Jpouch and the lake

Your concerns are valid but not necessarily going to come to pass.
We adapt...you may be one of the lucky ones who only needs the bathroom every 4-6hrs or at least be able to control it with food/fiber/thickeners and meds that slow things down...I say do not plan for disaster, depression or danger...be ready for it if it comes but you don't have to consider that it is a foregone conclusion.
Try planning for the good stuff like enjoying your boat once again (and carrying an extra plastic bag and supplies with you).
Sharon

one of my best buds had polyps and now a j-pouch and practically lives on his boat on the lake so i would say your good to go and the fish poop while swimming in the lake why not us?

Hi Shanna

I am 3 months out and I would have no hesitation in going out on a boat trip for 3 or 4 hours. This is something I would never have considered before sugery.

Everyone is different, but I know it takes about 4 hours for food to reach my pouch after eating so I can plan around that, or not have a meal if necessary. At the start it took about 30 minutes, but with Loperimide and modifying my diet to eliminate foods that come through quickly, it has just got better and better. I am confident it will get even better than this. I have also never needed to get up to go in the night, but I make sure I don't eat much after 4 and eat more at lunchtime.

Just wanted to say that I really do feel for you and everyone else who has this sugery for non-UC reasons. It must be a much larger adjustment to come to terms with and change in lifestyle.

I had UC for 33 years so was totally used to rushing to the loo and having accidents....... someting I have not had to do since the Op.

Good luck with your takedown.
Caroline

Hi Shanna,

I'm not a boater but I regularly horseback ride (1 or 2 times a week). My pouch really does not bother me when I'm riding. I can go several hours without having to use the washroom. Obviously I make sure to do a bathroom check before I get on. Occasionally I take imodium when I ride but not all the time. You could take an imodium or two before you go out on the boat. You might be pleasantly surprised with what you can do! Keep in mind that this is not something you may be able to do immediately post takedown, but after a few months, as your pouch adapts, you may find that you can do more or less everything you've done before.

Every now and then the main line sewer to my house "backs up" and I have to make do until the plumber comes. Amazing what one can do with a large bucket lined with a heavy duty trash bag! Might be worth having on the boat just for peace of mind. You'll probably not even need it. Have fun!

You will likely have to wait a while before you can go out on the water with no bathroom unless your comfortable with going off the side.

I would feel comfortable now being three months out. I would probably skip a meal before going out and just eat a bigger one when I got back. However, with a J-pouch I have found that I can comfortable control when I need to go to the bathroom when I first feel it up to a couple hours if necessary, should be plenty of time to head back in if need does arise. Things will suck a first, but they get better.