After the surgery to start using the jpouch, how long is needed for night incontinence to stop and output to be less watery? Do fap patient require permanent medication like loperamide to reduce the watery output?
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Good question, the J-pouchers I have talked to, I often hear: It can take anywhere from months-1 year for incontinence to stop. Healing looks different for everybody.
As for loperamide: I personally have never stopped loperamide with my ostomy. But Most people with a J-pouch will be able to stop loperamide after a few months since the small intestines will adapt and hold on to more water than before. The human body learns how to adapt with anything just about, that is what makes us special.
Good luck!
Most people see improvement in function by the third month post op. It can be incremental by the week. Not having IBD probably gives you a head start on better function, but it is variable enough to make it difficult to predict if you will be able to stop bowel slowers. I think much depends on how tolerant you are of loose stools. You should not expect or want formed stools with a j-pouch.
Jan 