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Hello All:

I am a 72 year old male.  I have a J-Pouch (which was formed about one month ago) along with an accompanying ileostomy.  On Monday I go see my surgeon to determine the date he will close the ileostomy.  I have a list of questions to ask but I thought I would ask those of you out there with J-Pouches, who have been through this procedure, what questions you would ask the surgeon.

The one thing I am most concerned about is watery stool and incontinence.  My stool is very watery at night, even after taking Imodium, and I am concerned after closing the ileostomy I will be incontinent during the night.

This forum has been great for me and I look forward to hearing from any of you.

Nick

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I'm somewhat younger than yourself and during my time with the temp loop ileostomy I had the same concerns; I think I took up to 6 Imodium per day which appears to make little difference.

Since takedown, my output has been completely different, although loose, acidic and sometimes pure liquid initially; more often than not, it's of a much thicker consistency.

4 year since takedown, I rarely take the Imodium although I should and my output is loose, it's still hell of a lot thicker than what it was with the loop illestomy.

No bed time accidents or toilet visits either other than to pee, although I do have episode of leakage during the day, sometimes heavy.

I think any issues in regard to incontenience, will more than likely be associated with age rather than the J pouch.

Last edited by Former Member

I had my reversal 5 years ago.  I wore briefs to bed for a few months as my body took some time to learn that I could not pass gas without passing a small amount of stool as well.  I was never grossly incontinent post-op.  I used to set my alarm to get up at least once a night to empty my j pouch.  I fell right back to sleep afterwards.  Now, if I need to go at night my body wakes itself up.  I am over the moon happy with my pouch function.  I hope you have the same success with yours.

PS. The butt burn is the worst.  Stock up on wipes, a sitz bath, and good zinc barrier cream.

I've never endured the butt burn, although I did experience skin errosion around my stoma, which was alleviated by the application of ilex paste, which can also be applied to treat and prevent butt burn.

I often say, it's best to have the ilex paste and not need it, than need it and not have it.

Before discovering the ilex paste, I tried evey product available and nothing worked, only the ilex.

Last edited by Former Member

All:

Thank you for the feedback.  I had an appointment with my surgeon and he is going to do the reversal on Feb 8th. 

However he is scheduling me for a Fluoroscopy Barium Enema and then an Endoscopy before my surgery to make sure the J-Pouch is not leaking and healed properly.

I was wondering if any of you went through the same procedures before your reversal.

Nick

Hi Nick,

I have had my J-pouch since 1987-88. The first time my doctor tried to reverse from the bag to my pouch...I had to wait a few more months. ( I was actually put under as if the sergery was going to take place! I remember it was awful for me to wake up, alone and find I still had my bag!) I went through a series of exercises (fun!) The second surgery went just fine. Not too many problems at night. My body wakes itself up. ( Most of the time.) When I am at companies homes...I will wear a pad and underwear. Oh yes Nick, I will be 68 in June. So we are a bit close in age! Oh yes, I take psyllium seed powder 3 times a day and at least 6 Imodium.

Do take good care! 

Yeah, I had tha barium enema and also contrast dye imaging prior to takedown.

   I was apprehensive prior to the enema yet that was the easiest of both procedures and nothing to it.

With the contrast dye imaging, I had to drink maybe a litre of some kind of clear fluid, which wasn't really a problem, just awkward drinking so much within a short period of time.

Last edited by Former Member

I had the barium enema with contrast but didn’t have to drink anything.  It was pretty easy from what I remember.  I did not have the endoscopy with mine.

 For me,there was definitely butt burn after takedown. I was fine with Calmoseptine and got a bidet as well.  I invested in a sitz bath and used it a few times.  The butt burn subsided after a while and haven’t had any issues with it for a while.  I had my surgeries in three steps and takedown just before I turned 62. It’s been almost 3 1/2 years and things are going well.  Good luck!

Yeah, the CT scan/Contrast Dye procrdure, which was a separate procedure to the barium enema, was instead of an Endoscopy; infact, during the entire procedure, from admitance, j pouch creation and takedown, I never had an endoscopy once; unless it was performed whilst I was sedated during surgery.

Hope your take down goes well!

I also had the enema to verify nothing was leaking before the takedown surgery. I can't think of any questions to follow up with your surgeon.

I don't remember when I started practicing kegel exercises, but you might consider that at some point to help regain "muscle tone" down there.

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