stay hydrated. I'm underweight so I try to remember to drink 1-2 Boost drinks a day!!! Lots of Luck! I must say ... it takes awhile for your body to adapt but hang in there and visit this site when you hit any roadblocks!!! Everyone on here is AWESOME!!! I've had my Jpouch for over a year now and quite honestly... I go REAL SLOW when it comes to eating any kind of roughage!!! ButnI would take this Jpouch any day over an ostomy or colostomy! And I no longer have that sudden urge to find a bathroom ... like right away. It is all trial and error. Have a great day

It will take time and I would try new veggies one at a time.

Mushrooms are a problem for me so I limit the amount I eat, chew chew and cut them into small pieces.

Nuts cause me issues too, especially really hard nuts like almonds but I better with softer nuts like cashews.  Nut butters are fine.

Cabbage use to be an issue but a few years I tried it again with no problems.  So if it's a problem now it might not be an issue in the future.

I eat a high veggie diet with no issues.

Wow. You sound like you are doing really well so soon. 

Congratulations.  

Richard. 

Yes, the problems shouldn't be fear of blockages, like it has been said I wouldn't be worried about that. Instead, you'll just have to see what irritates you (certain things may cause more stools,  butt burn, bloating, stomach pain/discomfort). I also wanted to return to eating more veggies and fruits (I actually felt better eating that than the gluten filled carbs) and I found out I could eat several fruits fairly quickly. Grapes, strawberries, bananas, kiwi, blueberries, apples.. Veggies have been harder but I peel cucumbers and zucchini and eat them a lot. Also sweet potatoes, squash, asparagus, green beans, and peas are good cooked veggies. Cucumbers are my favorite, such a fresh crisp taste!

Great to hear you're doing well.  I have also had great results since takedown almost 8 mos. ago.  At this point, I rarely use any ointment, unless I have something spicy at dinner.  I eat mostly what I want with the exception of salads.  I eat small amounts, mostly because of the chewing business.  I do sometimes have leakage during the day but not at night.  Still introducing raw fruits and veggies.

Ctb23 how long and what did it take to get your output to slow and being only two weeks after takedown what should I do or eat to help make my stool bulky is my output Always gonna be watery or paste or does it become actual stool over time I know I'll never be the same just look for advice and suggestions

My stools are mostly like mush, no real form to them.  I believe that is typical.  Not like a normal bm.  Sometimes they are more watery, depending on certain foods, red wine, tomatoes sauces, etc.  

that's easier to control versus water I don't drink and I try to stay away from tomatoe sauce if possible

I'm supposed to be going on vacation to key west Florida next week I hope I'm able to go it's a far travel from my parents house in ny

I had 4 blockages in the 6 months after takedown and then none in the 25 years since. Right after surgery there is swelling and there can be some adhesions, and even though you are feeling good raw veggies and fruits can be a gamble. Eventually everything settles down and now I eat a diet that is like 80% raw fruits and veggies, in fact I just had a salad for lunch with raw kale, pumpkin seeds, scallions, celery, Brussels sprouts. You can eat anything once the Pouch is fully healed but after takedown be careful and use common sense. A couple of my post takedown blockages were from eating raw veggies and one was from just eating too much. Use caution- for at least a few months.