I just got my ostomy reversed to complete the J Pouch yesterday at 11am. I couldn't believe how easy it was compared to the previous 2 surgeries. I have almost no pain and feel great, almost like I didn't have surgery. The doctors wouldn't allow me to walk yesterday, but I ignored them and did about 20 laps around the floor. I haven't had a bowel movement yet, but I feel it coming very soon, that's when the real recovery starts. Just wanted to post this in case anyone is getting their reversal anytime soon. Its a walk in the park!
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Yeah the procedure itself is pretty easy. Just be prepared for it to get a little crazy when your bowels wake up and you start going. For me the craziness only lasted about a week and then it was smooth sailing. Good luck and keep walking! 
Good to hear! Compared to my other 2 surgeries, my takedown was also by far the easiest. I had no complications, and most importantly, no ileus and no obstructions. But mgmt10 is right, you will probably get a little nutty once your bowels start trying to figure out their new role. But it sounds like you are well on your way to a new phase in your life!
I've got my takedown surgery scheduled for next Tuesday.
Can't wait to say goodbye to the ileostomy and move forward!
Can't wait to say goodbye to the ileostomy and move forward!
Yep, you guys were right. My bowels woke up and I've been in the bathroom 10 times in about 15 hours, but I expected this so its not that bad. I'll just have to grab a nap here and there cause I didn't sleep much last night. Still thinking positive and using Calmoseptine lotion with every BM. I get to go home today and hopefully get some rest.
I just had my reversal on Tuesday too. So far, everything is going as planned. I am in a little more pain then I expected, but I am trying not to use the pain killers as much...the pain is definitely tolerable. My bowels started waking up last night! It was so nice to have a 'regular' BM :0).
Started liquids today. Hopefully my recovery will stay on schedule. Compared to the 1st surgery, this is much more tolerable, both physically and emotionally. It is much easier to wake up without the bag than it was to wake up with it. The night after my surgery I kept thinking I better empty my bag soon, and then smiled as I realized that I didn't have one anymore.
I haven't started hitting the bathroom every hour yet, but when I do it won't be too bad because I am expecting it. Went into this phase expecting to need a lot of patience based on what I read on this site.
Continued good helping Blake.
Peace,
Mark
Started liquids today. Hopefully my recovery will stay on schedule. Compared to the 1st surgery, this is much more tolerable, both physically and emotionally. It is much easier to wake up without the bag than it was to wake up with it. The night after my surgery I kept thinking I better empty my bag soon, and then smiled as I realized that I didn't have one anymore.
I haven't started hitting the bathroom every hour yet, but when I do it won't be too bad because I am expecting it. Went into this phase expecting to need a lot of patience based on what I read on this site.
Continued good helping Blake.
Peace,
Mark
Great news....best wishes for a continued happy recovery!
Hey 1970, we had ours done the same day. That's pretty cool. I have a question for you. Is your belly pretty swollen? Mine is, almost like it hangs over my pants, but I'm not fat. I hope its just swelling, but not sure because I think its pretty much been swollen the whole time I had an ostomy bag. I keep reaching for my bag to check it also. Its awesome to not have it anymore. Hope your recovery goes well!
Mark & Blake- THIS MAKES ME SMILE BIG TIME!! I'm glad you're doing so good. Keep posting your status so I have an idea of how it all goes. I'm seriously considering surgery as well and reading your posts helps me feel more at ease.
Congratulations to you both
Congratulations to you both
Hey Blake...yes the right side of my belly is swollen where the incision was made. It was also kind of swollen when I had the ileostomy bag.
It will be interesting to see how my belly looks when everything has healed.
Thanks casie...I'll definitely keep posting throughout my recovery.
Srf has his takedown next Tuesday. So you should be getting some good current insight.
If you have any questions, please feel free to private message me. This decision was the hardest decision I ever had to make. I will be glad to help in any way that I can, just like everybody else on this amazing site.
Peace,
Mark
It will be interesting to see how my belly looks when everything has healed.
Thanks casie...I'll definitely keep posting throughout my recovery.
Srf has his takedown next Tuesday. So you should be getting some good current insight.
If you have any questions, please feel free to private message me. This decision was the hardest decision I ever had to make. I will be glad to help in any way that I can, just like everybody else on this amazing site.
Peace,
Mark
Most of us all went home from takedown with swollen bellies and looking 6 months pregnant. It's normal and the swelling will go down in the coming days.
Congrats to you both on your takedowns and wishing you an easy recovery!
Congrats to you both on your takedowns and wishing you an easy recovery!
I'm guessing a lot of the swelling is because they once
again pump you full of air during the surgery???
I looked and felt like a human balloon after surgery #1.
again pump you full of air during the surgery???
I looked and felt like a human balloon after surgery #1.
Stay positive and stay patient because you still have a long road ahead of you. Don't measure your results in days. Some people recover easier than others and I had a miserable recovery. HOWEVER, once I righted the ship it was smooth sailing...
I knew this surgery was too easy to be true. I had a little hiccup today. They let me leave the hospital today after lunch. I ate a hamburger patty and mashed potatoes and immediately felt nausiated, bloated, fever, and major stomach cramps. So I'm back in the hospital, they said they were gonna take some X rays to see if its a blockage or something. Anyway, make sure you don't over eat or start eating things you're not ready for too early and you should be fine. Take care!
I had the same thing happen right when I went home only I toughed it out and didnt go back to the hospital. Its good you are back in the hospital. I had nausea with vomiting and pain. It passed pretty quickly. I'm sure it was a small obstruction. Things are still swollen inside you so you have to take it easy with food or a bit. Feel better!
I also had my tskedown and was wondering what are some light foods to stick to for the first few weeks. Just soups for a while or ? Many thanks.
Hey uncle pockets, I will be on a low residue diet for 6 weeks.
I had my gastrograffin x ray done this morning and got
the word that everything looks good with no leaks!
Takedown surgery is a go for next Tuesday at 10:00AM.
the word that everything looks good with no leaks!
Takedown surgery is a go for next Tuesday at 10:00AM.
Good luck srf and keep us posted!
Peace,
Mark
Peace,
Mark
Thanks Mark!
Something weird but worth passing along as I've never
read about it was when they gave me the barium enema
it not only filled my J pouch but flowed up and
into my ostomy bag. I had a full bag of barium fluid
after my exam.
Something weird but worth passing along as I've never
read about it was when they gave me the barium enema
it not only filled my J pouch but flowed up and
into my ostomy bag. I had a full bag of barium fluid
after my exam.
Hey srf,
I had my bag fill up about halfway as well. I read that this could happen, so I emptied my bag right before the test. I can see if you're not expecting it, it could catch you by surprise. They really should mention that this might happen, but for some reason they don't.
Peace,
Mark
I had my bag fill up about halfway as well. I read that this could happen, so I emptied my bag right before the test. I can see if you're not expecting it, it could catch you by surprise. They really should mention that this might happen, but for some reason they don't.
Peace,
Mark
Blake D. posted:Yep, you guys were right. My bowels woke up and I've been in the bathroom 10 times in about 15 hours, but I expected this so its not that bad. I'll just have to grab a nap here and there cause I didn't sleep much last night. Still thinking positive and using Calmoseptine lotion with every BM. I get to go home today and hopefully get some rest.
Hi Blake,
Four year after j pouch functioning. How are things going? I have done my first surgery and have end ileostomy. Planning to go for Jpouch creation in Sep 2016 and closure in Mar 2017. I am extremely happy with my end ileostomy as I can eat / drink anything and gained wait with no drug and decease. Would you recommend jpouch over end ileo if end ileo is working well?
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Y.O.B. 1979 Diagnosed with UC April 2012 Decided to go with 3 part J Pouch Surger Mar. 24th 2016 - Step 1, colon removal & temp ileo TBD Sep 2016 - Step 2, J Pouch creation TBD Mar 2013 - Step 3 - reversal
I am 8 days from my Takedown surgery, which was completed laprascopically. The initial pain was pretty unpleasant, so morphine definitely helped. I transitioned to Tylenol and have been taking it at home as needed. So far, I have no real complaints and feel as though things are going as I expected. My initial reservations about the j-pouch were probably due to age; I will be 62 in October, so I feel pretty good about my progress so far. I will say that I had good advice from my sister, who had her pouch completed several years ago, as well as what I was able to take from going to this forum. I have to agree with the swollen belly, though the incision site bothers me more. I will be glad when that has healed. Looking forward to getting my bidet today! Another great tip of advice!
Chris
Hi Chris, Glad to hear that results are as expected. My take down will be in March if everything goes as planned. Hope things get lot better for you and you get back to normal. Take care - Hope you enjoy life more than ever before.
Mine was not great, I had a rough time in the hospital, throwing up, lots of pain, just a hard time. I spent over 10 days for the takedown in the hospital. But, things are good now, I just am one of those who's norm will be just liquid, no thickness. The butt burn is the worst, but barrier creams work great. Just remember to keep water going 24/7 so you don't get dehydrated and get lots of salt! Both my surgeon and my gastro said to salt my salt! Because I have no thickness and just liquid, I lose mega amounts of salt, so I crave it! But, I'm very happy with my pouch. I never, never, never want to go back to the bag, ever!!! Best of luck to you! Take care of your pouch and it'll take good care of you!!! You will be pleased!
Nora
Nora, have you tried soluble fiber, like Metamucil? It generally thickens things up.
I have tried it all, even prescription! It is frustrating, but knowing this is my norm makes it easier. At least I know there is nothing wrong! But I've tried it all, to no avail. Just a waste of my money. I stock up on barrier creams!!!! However, my life isn't impacted too much, I just need to make sure a bathroom is near or, if I'm going hiking or something, I just limit my food intake so I won't have to go. Life is much easier with a pouch as compared to life with UC however! I'll take this over the UC symptoms any day!
I prefer the liquidy output because it is easier and faster to feel empty. As long as I have full control.....I do........the thickness of my output does not matter to me. It is the "new normal" for me!