Hey everyone just a couple of questions for those that have been through the dilation process. I had a Drs appt which I scheduled for today my original appt was supposed to be on the 27th. The reason for my going in earlier is because of some issues I was noticing which seemed out of the "normal" to me. First I had 2 days of absolutely terrible gas pressure. The pain was terrible and extremely uncomfortable. This happened about a week ago and the pain still lingers a little bit today. I guess you would describe it more as a sore feeling now located around the rectal area on the right side. Then I noticed a loss of appetite and a feeling of naseua for those couple days. I took it easy with solid foods and was taking Beano and Pepto Bismal. The gas pressure seemed to subside somewhat. Then I noticed a decrease in bowel movements from my normal 6-7 times a day to 2-3 times a day which is what we all hope for as an end result to this surgery but thought it was too much of a drastic change overnight. I also noticed a couple nights of leakage which is out of the normal for me because I haven't had that since the beginning of my takedown. So my Dr. obviously had to check things out down there and we all know what that means, lay on your side with your knees to your chest and let the plumber have a look see. He checked my pouch and my prostate because he stated that could be causing issues also which confused me a little but forgot to ask about the prostate before I left how it was related. He said that my pouch is more narrow and then left his finger in there for a minute or so to dilate it as much as he could. While Mr. Plumber was hanging out in the deep dark tunnel of what is now called my digestive system he gave me 1 of 2 options to choose from. I could either allow him to use his handy tools to dilate my pouch to the proper size while laying there eyes wide open barely able to breathe or I could choose the much easier and appealing way and get it done under anesthetic. I chose to go with the second option. Not only because I dread even the thought of pain after my surgeries but also because I could not relax my sphincter muscle and kept tightening it over and over to the point where he had to slowly take his finger out a cm at a time because I could not relax it. I fugured if he had a hard time doing what he had to do with his finger then I couldn't imagine a metal rod double in thickness going in and out of there. It seemed like the better option for me and why not I've already been to hell and back with my surgery I'm aloud to take the easy way out now without feeling any less of a man.
So anyway my questions are for you if you had to get this procedure done under anesthetic how did you feel afterwards? Did any of you who had this procedure develop pouchitis afterwards due to not being to empty fully for a little while? What should I do up until the time of the procedure which is 20 days away to prevent any further damage? I already know the answer to this but just going to ask anyway to make myself feel better, do you think the dinner I had the prior night could be the cause of the issues. I had Stuffed Zucchini which had a variety of vegetables in it. I thought to myself it was not a good idea yet to experiment with all those vegetables but also didn't want to make my wife feel bad after making something new. I also reassured myself that it was cooked good enough that the vegetables were mushy so it wouldn't be an issue. Thanks in advance for the help.
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). My doc has been dilating me in office every two weeks and this last time it was three weeks(small progress!). When the stricture starts retightening, the area becomes achy. A bath with Epsom salts help the ache a lot. Hope you are feeling better soon!