DONT GET DISCOURAGED - THINGS DO GET BETTER

Well done! Out of interest, how many bowel movements are you having at this stage? And how is your sleep (i.e. is it interrupted with bathroom trips, have you had leakages etc?)

I have my takedown in 11 days and I am getting a bit nervous. I keep hearing the horror stories, so this was great to read. I know most people who are doing well don't come here, but I just want it to be better. A new normal. Is there anything I need to be doing now, preparation or reading? What about work? Anyone get back pretty quickly? Thank you for any thoughts, ideas, advice in advance.

hi Sharon- no real prep before. Just dont get down after the operation. there will be tough moments and maybe not. however if  the are just remember that this was the best solution for you. for example since  i last posted i had 4 bad days but no sweat , all is back in order. hang in there and good luck.

I agree completely with Bederyparis.  My takedown was 15 months ago and things are still improving.  My "new normal" is around 8x per day.  I usually get up 1x during the night, but I've been doing that since menopause anyway so I certainly can't blame that on my J-Pouch!  But it doesn't take me any longer to empty my pouch than it does to pee. 

Sharon, I had my takedown on a Friday afternoon, home Monday and was back to work Tuesday morning (although I work from home).  I was back to Zumba class at 3 weeks and played 18 holes of golf 6 weeks after my takedown (and I only waited that long because the surgeon told me I had to!).  The most uncomfortable part for me was the healing of the stoma site (my surgeon left it open to heal from the outside in).  I was going more frequently in the beginning but as the OP mentioned, it was nothing like 25-30 bloody urgent painful BMs with UC.

Vicki

Sharon W posted:

I have my takedown in 11 days and I am getting a bit nervous. I keep hearing the horror stories, so this was great to read. I know most people who are doing well don't come here, but I just want it to be better. A new normal. Is there anything I need to be doing now, preparation or reading? What about work? Anyone get back pretty quickly? Thank you for any thoughts, ideas, advice in advance.

Get a bidet

I have had my take down suregy 2 months after j pouch construction and I am almost 2 weeks into after take down . My number of BMs are pretty normal . The only problem I have is that I get blood in stool sometimes . Sometimes it's just streaking but I got big drops of bright red blood today which is freaking me out . Also I feel pain in my rectal area and Labias if I walk or stand for more than 10 minutes . It gets better upon sitting . My surgeon and Doctor Doesn't know the reason for it . Did anyone ever feel pressure pain like me and it's been going on since my second surgery .

i dont know what to tell you but your surgeon should.

Vicki, 

So you said you had surgery on Friday and went home Monday.  So what did they use as criteria did use to release you? Pass gas and BMs? And I will have to go back to work outside home. I expect it would take longer than 3 days for that. Should I expect to sleep any? 

Sharon...yes, BMs had to start before they would give me any food at all!  That happened late Saturday evening (about 24-30 hrs after takedown).  I was never on a special diet afterwards.  Except for the first day, I did not sleep any more than normal (very different from the first surgery where I napped almost everyday for a month or more!).  I also never took any prescription pain meds after leaving the hospital (I live alone and didn't want to be loopy!)...just Tylenol and Advil.  Also if you're on pain meds you can't drive.   My job is on a computer so I basically sit.  If you have a more physical job then your time would certainly be longer. 

Update: I had takedown last Thursday. Was in hospital until Sunday. Overdid it yesterday thinking I was superwoman, Just relaxing today. I think it is going pretty well getting up twice a night before the alarm rings to go to the bathroom. I have had some close times but so far been able to hold it except once yesterday. I will keep reading and posting as I progress.