recovering from second surgery out of 3

I was told recovery from the first j-pouch surgery is harder for most people than the total colectomy. I don't remember having any cramping but I had a really hard time with the temp ileo. Luckily, I only had it for 8 weeks. My hole also pointed directly at my skin. Are you using a convex wafer? Push it firmly down on your skin so that the ileo gets pushed up and away from your skin. Over time the ileo did move further away from my skin. I also had high acid problems with the temp ileo. Questran twice a day solved that problem.
I hope your recovery improves quickly.

My step 2 out of 3 surgery was more difficult to recover from than step 1. I too had jpouch cramping, etc.. and then it turned into a lot of mucous discharge.
Make sure you are staying hydrated. Listen to your body, and rest lots.
Yes.. try a convex wafer and a belt. See a stoma nurse to see if she/he has more ideas.
good luck.

I remember my 2nd surgery being the toughest of the 3. I recall my Dr. stating that because of the reconstruction of the small intestine and everything that had to be done, it might be a little harder on the body. Sorry about the loop stoma, I know, it sucks. When is surgery 3 scheduled for? Take Care.

glad to hear the cramping and longer recovery is somewhat normal!

i have been seeing a stoma nurse and have tried to convex flanges with a belt- still no luck.

unfortunately I live in Vancouver Canada and the wait time for my final surgery is 1-2 years... i don't think they can leave me in this situation for that long! I don't see myself being able to go back to work under these circumstances...

Wow.... 1-2 years?!? Is there any way to speed that up? That is a long time to live with a loop ileo.

Yes, longer recovery is definitely normal (at least in my experience). I think part of it is because it's easier with a loop ileo to get dehydrated, so more fatigue. I think part of it is the cumulative effects of surgeries and the anesthesia, etc. drugs in the system.

I wish you the best -- and hope you find a pouch system that works for you. Don't hesitate to try pouches from other companies - you might find one that works better for you. I changed from a simple one piece to a two piece convex after my second surgery - and I think I tried 3 or so before I found one that worked (my ileo was small and pointed down toward the skin). I had more trouble for sure with the loop ileo.

I hope things get better for you soon!

Becky

The loop ileo is the worst. They should use it as a torture method for prisioners lol. I tried so many different things to get my ileo to behave but it won the battle. Thank goodness it was only temporary! The second surgery when they make the j pouch is the hardest. I had the colectomy and the j pouch made at the same time so I had a VERY tough recovery from it all. Hang in there and I really hope you don't have to wait that long for takedown.

Have you tried the flanges from all of the manufacturers: Convatec, Hollister and Coloplast? Hollister was the most comfortable but Coloplast stayed on the longest. Each person seems to have different reactions as to which company makes the best for them.
Are you using a seal under the wafer? I ended up finding a Coloplast stoma strip thinly placed firmly around and under the stoma to work the best at protecting my skin and make the stoma protrude the most.
1 to 2 years? Why do they give you the temp ileo so far in advance? In some countries, j-pouch surgery is considered an elective so it isn't even covered under national health insurance. I guess we have to just accept it and deal with it.
I hope your stoma becomes easier to take care of soon.