Can you release the gas when you lay on your side? You could try all different positions while you are on the toilet. Strain.. relax... bend forward.. sideways... arch your back etc.

Unfortunately these days are going to come and go and being so early in your recovery you are going to be riding this wave for a little while as your body adjusts to its new system and you experiment with certain foods. You might want to keep a log what foods cause you gas and which ones don't this will help you custom fit your diet to your daily routine. It's a game of tug of war and you just gotta find the balance. Gas-x works great if you already have built up gas from stuff that you ate I use the extra strength chewables. You might want to invest in some beano if you are eating foods you aren't sure about and take those prior to eating as it breaks down the enzymes and eliminates gas from producing. Probiotics are good to take as a maintenance for your digestive system but if your body isn't used to them in the beginning you could experience alot of cramps and stomach pains which means it's doing its job. Welcome to the community and good luck. Don't ever be afraid to ask questions it's never too soon in your recovery process to look for some reassurance.

Lesandiego, yeah, I definitely wiggle, haha. It helps a bit but today has been tougher, hence the post.

I'm just glad to hear it's fairly normal right now, phonix2g; my big worry is pouchitis/cuffitis, so any deviation from how great I've been feeling makes me freak out a bit

Please don't stress out about pouchitis or cuffitis this early. Unfortunately when we are new to the game and things aren't going smoothly we think worst case scenario. You have to make sure you stay calm and keep a level head and realize that this is all part of your recovery process. I know and probably most vets on here do also that we fell into that same mindset when we first got our pouches. It's going to take time for you to get used to the changes not only physically but mentally. This is all foreign to you right now. Just try not to bug yourself out and make yourself believe that you are sick when you aren't. I agree with the previous post also to try and find a position that you are able to pass gas. At first this might be a game of roulette and you might lose so keep some extra underwear handy. I posted a while ago "bathroom yoga" because that's what it feels like at first when you are trying to get used to how to get the best flow from your pouch you gotta try different positions on the toilet to be able to release as much as possible. This will keep you away from the risk of pouchitis ensuring that your emptying as much waste from your pouch as possible. Let us know how things work out.

I always stand up and touch my toes then sit down again one last time before I'm "done" with a BM... It almost always dislodges a gas bubble and sometimes even a lot of stool from behind the gas. Keeps me limber, too

Keeping the log helps but also it's good to accept that your body is such a complex system and some days will be weird for no apparent reason (and some days will be awesome for no apparent reason too). I'm sure there were times in your colon-ed past when you had a lot of gas too.

You might try taking some Gas-X if you're feeling bloated, it won't get rid of the gas but it helps it combine into bigger bubbles that are easier to pass.

Appreciate the reassurances, guys. I've felt a little better this evening which is good; after a crazy year of being dx/hospitalized/surgeries, it's hard to remember not to worry!

Super Digestive Enzymes by brands Solray or LifeExtensions, can be purchased in a Health Food Store or on line are better and cheaper than Gas X and cover more foods. They cover more foods and help cut down on gas but don't get rid of it all. They really helped me in the early months and my pouch and GI system was getting use to the new plumbing!

Also try doing a version of the yoga downward dog to un-lodge gas as gas rises. Get on your knees and hands then lower your head, arms and hands out stretched out leaving your butt up in the air for at least 30 seconds, the longer the better. You will want to get on the toilet before expelling the gas

GAS was my nightmare in the beginning of my surgery due to c.diff and sibo, and new plumbing. Bentyl, that magic blue pill got me through the first 6 months a lot easier. calms the bowels a bit.