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Reply to "Jpouch recovery"

Hi, Alex. You've come through two really tough, major surgeries and on your way to recovery. Everyone is different, some have more problems along the way, some recover fairly quickly, so take it slowly and know that every day could bring a new issue to address and overcome. My surgery was four years ago and it took me almost a year to really feel strong and resume normal activities. 

The two things that helped me was a plastic bidet bottle with nozzle for keeping the area clean, and to keep ahead of the inevitable Butt Burn. The first few days you won't feel much burn, you might not have any issues, but the increased and acidic frequency of BMs (sometimes 15 a day or more) will bring burning to your anal skin. You might also develop fissures from the frequency. Fissures will feel like you have sharp pieces of glass coming out. It's not unusual, but it's very painful, not trying to scare you, just want you to know what fissures feel like so you're not overwhelmed. Your doctor can give you a prescription for fissure cream. Also, a small sitz basin or the bidet bottle used with very warm water will help heal your skin and soothe the burning. Don't wipe with toilet paper. Use your bidet every time to rinse and clean the area, (carry it with you, or carry unscented baby wipes) then gently dab and pat dry. Apply Zincofax or Calmoseptine if necessary.

A good healthy diet from day one of non processed foods, such as fresh fish (try to avoid frozen and battered in a box) baked chicken, roasted zucchini, peeled, in the first few months, steamed spinach, tofu. I ate one cooked egg per day for the B12 and protein. Lots of protein because your tissues have been really injured and protein is important for healing those tissues. Lots of clear broths, maybe with chicken or soft vegetables (such as spinach) thrown in and simmered to help your hydration. Loss of your colon, which used to absorb and hold water, means you'll need to careful to avoid dehydration every day, for life.

You might need to use Metamucil or Imodium or psyllium to slow down and / or make BMs a bit more solid to prevent leakage. I used Metamucil/ Imodium for a few weeks and was able to stop and rely mainly on food choices. It took awhile but I now eat anything and everything, but I avoid nuts, barley, raw vegetables. Chew everything really well so your pouch receives pulverized food for easy exiting. Your pouch needs time to get used to its new life as your new "colon" so go easy on it and be patient. I hope everything goes well for you.

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