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Old question for sure - for post j-pouch - number of bowel movements per 24 hours on average

less than 3
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10 or more
Other
Posted by andyw ·

Comments (19)

Newest · Oldest · Popular

Final surgery 27th April 2015.

I was told to expect around 15-20 movements per 24 hrs during the first week or so; in fact it was around 5 or 6 and is now still around 4/5, 6 months later.  To be honest, I rarely get an urgent need to have a bowel m/ment, but just decide that it's probably about time I did!  Usually once during the night, although a glass of red wine helps me sleep through the night!   I don't tend to avoid any particular foods, with perhaps the exception of whole corn kernels or mushrooms.  My diet is varied, although I don't eat meat. I enjoy a wide variety of food, including curries (not extremely hot or spicy versions, though!).

Originally Posted by Spunkycat:
My surgeon said 6-7 times a day and 1 at night was normal, however,  what he didn't say, was that I should expect to spend hours at a time in my bathroom. I always would go when I  had to pee...so if I were going out, I'd make sure to pee before I left the house to prevent that.  Besides that, most bathroom trips always took at least 1 hour, usually much longer since I'd feel like I wasn't empty.  Because of my obsession with hygiene issues caused by my pouch, I'd use only quality toilet paper (so my fingers wouldn't go thru it when I wet it under the faucet next to the toilet—it became a 15–30-minute ritual!, costing approximately $30/mo.  By sitting longer I'd avoid going thru the whole ritual-thing again  NOW, however, my life has changed drastically!  I no longer have that ritual thanks to another poster who recommended getting a Bidet.  After researching everything I could find about bidets...finding bidet attachments...they fit underneath the toilet seat and are easily installed...have options to choose from...and affordable (mine was $79), BUT be sure to read all the reviews...some are cheaply made or the instructions are impossible to read.  Mine has changed my life.  AND, Nortriptyline (it has various uses)—recently prescribed by my shrink when I  mentioned my pouch to him. He said I should have told him sooner because a few of his patients have pouches also and have seen DRASTIC results and changes.  I've been on it a few months and had immediate results...the biggest being I now have only 1 go once a day and once just before getting in bed.  There are others too but unfortunately I have to go for now but please ask me for more info.

Warm shower utilizing a hand held sprayer works like a charm like a bidet but without the cold water.  Set the hand held to "Stun" also clears the pouch nicely as well.

 

So does Nortriptyline actually slow your gut down?

Originally Posted by KamJ:
My GP told me any more than 6-8 trips in 24hrs, I am boarder line to becoming dehydrated. So I any where from 2-4 times a day. Depending on my day could be 2 times

I have been 8-10 trips for 24 hours for the last twenty years, I've always wondered about dehydration, I don't think I drink any more liquids than before either.  When I exercise I increase water to avoid cramps etc, but not any more than before surgery.

My surgeon said 6-7 times a day and 1 at night was normal, however,  what he didn't say, was that I should expect to spend hours at a time in my bathroom. I always would go when I  had to pee...so if I were going out, I'd make sure to pee before I left the house to prevent that.  Besides that, most bathroom trips always took at least 1 hour, usually much longer since I'd feel like I wasn't empty.  Because of my obsession with hygiene issues caused by my pouch, I'd use only quality toilet paper (so my fingers wouldn't go thru it when I wet it under the faucet next to the toilet—it became a 15–30-minute ritual!, costing approximately $30/mo.  By sitting longer I'd avoid going thru the whole ritual-thing again  NOW, however, my life has changed drastically!  I no longer have that ritual thanks to another poster who recommended getting a Bidet.  After researching everything I could find about bidets...finding bidet attachments...they fit underneath the toilet seat and are easily installed...have options to choose from...and affordable (mine was $79), BUT be sure to read all the reviews...some are cheaply made or the instructions are impossible to read.  Mine has changed my life.  AND, Nortriptyline (it has various uses)—recently prescribed by my shrink when I  mentioned my pouch to him. He said I should have told him sooner because a few of his patients have pouches also and have seen DRASTIC results and changes.  I've been on it a few months and had immediate results...the biggest being I now have only 1 go once a day and once just before getting in bed.  There are others too but unfortunately I have to go for now but please ask me for more info.

I had my surgery 12 years ago. It's been a roller coaster ride of ups and downs but have never had a really low bowel movement capacity. I still get up at least twice a night. I also had a 'VY flap' done last year to help with a Fischer problem but ended up with my sphincter muscle being damaged which has resulted in an incontinence problem which I never had before. To top it off I am now experiencing an incontinence problem every time I need to urinate which has increased the amount of times I need to go to the toilet on a daily basis. 

I had my takedown surgery nine years ago. The first year was definitely the hardest. Sticking with a natural/organic diet and cutting back on processed foods keeps my bowel movements down to 2-3 times a day. Unfortunately, I can't eat carrots and mushrooms because they make me bloated and gassy.

I used to take immodium, that helped alot. The first few years I had to take a ridiculous amount like 10 immodium pills a day.

 

One day I just stopped needing it and so now I take absolutely no medication of any kind. Although I feel I could probably use some kind of supplements.

 

The frequency that I go to the bathroom completely depends on my eating habits. I eat anything = go the bathroom within the next half hour. So I learned that snacking turns into a nightmare, so I only eat at meal times.

 

If I skip a meal my intestines will still kick into gear at the tail end of meal time, I suppose out of habit.

 

It's been 12 years now since the operation. I still need to get up at least once in the night to go to bathroom, like at around 3:00 am.

 

The other thing to note is that I don't actually have to go the bathroom so much, I can hold it if I have to. I've realised that I probably should try to hold it in more so that the pouch actually has time to absorb more instead of going the bathroom as soon as I feel pressure. If need be I can hold it 1 to 2 hours after first impression that I have to go, but it's uncomfortable.

 

Also the quantity of food eaten makes a huge difference. The less I eat the less I have to go to the bathroom. So I try to only eat resonable amounts. If one day I feel like pigging out, I just have to accept the fact that I'll end up in the bathroom alot more.

 

Also I've noticed that I go the bathroom in series. Coming up with a number of times a day is kind of not the way I count it. For example, after I wake up in the morning I will go to the bathroom like 3 times in the first half hour. I consider that one bowel movement because I don't want to spend my time waiting on the toilet.

I was told by my Surgeon that I would need to take Metamucil 3 times a day for the rest of my life to help regulate my stool. My Surgeon also was going to write me a lifetime of Lomotil prescriptions.

 
I have been off Metamucil for 2 years now and feeling fantastic! My secret is a high quality milled Chia seed product called "MILA". Chia seeds are prized for their ability to provide sustainable energy and have been a food staple in both the Mayan and Aztec cultures, along with native tribes of North America. In fact, chia is the ancient Mayan word for strength. 
 
My wife and began taking this together as a part of many other supplements on a daily regimen, I had great results in 2 days and have never looked back. In fact we signed up to be business owners of the company because we loved how it made us feel so much!
 
Genesis PURE™ Mila® is a super food that is gluten-free, trans-fat free, sugar-free, and is a superior plant-based source of protein and fiber. Mila uses different varieties of the chia seed to provide a wide array of nutrients. By combining these crops, you get a nutritionally robust product.
 
Mila also helps meet the fiber needs of your family. The fiber found in Mila is predominantly insoluble fiber, a form of fiber that aids in the relief of occasional constipation.
 
Please visit our site at genesispure.com/teambucher for more information, you will find "MILA" on the products page.

Mine has changed a lot since surgery 6 years ago. At first I was going 10+ times per day.  Now it's more like 6-7, but it varies tremendously.  Fried foods, caffeine, getting my period, times of high stress or if I don't stay on a good probiotic - all make the stools more frequent.  If I know I'm going to be flying, especially to airports I am unfamiliar with, I will limit what I eat and try to stay away from soda. 

I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one that feels they have to go everytime I go to the bathroom....I also agree that it depends on the length of time from your takedown.  I had mine 3 years ago and I would say on the average 7-8 times a day.  Some days better and some days worse.  I also do not have to get up more than once a night and if I'm lucky I can even go through the entire night without getting up.

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