I'm one week out from takedown (after a three month wait), and am starting to feel like I'm either a miracle case, or something is really wrong and I just don't know it yet...  I say the "something is really wrong" part in jest, because I would have never imagined things going so well.  Seriously... things are already working like I'm 6-12 months post takedown with no issues...

 

The first three days were really tough (severe stomach cramps with little output) due to what I believe was a partial blockage because I gourged on food after surgery (nobody mentioned that might not be a great idea, and medicated me was starving).... Could also have been that I was taking oxycodone, which blocks you up, which I quickly halted for hydrocodone and Gabapentin.  Today I've only taken medicine once, and tomorrow, fully expect to be off any pain meds.  

 

At this point, I feel like a million dollars.  Eating 4-5 times a day (not all in this order), light proteins, some cooked veggies, eggs for breakfast, cream of wheat, bananas, some cheese, boost 360 shakes for calories, vitamins, and more protein, cup of java in the morning, tortilla wraps, mild guacamole (I could go on and on)... Almost back to my regular diet.... might even have me a bologna and cheese sandwich tomorrow :-)  I'm back to cooking for my family, and life just seems to have picked up where I left off.

 

Going to the bathroom 8-12 times a day, AT WILL.  No overwhelming sense of urgency.  No butt burn.  I can already sense slight bloating in the pouch, or possible gas as a signal of needing to go.  Consistency of stool is as right as I've been told it should be.  I've now slept three nights in a row without having to go to the bathroom.  Ran errands today with the wife, and didn't think twice about it.... Just went before I left (mainly to avoid using a public bathroom if necessary, didn't carry supplies...), and walked around for a couple hours...

 

I have a bunch of VSL3 capsules leftover from UC days, and have been taking one a day.  According to my surgeon, it's one of the best things you can take to help in avoiding pouchitis.  I'm firmly convinced that it is also contributing to such a strong start.  Some mentioned maybe waiting to take it, but good floral bacteria in my pouch is what I want, and obviously it's having no inverse effect..  I can only speculate that it is helping.

 

My surgeon told me to avoid reading some forums due to the fact that people without a lot of issues generally don't spend a lot of time posting on forums.  First reading this forum, I was extremely nervous.  It seemed like EVERYONE had issues.  The same thing my surgeon told me was repeated to me by the lovely admin Jan.  I was going to return today to post a really positive update for others facing this surgery to read, because I believe I need to give back a little hope and reassurance to those going through the procedure.  I'll let this be that post...

 

Biggest pain (not literally) is the hole in my stomach.  I'm impatient and am about ready for it to hurry up and heal, but this will obviously take a while...

 

Best of luck to you, and anyone else facing a takedown.  I know I'm only a week out, but I expect things to just get better and better.  I wish the same for you.

Congrats! Hope all goes well for you. If you don't mind me asking, why has it been 2 years? I have my second surgery in a couple days. Is that how long it takes for the take down to be ok?

Ps thank you your reply was very encouraging I will update post after takedown

Jeff I had 1st surg in 2/13 2nd 11/13 been so long cause I've had a sinus tract in pouch witch is a contained leak so I went in last week and they opened sinus tract up basically good luck with  your next surg I will update post after takedown