I posted this in the other thread on this topic:

Hi there this was me a couple weeks ago. You already received advice which is good.

Here is a little bit of my experience. I was in the hospital for two nights and I started pooping the day after surgery. I wasn't mentally prepared to leave so early. I was afraid to eat for a week and consequently I had anxiety attacks. Once I started eating I felt better. This surgery was the easiest but most emotional for me. Like you I was afraid of my new life.

Now I'm doing well. I can hold it, I sleep through the night (maybe I get up once) and I can work. They left a big hole in my stomach where the stoma was. I put gauze in and tape over. After 9 days the inner big hole closed and the whole thing was shallow. I'm still putting gauze and tape over it but I don't need to pack it anymore. It's healing well and I'm expecting it to stop oozing soon.

And I eat what I like which is awesome. 

ANDRINA-

Thank you so much for sharing your experience. I hope that mine goes as well as yours. Anxiety has become my new normal, not knowing what to expect and random attack’s. This was not anything I have experienced before. 

I cannot wait to get rid of the stoma bags, they have been the hardest to deal with this past surgery. I know that the take down will at least fix that but I am hoping for no complications. I am 38 and though I am told by doctors that I am young I have had many complications. 

Can I ask you how long you healed before takedown? My doctor game me six weeks, hope that is enough time, but I am feeling pressure and going to the bathroom from down there, although it’s not stool it is an off white peach like liquid. 

I hope two days is all I need to stay at the hospital my normal after every surgery has been 7 days. I guess I am a slow healer, ugh so anxious to get this over with it has been absolute hell. 

Jpouchinseattle

Jpouchinseattle,        My takedown was pretty uneventful. Pooped the second day, got to go home on the third. You've had some really good advise so far. My advise is to be kind to yourself. It's okay if your healing takes a bit longer than someone elses. It's okay to be nervous, believe me, we all were. Remember we are all different on this journey, so what happened to one doesn't happen to all. My take down was exciting to me. No more bags. I couldn't wait. Those loop or temp. stomas rather suck. To high maintenance. Lol Anyway, remember to take loose comfortable clothes to wear home. Get some panty liners and pad for accidents that may or may not happen. A pad or towels under you on the bed for a bit, until your pouch gets regulated is a good idea also. Mainly be kind and patient with yourself. Good luck, keep us informed.

Aimee

I got to have two takedowns, since my first one ended with peritonitis, urgent surgery and a second ileostomy.  The second stoma was horrible, I got terrible lesions on my skin and had to work from home.   Fortunately that heals fast after takedown.  I'm only 4 months out - doc said it would take a year to adjust - but even with issues (lack of sleep, butt burn etc.)  it is miles better than the stoma.   I only had one 'accident' - fortunately I was sleeping on a chux - my first night home from the hospital.  I stayed in the hospital nearly a week, having been quite miserable with ileus for a few days post surgery.    Then I worked from home for two weeks, wish I could have done four as I had a very hard time getting through a day of work when I went back.  Get a squirt bottle and take it to the hospital, 'cos once you start to go you will want to rinse and pat dry.  Oh, and take some zinc oxide cream as well.  If you are obsessive about using it your butt will be grateful.  Let us know how it goes!  

Thank you for the advice, I have been out of work for over a month and a half now these leaks are crazy, this new stoma does not function at all like my first one, as stool comes out of my skin. It hasn’t been annoying, but I have been treating my skin the next I could and thankfully pain meds have helped with the burning pain. 

I am starting to get a lot of pressure down there, and so far have been discharging a peachish, off white substance. This morning I went again to release and it was brown with some light spotting of blood, is this normal? 

I just hope it does not mean, that I have more complications coming my way. I have a scan scheduled for tomorrow and a flex sig Thursday, I cannot wait for this stoma to come down, and though I am scared for recovery, I am looking forward to getting things back to somewhat normality. 

My doc said discharge from anus is normal.  Even with little spots of blood.  Sometimes I had none, sometimes a couple times a day.  

Discharge is normal, it's actually even a good sign, it means you still have regenerating bacteria in your gut.  If you bathe your butt with warm water you it will pour out of you until empty.. useful just before bed etc.

When I had my takedown the top advice was to walk, as soon as you could for as much as you could to get the bowel working.  It's still good advice

I was 7 and a half weeks. Close to 8. Pooping mucus from the not yet connected J-pouch happened to me and it's normal.