Restroom visits

It all depends on what and when I eat.  Usually after dinner I am in the loo 2-3 times within 2-3 hours of the meal.  There is only a very slight sense of urgency.  If I have salad or fresh fruit I will need to go sooner.  I consider myself completely bowel healthy.  I work full time in pediatric critical care and do 10,000 steps in a 12 hour shift.  I play in a pipe band and do parades and shows.  (No large meals prior to those.  A granola bar will do).  I love to travel and am so happy with my pouch.

That's good to hear! It does depend on what you eat for sure, and it's different for everyone as well. Hoping others will chime in with their experiences as well.  Thanks for the feedback!

Diesel

I am 5 months post takedown. I go about 6 times a day now. Morning first thing then around 2-3 pm. Once in the evening and twice before I hit the bed. Once in night during I sleep. It depends on how much I eat. If I overdo I'd one extra visit. My surgeon said it'll come to 2-3 times a day thats what I am trying for.

Not long after takedown surgery, my Bowel Movements were 3 to 4 times per day sometimes 5 or 6, not every day, it varies.

On avarage, 3 to 4 times per day, never less than 2 and rarely more than 5.

I eat absolutely anything and without issues, although poridge oats, does make a difference and within maybe a hour of eating it, I need the toilet; boiled eggs has the same effect but only late at night ?

Food intake must obviously make a difference to our output and although I'm roughly 14lbs heavier than I've ever been, I don't eat that often or much and I guess this must make a difference.

Yeah eggs at night make me go for one visit too and thats pretty loose. But I think the protein and nutrient added balances out. Its essential when you are hitting gym 6x a week you just cant do without boiled eggs atleast I cannot. Even excess dairy adds some extra visits. I try to avoid it but then again I have 2 cups of milk tea that does loosen the stool a bit. 

RAJ..... When hitting the gym  6 X a week, what is your goal ? 

I am nearing my 9th year post takedown.  As most have mentioned, frequency is dependent on how much I eat and what I eat.  Most days I’d say I go 3-4 times.  I don’t typically eat breakfast & some days I only use toilet 1-2 times (unless dinner contained lots of fiber or spice) later in day, after dinner.  

All I can say is that I'm jealous of everyone's # of bathroom visits.
I'm at the far end with - 10 visits per day + 2 at night.
After 4 years of daily experiments on diet / pills / supplements / behavioral changes, I can't get these numbers to go down.
Even though this situation is depressing and annoying, I don't let it interfere with my activities and I live a good life.

strange posted:

RAJ..... When hitting the gym  6 X a week, what is your goal ? 

Bro I am trying to compete at some stage in my life under naturals category. For obvious reasons steroids are out of question to add gains. Even with colitis I had  65kgs lean muscle mass at one point. So I think I can get back to that point again now that I can eat all the good foods.

PS : I currently weight 56kgs up from 43kgs post takedown. So the progress seems good so far.

I'm roughly 14 months post takedown and still trying to get frequency below 10 in 24 hours. I've been battling chronic cuffitis though. Canasa helps with the bleeding and urgency but only slightly on the frequency. I'm also doing pelvic floor therapy. Fun times.  It's amazing what we j-pouchers go through. I do miss my colon and the freedom once enjoyed when I was in remission.  After 18 years of UC and surgeries/recoveries, I've now got 2 cm of cuff to deal with. Can't wait for the day--and I'm still optimistic--that my day won't be planned around having a bathroom nearby.

Sorry for your issues, and I hope you get some relief soon! I believe it does get better in time, especially when you figure out how your pouch reacts to what you eat, as I found it was trial and error for a while. I experienced the same issues with pouchitis and cuffitis as well, and stayed on Cipro. I started taking tablespoons of raw Manuka honey, and was able to come off the antibiotics. I eat a couple of spoonfuls in the morning when I get up, and wait 30 minutes before I eat, and eat a couple more before bed as well.  Read up on it, as it has lots of benefits I believe!  I will be 3 years post takedown in April of this year. thanks

Anyone else using Manuka honey? Just got some to replace sugar.

Raj posted:

strange posted:

RAJ..... When hitting the gym  6 X a week, what is your goal ?

Bro I am trying to compete at some stage in my life under naturals category. For obvious reasons steroids are out of question to add gains. Even with colitis I had  65kgs lean muscle mass at one point. So I think I can get back to that point again now that I can eat all the good foods.

PS : I currently weight 56kgs up from 43kgs post takedown. So the progress seems good so far.

My experience of weightlifting was purely to bulk up as a teenager, look more defined and judging by your response, you're probably more knowledgable to exercise and working out than I am.

I'm a firm believer of a rest day between sessions; to allow muscles to recover and develop, hence my original question.

My workout split is chest+tricep/back+biceps/legs+shoulder. Rest is absolutely essential so I hit those part after a gap of 2 days. It takes 2 days/48hrs for a muscle to recover. Also Sundays are a rest day. I keep macros balanced pretty much. 1 scoop of whey isolate and anywhere between 6-8 egg whites to get all the protein. I also consume dairy and nuts for fats. Rest carbs are easy to get. 

Raj posted:

My workout split is chest+tricep/back+biceps/legs+shoulder. Rest is absolutely essential so I hit those part after a gap of 2 days. It takes 2 days/48hrs for a muscle to recover. Also Sundays are a rest day. I keep macros balanced pretty much. 1 scoop of whey isolate and anywhere between 6-8 egg whites to get all the protein. I also consume dairy and nuts for fats. Rest carbs are easy to get.

You're in a different league to myself; I don't  participating in any fitness routine or training but when I did it was a combination of strength training and endurance with the a desire to bulk up. I wanted to look more defined and stocky but not to the extent of Arnold Schwarzenegger or the likes.

I dont know man. Its just that I dont feel too much of a difference with the pouch except for the fact I have to go like 5-6 times a day. But honestly I was already doing that in UC so now its great. I am mot trying to be Arnold like. Its just a dream like many other so I just go there workout and come back with dedication. Also my workout sessions are smaller as I am doing 6x a week. I workout for like 45-50 mins against guys with 3-4 day splits who workout for upto 1.5-2 hrs. I believe in intensity and lesser rest between sets in other words hypertrophy.

Raj posted:

I dont know man. Its just that I dont feel too much of a difference with the pouch except for the fact I have to go like 5-6 times a day. But honestly I was already doing that in UC so now its great. I am mot trying to be Arnold like. Its just a dream like many other so I just go there workout and come back with dedication. Also my workout sessions are smaller as I am doing 6x a week. I workout for like 45-50 mins against guys with 3-4 day splits who workout for upto 1.5-2 hrs. I believe in intensity and lesser rest between sets in other words hypertrophy.

Hey, I wasn't criticising.

Although, your response to my initial question and additional responces, which mention, lean muscle mass, keeping macros balanced, whey isolate and consuming 6-8 egg whites for protein, puts you in a totally different league to myself.

We may also have differing philosophies on muscle development and maybe for differing goals.

My opinions can easily be absorbed by someone new to weight lifting and body building but not normally by an experienced body builder like yourself.

I've never followed a specific diet for muscle mass or consumed additional protein, I've allowed my level of activity to dictate my appetite.

Yes, I've ensured to eat the obligatory good foods, such as fish, chicken and red meats but I don't believe exercise should dictate my diet.

Also, It's my belief, that when working different muscle groups on alternate days, the muscle groups worked the previous day are not achieving complete rest and recovery.

I'm sorry to the OP for hijacking your thread.

Jfill21 posted:

Can't wait for the day--and I'm still optimistic--that my day won't be planned around having a bathroom nearby.

I can totally relate to this statement.