What are your symptoms besides a swollen and sore abdomen? That is to be expected a week after surgery.

Like Jeff mentioned, it is to be expected. The milk will most likely cause gas, which is going to cause discomfort as you are still fresh out of surgery. I was distended, bloated for a good month and a half, two months. I am almost 4 months post takedown and still get bloated and gassy easily.

At about a month out of my takedown, my GI told me to take GAS- X chewables, cherry is the best, every 4 hours, no matter what. It worked. That and a probiotic, Philips colon health. Once I started that I really saw a difference in how much I was bloated and gassy.

Remember you are going to have to really refrain from eating those cravings and take it slow because your intestines ate trying to train as your colon and this takes time. Try something new, one thing at a time, so you know what works with you. I experienced several complications and still have to be careful what I eat.

Since your just out of surgery, I'd like to give you some inspiration. Just be patient and keep the faith. Take it slow, don't rush and talk to someone about what you're feeling, this forum has been a blessing and has gotten me through the toughest of days. If you need someone to talk to or have a question about something that just doesn't seem right, feel free to message me. Let me know and I will give you my email. Advice on pain, activity, foods etc... Congrats on your takedown!

Heidi

2011
Diagnosed with unresponsive severe ulcerative colitis

2012
Total colectomy with ileostomy
Jpouch with loop ileostomy
Takedown

The swelling and pain are driving me nuts! That is my biggest complaint of anything right now.
I'm supposed to be on a low residue diet for two weeks then see a doctor. The pain and swelling make me not want to eat anything which isn't good so I force feed myself safe protein now.
My doctor did say I could have gasX too but it isn't making a lot of difference. And I've been on probiotics for months now (started them before 2nd surgery). I'm also taking Reglan 4 times a day.

I guess it is a waiting game and I have to get used to it.

Thanks
Jen

I'm so sorry, I can definitely relate. I was scared to eat anything due to out caused me pain and bloating. It will take a little while, but one day you will see a difference. I thought and told myself I had made a mistake, but I regret thinking that now. Literally, it just stopped out of the blue. Of course I still have not so good days, but I am having more good ones!

Make sure you have something for pain, you deserve it. Also watch out for partial obstructions. This can cause severe bloating, nausea etc... Eat small, easily digestible foods through out the day. Banana, skinless chicken thighs, hello, pudding, saltine crackers.... No wheat, whole grains, sweets, this regimen helped me. If you do feel like something is stuck keep to broths and liquids.

Any questions, feel free to ask.

Heidi

Hello lovedby2! I am new to the site and have some questions. I had my takedown on Jan 9th of this year and I am really struggling with the diet. I searching from answers from people close to takedown like me to gauge when I can expect to introduce the foods I want to eat, i.e. salads and vegetables, brown rice. Also, I am very limited to doing much exercise. I go to work and come home and lay in bed. I find that any movement, i.e. walking the dog or walking across my kitchen causes my bowel to want to empty. Did this happen to you and how long does this go on for? Any timelines on progression you experienced would be greatly appreciated!

Michele,

You may be experiencing post-takedown spasmodic pouch (post surgical excessive motility of the bowel) which is easily controlled by meds like bentyl, levsin or donnatal. Usually it is triggered by eating rather than activity, but I believe both could be triggers. Speak to your surgeon about these issues. I had spasmodic pouch/bowel for quite some time after takedown until it died down.

Hi. I started off eating very bland, my stomach and Jpouch was sensitive too variety of foods. I ate baked chicken, white rice, mashed potato, jello, applesauce, bananas... I would get diahrea with anything I ate, I still do. The reason for a bland diet was to keep the bloating and gas away... I to this day stay away from wheat products, sugars, whole grain.

For the first 3 1/2 months I was miserable with anal pain, pressure, bloating, gas, and not being able to eat much. I relied on saltine crackers at night to try and keep the feeling of having to go so much. I remember I use to get upset at my husband anytime he would move in bed, because it would shake me, making me have to run to the bathroom! And even now, if I move from one side to the next it can trigger the feeling of having to go. By the 3 1/2 -4 month out of takedown surgery I really started to see a difference. I'm having mire good days than bad, but when it is bad, its bad! Burning, pain, urgency etc. But it does get better. I am now starting to experiment more with food, in small portions.

Everyone's system is different, this what I eat now.

Eggs
White breads or bagel with butter or strawberry cream cheese.
Baked chicken with Alfredo noodles
Spaghetti noodles with butter NO TOMATOE SAUCE... OUCH!
cooked carrots, green beans, I've eaten cooked broccoli but it irritates my pouch.
Frosted corn flakes
Dannon lite and fit Greek yogurt
Mac and cheese
Banana
Coconut cookies

Yes it seems crazy and never ending. I would recommend you eat what you are craving, but small portions and not a variety at one time. This will allow you to recognize what bothers you. Keep a food journal. It will get better with the frequency feeling every time you move. I'm still learning and of course recovering.

Heidi

Like CT explained, I too experience the spasms.. felt like I was having anal contractions. I took meds recommend by ny GI. It eventually subsided as I mentioned around 3 months. I take pain meds, low dose, Imodium, gas x, anti depression meds, dexilant.

I purchased a heating pad after my surgery. It's been really helpful on days that my tummy hurts. They're fairly inexpensive and it might help relieve some of the pain associated with being bloated!

Changing positions moves the effluent from one part of our pouch to another. When it puts some pressure on the sphinctors, it signals having to go to the toilet. This sort of keeps me sleeping in one position for as long as possible. If I do turn over I do need to visit the bathroom in order to be comfortable. Oh, well!

I try to stay put as well. When I do have to change positions, I try to go very slow. Like I said earlier, I get after my husband, he's bigger than me, so his movements really shake the bed. At first he didn't understand and would get upset, thinking I was just nagging.. but he now knows, I mean it!

Heidi