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Reply to "When can I work after surgery?"

I was 19 when I had my 1st surgery (colectomy, pouch creation, loop ileostomy). I had spent a month in the hospital prior on TPN and IV steroids, and nothing was putting me right, do surgery it was.

I had 4 months between that and takedown. I'd say by takedown, I was feeling pretty good.

Takedown was in May 1991. I applied and was accepted to nursing school that summer. I started that program in September, so about another 3.5-4 months. I commuted to school, and had no issues acclimating.

I know that's not everyone's experience. Some people will tell you a year. Some even more. I *was* a young woman, otherwise healthy, which may have helped me, and I didn't have the Internet to scare me into what *might* go wrong. I just plundered along and it all worked out.

But realistically speaking I'd say there's a wide range, maybe 3 months to a year is the most common, for folks to feel better.

Also, you will and should continue to see things change as your pouch ages. I'd say even up to 5 years, you might experience changes.

My pouch is 24 years old, and she surprises me periodically by doing things I never thought possible (like constipation!)
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