While it’s possible to have an accident with a J-pouch it just isn’t common when the pouch is healthy. I never had an accident after my surgery, at least until pouchitis crept in.

The nuts, etc. can cause problems with a loop ileostomy. Most J-pouchers can deal with them just fine once the surgeries are all done.

I never had any control issues. Sometimes I had leakage, but never a full accident. I wore a pad every day in case of any leaks. I had extra pads and wipes in my purse so I could easily clean up after a leak. I did have nighttime incontinence but that problem was solved by taking 2 Imodium before bed. Congratulations on your upcoming surgery! I also had a tough time after the first surgery and I was so excited for take down.

Good luck with your takedown.  I will say I had one incident of major leakage the first night I came home from the hospital but nothing like that since then.  Work on your scpinter muscles by doing kegels to prepare yourself.  Control has not been an issue for me, just a little occasional leakage from time to time.

@Scott F posted:

While it’s possible to have an accident with a J-pouch it just isn’t common when the pouch is healthy. I never had an accident after my surgery, at least until pouchitis crept in.

The nuts, etc. can cause problems with a loop ileostomy. Most J-pouchers can deal with them just fine once the surgeries are all done.

Thanks, Scott. Good to hear because I miss fruits, veggies, and nuts! LOL

Thanks Kangaroo. I might use Depends until I get a decent control. Will take your advice about wipes, etc...

Thanks, CTB23, I will start doing the kegels right away.

Someone on this board said that I would be glad to get rid of my diseased intestine before my 1st surgery, however, the diseased intestine was a picnic compared to using the bag. The S.O.B opened up on me 5 TIMES, once while sleeping. Thank God it was on the couch and on a pillow I was using for comfort. Only a small amount hit the couch itself....LOL 

In 28 years with a J Pouch the only time I had problem with incontinence or leakage was when I had uncontrolled pouchitis. Indeed, nighttime incontinence is a hallmark symptom of pouchitis. I would take antibiotics, and it would stop. As Scott noted above, assuming the pouch is healthy, and you do the kegel exercises necessary to strengthen the anal sphincter, then continence should be 100%.

GOOD LUCK

Had the test to check the pouch for leaks today (they saw no problem). Looking forward to getting rid of the bag! Its opened up on me 5 times!! This time next week I will be at Yale - New Haven hospital......

@Asa Lay posted:

Had the test to check the pouch for leaks today (they saw no problem). Looking forward to getting rid of the bag! Its opened up on me 5 times!! This time next week I will be at Yale - New Haven hospital......

I HATE that test! It hurt like HELL for me almost 6 years ago hahaa, but it was worth it! Did it hurt you??? And I am soo HAPPY for you please check in with us and tell us how you are doing! I love you and I hope you do perfect next week!

Hi Asa

Did you have Morton Burrell do your pouchogram.  He did mine and commented on what an amazing job Dr,  Reddy did, especially around the rectal cuff.  I did not find this test in any way painful.  They just had to use a smaller catheter for me.   Good luck with your takedown!

Hi @Asa Lay ! I’m about 2 weeks in from my takedown and it’s going good but it is an adjustment from having an ileostomy, just in a sense that you’re obviously going to the bathroom again, and having that sensation of bowel movements and going multiple, of not several times day (which is expected). I’m so happy I did this surgery though, and know that everything will get better in time. I don’t feel like I’ll have an accident, I just have this feeling of urgency due to rectal spasms I’m trying to get used to. Again, this will subside with time. I’m excited for you and things will be fine. 

Alyssamarie.....good to hear that you are doing fine after take down. I pray that mine goes as well. Supposedly I have fat deposits in my small intestine that will cause problems with the pouch if it doesn't go away. Thank GOD that the gyms are opening up so I can go work out to help get rid of the "problem"! LOL

Hope your surgery went well!  Speedy recovery!

Go easy on the nuts and seeds at first. They are "insoluble" and will not break down in your gut. They will exit your body looking the same as they went in (recognizable) and because they are hard and have sharp edges (!!) it might hurt coming out, or irritate your new pouch. Even though you could manage nuts, seeds, fruits, etc., before your surgery, your small intestine was only absorbing nutrients and pushing through these foods toward your large intestine (your colon).

Now it will be different because your small intestine is now your j pouch, your new holding unit for all your food waiting to exit. Your small intestine has to learn what to do, and how to live its new life as your j pouch. That's a significant, sensitive job. Give your j pouch soft, soluble foods to start with. After a few months you'll know if your pouch can tolerate insolubles such as nuts, seeds, raw fruit and raw vegetables. My first few months I ate steamed vegetables; no fruit, nothing raw. My j pouch slowly learned how to work, and now I can eat almost anything, including spicy foods, although raw salad and raw veg can cause temporary issues.

If you really want to eat nuts or seeds you could put them in a coffee grinder and grind them up and add it to your oatmeal or Greek yogurt.

Wow good luck. Just be kind with yourself while your pouch adjusts to being your new colon. Honestly, if you just eat a healthy diet and walk, walk, walk, you should be fine. You can add things you might want, such as nuts and fruits back into your diet little by little and see how things go. Let us know how you are doing.

Aimee

@CTB23 posted:

Hi Asa

Did you have Morton Burrell do your pouchogram.  He did mine and commented on what an amazing job Dr,  Reddy did, especially around the rectal cuff.  I did not find this test in any way painful.  They just had to use a smaller catheter for me.   Good luck with your takedown!

No. He did not.