J pouch and Whipple Surgery

This was a big surgery, and the recovery is challenging. The three things that I can think of that might help are also challenging. He really must walk, even though it’s miserable. He needs to drink plenty of water, even if he doesn’t feel thirsty. And I’d suggest reducing any opiates to the minimum that he can tolerate, since they slow down the gut. I hope he feels better very soon!

I agree - walking is so helpful. Even though one feels really sick, it helps wake up the bowels and helps.

Some people swear by chewing gum to get the gut stimulated after surgery. There is some science to it, but study data has been conflicting.

The good news is that eventually everyone’s gut wakes up. The bad news is that there is a very wide range of that time table.

Jan

Thanks you all for the advice, its been helpful! I've been really stressed seeing him like this. He has been walking a bit more, he isn't able to drink fluids due to having an NG tube. He passed some fluid but not quite a full BM yet. So thats a step in the right direction.

I am 70 too and, like your father, had J pouch surgery many decades ago.  I have had several surgeries for kidney stones and after each surgery I suffered an ileus.  The doctors told me to increase my hydration but trying to increase hydration without a colon is very hard to do.  I chose to have IV saline infusions rather than drinking water that went right through me.  Infusions can be combined with blood work to balance electolytes, add minerals, etc. to the saline.  As for the gas, I laid on my side for a few minutes and then rolled over and laid on my other side for a few minutes.  It seems silly but rolling from side to side allowed me to pass gas.  I hope you dad gets better.