How long should I wait to go swimming after my takedown surgery? My takedown is in 2 weeks and my family and I usually go to a water park around Christmas.
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That’s really a question for your surgeon. You might also want to ask it in a leading way (“I’m hoping to go with my family to a water park on xxx - do you think that will be possible?) so if the surgeon has a choice to make (e.g. whether to close the wound or not) your preference can be taken into account.
I would definitely wait 1-2 months. I took a shower right after takedown and my stoma site got infected because water and soap got into it. It got infected soo bad it put me back in the hospital for a few days. Definitely wait 1-2 months.
@Former Member posted:I would definitely wait 1-2 months. I took a shower right after takedown and my stoma site got infected because water and soap got into it. It got infected soo bad it put me back in the hospital for a few days. Definitely wait 1-2 months.
Geez that sounds terrible. I'll wait a few months for sure.
@Jaydog posted:Geez that sounds terrible. I'll wait a few months for sure.
Yeah it was terrible! The infection spread through my whole small intestine all the way down to my pouch, not sure if that is considered pouchitis or not but I say yeah. I had to get antibiotics for a few days in the hospital along with bowel rest and in addition to going home with antibiotcs as well. Definitely wait a couple of months lol.
I am so excited for your takedown! Good luck and let me know how it goes, there will be pain but remember to take it easy after surgery. I did not take it easy and my stitches came undone along with the stoma wound separating, it hurt like HELL!!!! So take it easy!!!! 
Remember you can always keep your ileostomy if you want to instead of chancing something new.
What is your surgery date??? I want to check in with you after.
@Former Member posted:Yeah it was terrible! The infection spread through my whole small intestine all the way down to my pouch, not sure if that is considered pouchitis or not but I say yeah. I had to get antibiotics for a few days in the hospital along with bowel rest and in addition to going home with antibiotcs as well. Definitely wait a couple of months lol.
I am so excited for your takedown! Good luck and let me know how it goes, there will be pain but remember to take it easy after surgery. I did not take it easy and my stitches came undone along with the stoma wound separating, it hurt like HELL!!!! So take it easy!!!!
Remember you can always keep your ileostomy if you want to instead of chancing something new.
What is your surgery date??? I want to check in with you after.
No way I'm keeping the illeostomy. I've come to far. I can't wait for my surgery. It's Nov 19. I know I've got some hard work in front of me but what's new. It will be an adventure. I will be taking it easy besides work. I work a very high pressure job. Not super physical but lots of pressure so I won't be able to be off long. I really hope I can get back in the gym next spring or so. I miss working out so bad
@Jaydog posted:No way I'm keeping the illeostomy. I've come to far. I can't wait for my surgery. It's Nov 19. I know I've got some hard work in front of me but what's new. It will be an adventure. I will be taking it easy besides work. I work a very high pressure job. Not super physical but lots of pressure so I won't be able to be off long. I really hope I can get back in the gym next spring or so. I miss working out so bad
Lol, I love your enthusiasm 
And okay, I will try to remember to check in with you that day! And when you are in the hospital and if you have any questions you can definitely ask me if you would like; I have 6 years experience with my pouchy and I poop 13-20x a day, so definitely experienced in that lol.
I wish I could talk you out of lifting weights; i have tried many times in that department but I guess I have to respect it and let it go; just try not to go over 20pounds . Hopefully you find something else that keeps you happy when the time comes- just please be careful.
@Former Member posted:Lol, I love your enthusiasm
I wish I could talk you out of lifting weights; i have tried many times in that department but I guess I have to respect it and let it go; just try not to go over 20pounds . Hopefully you find something else that keeps you happy when the time comes- just please be careful.
13-20 times a day? That seems like a lot. Do you have pouchitis?
@Jaydog posted:13-20 times a day? That seems like a lot. Do you have pouchitis?
No, I have always done that. I have had my J-pouch for 6 years and that is normal for me. 9 percent of the J-pouch community goes over 13, so I am a 9 percenter
You might be a 9 percenter too after takedown and you might not be, but at least if you are going to be a 9 percenter you have family here. Only special people are 9 percenters hahahaa
@Former Member posted:No, I have always done that. I have had my J-pouch for 6 years and that is normal for me. 9 percent of the J-pouch community goes over 13, so I am a 9 percenter
You might be a 9 percenter too after takedown and you might not be, but at least if you are going to be a 9 percenter you have family here. Only special people are 9 percenters hahahaa
I hope not but it's ok. I'll take what I can get. Does going so much interfere with you work and sleep?
@Jaydog posted:I hope not but it's ok. I'll take what I can get. Does going so much interfere with you work and sleep?
Trust me, going 13-20x a day is way better than having constipation problems and not being able to empty the pouch- a lot of people have those problems on here; going 13-20x a day definitely has its hard days but its a blessing. I would not trade it for constipation- constipation hurts.
And yeah it definitely interferes with my life; I plan around everything though. It definitely helps if you have a understanding boss, definitely make sure you explain everything fully to your boss; when I go to the bathroom, my bathroom trips are pretty quick- like a minute at least but no more than 5 minutes, so that helps. And with sleep, do not get me started on that lol. I barely sleep lol. Getting use to not sleeping was one of the hardest things to get use to after takedown! I get up overnight quite a few times but you get use to it over the years. I have not slept 8 hours straight since takedown- I miss that extremely, but do not worry, you get use to it I have my pouch be my alarm clock lol.
@Former Member posted:Trust me, going 13-20x a day is way better than having constipation problems and not being able to empty the pouch- a lot of people have those problems on here; going 13-20x a day definitely has its hard days but its a blessing. I would not trade it for constipation- constipation hurts.
And yeah it definitely interferes with my life; I plan around everything though. It definitely helps if you have a understanding boss, definitely make sure you explain everything fully to your boss; when I go to the bathroom, my bathroom trips are pretty quick- like a minute at least but no more than 5 minutes, so that helps. And with sleep, do not get me started on that lol. I barely sleep lol. Getting use to not sleeping was one of the hardest things to get use to after takedown! I get up overnight quite a few times but you get use to it over the years. I have not slept 8 hours straight since takedown- I miss that extremely, but do not worry, you get use to it
Do you ever try fasting so you don't have to empty at night? When I had my end illeo I was eating 2 meals a day. The first around 8 am and the second around 12. I would fast the rest of the day and I usually got a good night's sleep because I was pretty emptied out and didn't have to worry about my bag filling up
@Jaydog posted:Do you ever try fasting so you don't have to empty at night? When I had my end illeo I was eating 2 meals a day. The first around 8 am and the second around 12. I would fast the rest of the day and I usually got a good night's sleep because I was pretty emptied out and didn't have to worry about my bag filling up
Me fasting?!?!?!! Not going to happen lol but that does sound like a good idea but not going to happen for me lol.
@Former Member posted:Me fasting?!?!?!! Not going to happen lol but that does sound like a good idea but not going to happen for me lol.
It might be worth a try to help get some sleep. It's hard at first but it gets a lot easier with time. It also has a lot of health benefits. Just an idea.
@Jaydog posted:It might be worth a try to help get some sleep. It's hard at first but it gets a lot easier with time. It also has a lot of health benefits. Just an idea.
I think that is a great idea! I do a lot of stuff throughout the day and food gives me energy to do those things but maybe I can try drinks or something in place. I read not sleeping much can cause the brain to age quicker and cause problems in the future. I am only 28 so I do worry about those side effects for sure. I need to probably try that to be honest. Do you have drinks throughout the day???
@Former Member posted:I think that is a great idea! I do a lot of stuff throughout the day and food gives me energy to do those things but maybe I can try drinks or something in place. I read not sleeping much can cause the brain to age quicker and cause problems in the future. I am only 28 so I do worry about those side effects for sure. I need to probably try that to be honest. Do you have drinks throughout the day???
Yes I drink lots of water but not much else. We've been conditioned to think we need more food than we actually do. We don't need 3 to 5 meals a day to be healthy. As long as you are eating good healthy food and lots of protein you can easily get by on 1 to 2 meals a day and still feel great.
@Jaydog posted:Yes I drink lots of water but not much else. We've been conditioned to think we need more food than we actually do. We don't need 3 to 5 meals a day to be healthy. As long as you are eating good healthy food and lots of protein you can easily get by on 1 to 2 meals a day and still feel great.
Do you eat extra at those meal times??? I hear that people that eat 1-2 meals a day typically eat more calories at those meal times to help them stay stablize throughout the day? Is that true???
My typical current plan is that I eat 3 meals a day and 3 snacks a day. I am 5'10' and 129 pounds typically. So I definitely eat less than other people my height. I worry if I do it your way, I might lose too much weight?
@Former Member posted:Do you eat extra at those meal times??? I hear that people that eat 1-2 meals a day typically eat more calories at those meal times to help them stay stablize throughout the day? Is that true???
My typical current plan is that I eat 3 meals a day and 3 snacks a day. I am 5'10' and 129 pounds typically. So I definitely eat less than other people my height. I worry if I do it your way, I might lose too much weight?
No I don't nessesarily eat more but I definitely eat a good meal. If you are worried about gaining or losing weight then get a calorie tracker app on your phone and keep track of all your calories and nutrients. That way you can see what works for you. Secondly weigh yourself every morning to see what your body is doing. You don't have to do this forever but long enough to develop a plan that works. You are going 13 to 20 times a day and you have accepted that is your normal. And maybe it is but between meals and snacks you are eating 6 times a day. Your body is constantly digesting food and pushing it through your system. You may be able to cut back on the bathroom trips if you cut down on the meals. It's worth a try anyways. You can always go back if you don't like it.
@Jaydog posted:No I don't nessesarily eat more but I definitely eat a good meal. If you are worried about gaining or losing weight then get a calorie tracker app on your phone and keep track of all your calories and nutrients. That way you can see what works for you. Secondly weigh yourself every morning to see what your body is doing. You don't have to do this forever but long enough to develop a plan that works. You are going 13 to 20 times a day and you have accepted that is your normal. And maybe it is but between meals and snacks you are eating 6 times a day. Your body is constantly digesting food and pushing it through your system. You may be able to cut back on the bathroom trips if you cut down on the meals. It's worth a try anyways. You can always go back if you don't like it.
Yeah seems like its worth a try! I may try it in the future. Being tired all of the time is not fun lol.
How many hours of sleep do you get???
And how often do you empty out your bag???
@Former Member posted:Yeah seems like its worth a try! I may try it in the future. Being tired all of the time is not fun lol.
How many hours of sleep do you get???
And how often do you empty out your bag???
It really depends on what I eat and how close to bed I eat. Yesterday I fasted all morning. I ate 1 big meal around 1 pm then fasted the rest of the day. I slept all through the night without emptying my bag once. I did wake up a couple times just out of habit to check my bag but I went right back to sleep
@Jaydog posted:It really depends on what I eat and how close to bed I eat. Yesterday I fasted all morning. I ate 1 big meal around 1 pm then fasted the rest of the day. I slept all through the night without emptying my bag once. I did wake up a couple times just out of habit to check my bag but I went right back to sleep
WOW you are really lucky!!! When I had my ostomy, if I did not get up overnight, it leaked like crazy!!! I do not usually hear about people being able to sleep all night without getting up, even J-pouches its rare! You must know what you are doing lol.
I hear eating often makes your metabolism rate speed up and not eating often lowers the rate of your metabolism. I guess there is pros and cons to everything.
@Former Member posted:WOW you are really lucky!!! When I had my ostomy, if I did not get up overnight, it leaked like crazy!!! I do not usually hear about people being able to sleep all night without getting up, even J-pouches its rare! You must know what you are doing lol.
I hear eating often makes your metabolism rate speed up and not eating often lowers the rate of your metabolism. I guess there is pros and cons to everything.
Yes and no. The trick is to not fast every single day if you are worried about your metabolism slowing down. You can fast 4 or 5 be days a week and eat really good a couple days a week and it keeps your body guessing. I've tried every diet you can think of. I wrestled at a high level years ago so I became very good at controlling my weight. I also was into body building. I still go back to what I said in an earlier comment. I think we have been conditioned to believe we need more food than we really do.
@Jaydog posted:Yes and no. The trick is to not fast every single day if you are worried about your metabolism slowing down. You can fast 4 or 5 be days a week and eat really good a couple days a week and it keeps your body guessing. I've tried every diet you can think of. I wrestled at a high level years ago so I became very good at controlling my weight. I also was into body building. I still go back to what I said in an earlier comment. I think we have been conditioned to believe we need more food than we really do.
You must have done lots of research on this topic!! You are very educated on fasting I see! I read and heard fasting can help IBD patients too by giving their system a rest, especially during a flare- that could be good for our J-pouch and ileostomy too in addition to the rectal cuff. Fasting is used all around the world especially in hospitals, it must be a very good thing, especially for healing.
Are you a vegetarian too??? I have been one for over 5 years
@Former Member posted:You must have done lots of research on this topic!! You are very educated on fasting I see! I read and heard fasting can help IBD patients too by giving their system a rest, especially during a flare- that could be good for our J-pouch and ileostomy too in addition to the rectal cuff. Fasting is used all around the world especially in hospitals, it must be a very good thing, especially for healing.
Are you a vegetarian too??? I have been one for over 5 years
No I'm not but I've thought about trying it
@Jaydog posted:No I'm not but I've thought about trying it
I think you should! There is lots of benefits! It is high in prebiotics and probiotics so that reduces pouchitis risk I have been one for 5 years and never had it. And animals are saved and it helps save the environment Lots of benefits to it for you and the world and lives