Hi pzzzzs, I turn 65 this month and had step 1 of 3 on an emergent basis in October 2016. Recovery from step 1 was the most difficult for me since I was anemic and had been hospitalized for 6 weeks. My step 2 was 9 months later. I prepared for it by gaining weight and was able to get into the gym for 3 months of strength training prior to surgery. I recovered fairly well but my main complaint was not the temp ileo but rather anal mucus discharge—very annoying, unpredictable and unstoppable. I wore a pad at work. I had high hopes for step 3. Surgery went well but I’ve been plagued with chronic cuffitis and occasional pouchitis. Fortunately I retired in January this year and don’t have the added stress of a workplace environment. I’m on Canasa and just finished a regimen of Cipro, which keeps my BM frequency around 7-8x. Butt burn—or anal pain—was/is a factor for me. Never strain while on the toilet and get a toilet seat bidet.
Diet has a significant effect on my pouch and is a long process of trial and error. Everyone is different though, you just won’t know until you’re past step 3. All in all, I’m still glad I don’t have the unpredictable flares and swings of UC nor a permanent ileostomy.
