20 days ago I had the reversal.
crossing fingers, evrything seems very good (more than I have expected) so far; absolutely no urgence, very sporadic nocturnal bowel movements, absolutely no leakages.
And I'm getting to know the pouch.
During the 24 hours I have times to times some cramps. I think this would be a sign I could empty the pouch, for sure a cramp (which, I suppose is located where the anastomosis was done) is a sign that something is filling the pouch. So I could go straight to empty. The fact is I have no urgence to do this (after 12 years of continuous colitis this is a bit strange for me) so I retain and after some seconds I don't feel nothing disturbing, just the sensation that I could empty if I would.
The decision I could have taken about it are two: go straight emptying, or retaining. I have a doubt about what should be the better solution.
Retaining I have the sensation it could be a "training" for my pouch (and the last part of remaining small intestine), to get the habit to absorb better liquid and retaining. So that it can normalize itself as a new colon.
On the other hand, emptying would keep the system cleaner, and I'm a bit concerned because I'm so happy with this new condition I would never want to take the risk to get inflammation, pouchitis, or worst Crohn's...
Retaining I'm having two bm's in 24 hours which is absoultely awesome but i'm quite sure that this would increase to 3 or 6 if I get the habit to empty everytime I feel some cramp or so.
What would you advise experienced pouchers?
Original Post