Hi Fosty,

 

I had my pouch removed in Oct 2013 after having it for 18 years. I actually did NO bowel prep, which was a total surprise when my surgeon told me that bowel preps are a thing of the past at my hospital - they lead to dehydration and low blood sugar post op.

 

I ate my heart out until 8pm the night before, then liquids from 8pm - 6am. At 6am I drank a high sugar drink and was in the OR at 8am. 

 

From what I understand, my surgery team cleans out the GI tract prior to taking anything out anyway, and I have to say, I woke up feeling great compared to the 2 step surgeries I had in the mid 90s.

 

That being said, every centre has it's own best practise guidelines, so there must be a reason why your surgeon wants you on it for 3 weeks.

 

I hope this helps

Yes I'm surprised as well as I didn't have it for the initial pouch surgery in 2004. I should have questioned it more at the appt. How was the surgery for you? Are you feeling much happier without the pouch? Appreciate the feedback. Thanks 😊

Meant to ask are you in Toronto? If so where did you have it done ?

OK, it looks like the product they are asking you to take (if I found the right one online) is to help with weight loss - do they want you to slim down a bit before the operation? Maybe that's what is going on.

 

I had my pouch put in and taken out at Mt Sinai in Toronto - it was a difficult recovery for sure but I was back to work after six months and I feel amazing! This ostomy has given me my life back and I am sure it will do the same for you

 

Who is doing your surgery?

I am not obese for sure could lose maybe 20lb like a lot of us! Was heavier first surgery but still not off the charts. This is a 3 wk thing of just drinking. Never asked to do this prior to first surgery. I'm also Mt Sinai. Had Robin McLeod but she's gone so Helen Macrae. Only met her twice but miss my other one. Who's yours? I will ask again about the optifast. I'm 5'5" and weigh about 165. Can def lose some but 3 wks on that then surgery that's a lot!!

Btw good to know you recovered well. I am nervous about the surgery. Did you have both done at once? Removal and ostomy ?

McLeod did my initital surgeries in the 90s and then she did my removal in 2013, just months before she moved over to Cancer Care Ontario. Small world!

 

MaCrae is wonderful. She was a fellow back when I had my initial surgeries done and I've met her a bunch of times. Great bedside manner, and actually McLeod had to call MaCrae into the OR at one point during my surgery to help her out. I have nothing but good things to say about the two of them. I do miss McLeod though, she saved my life in the 90s, and then gave me quality of life in 2013.

 

I had the removal and ostomy all done at once, McLeod said that was the way to do it. And you know what, I was glad I did. I got it all over and done with, and yes, it was hard, I was in the hospital for 12 days (despite a marathon of walking daily I just couldn't open up and was vomiting and all that good stuff) and had a homecare RN come from Oct - Feb (my abdo wound needed to be opened completely so it took 4 months to heal) - my RN was a real life saver. I looked forward to her daily visits.

 

Feel free to PM me for more details!

Great to know you survived it all. McLeod did mine in 2004 and was good for the most part except some partials etc. Just poor functioning for past year so I've had enough. So happy to hear about Macrae as i really didn't know her. I appreciate the feedback you have put my mind at ease. Just crazy about the optifast though. I also read it's for bariatric surgery. I will def ask her. How do you pm on here?

Fosty, good luck with your pouch removal. I had mine removed in January. I can honestly say that my life has been better in the last six months than it was during the four years with my jpouch. Keep your eye on the long-term and best of luck!

Lambiepie thanks so much! I really needed to hear that. I've totally had enough of my pouch!

Heya Fosty,

 

I'm not sure if you saw my reply to your PM - look up at the top of your screen to where it says "dialogs" and you should see my email in there