Frequent trips to the bathroom

I think this is very normal. In fact, for about a week after my take down and being discharged from the hospital, I wore adult diapers. It will decrease in time, but he will still find he has days with increased frequency.
I had my surgery in 2008, and haven't had a solid, uninterrupted nights sleep since then. Even if I take Imodium, I still wake up a couple times to use the bathroom

Seems absolutely normal. Let him know it will slow down with time and also making the right diet adjustments. What does he eat and when is his last meal? Is he taking anything to slow things down such as immodium or Dr prescribed Lomotil? He might also be subconsciously thinking when he's sleeping that he is going to make a mess in bed which causes him to wake often as a sense of security. Is he passing stool everytime he get up at night? Does he seem to have a lot of gas? If you could answers these questions we will be able to customer fit our answers to his situation. In the meantime I wouldn't have him worrying because that many trips is normal and a lot of people have more. Stress and worrying could lead to more bowel movements also due to the nervous system being over stimulated.

Thanks so much for your responses, we appreciate it!
After his surgery his bowels were slow to wake up, had a partial blockage and he had to have the ng tube for 5 days. After being released from the hospital he had a hard time eating anything without getting blocked, so he's been taking it slow with food. Oatmeal really seemed to bring things to a stand still, causing much pain and discomfort, but he tried just a small amount again today in hopes of slowing his bowels down a little. This is what he had today... Breakfast: Special K w/dried Strawberries and a cut up banana, Lunch: Sandwich with almond butter and jelly, Applesauce, Dinner: baked potato, 1/2 cup of oatmeal ... In between snacks: crackers, cheese, etc. He's trying to eat his last meal before 6 pm. He has had problems with dehydration in the past too, so he's drinking at least 64 ozs a day, which he thinks might be adding to his runny bms. Yes, he passes stool (sometimes watery, sometimes quite thick) each time followed by gas. Generally he does have quite a bit of gas. He hasn't used immodium since his take down, he did use Metamucil once which helped him get a couple hours of sleep, but the next day he got blocked up again. We didn't know if it was due to the Metamucil or what he ate, he'd like to see if he can gain more control through the food he eats. He's going to start keeping a better log of his diet and how it relates to bms, gas and sleep. I think you're right on the money with your comment regarding stress and worry... there's a lot to be said about that. Easier said than done, I know. He's beginning to second guess his decision of having the surgery... I believe in the long run he'll be happy he did and will be much better off than living with UC... he believes that too but can't help but worry. Thank you both so much for your input and reassurance, we appreciate it!

I believe we all second guess our decision with this surgery due to the uncomfortable tough times that we go through but he's got to take a couple deep breaths and realize he got this surgery for a reason and with time he will be happy that he made the right decision. If he is having problems with a blockage he should probably stay away from foods that will bind him up. Oatmeal, potatoes, bananas are going to be foods that slow down his gut so if he's having problems with blockages than I would steer clear of those things. Grape Juice will keep things moving along also the Metemucil with a hood amount of fluid will help. Gas pressure is one of the worst experiences so avoid any foods that produce a lot of gas. I would have him lay off dairy for a couple days to see if the gas subsides. There is also Beano and Gas X that work really well. I would definitely document his foods and what it does to him. Right now he should take it easy and stick to things that he knows isn't causing issues and then introduce one thing at a time. This will give him a better idea how to create his diet. Some people that are unable to eat certain foods early in their recovery can introduce them later on when the pouch matures because they might able to tolerate them down the road. He might be too early to start experimenting. If he is able to walk that is an excellent thing for his recovery. Is he able to pass gas or hasn't he tried yet? I also suggest a nice warm bath with Epsom salt it relaxes me and also soothes the pain and discomfort that I have down there. This would be especially good if he's blocked up and feeling a lot of pressure. Its good that he stops eating earlier and might want to get a prescription for Lomitil to take before bed so he doesn't have to take trips to the bathroom all throughout the night.

I was in hell around the 2 week mark and he's probably at the worst right now! I was going 16 times a day and the same at night with hoping for even 3 hours of sleep in a row! It does get better! I'm maybe not as useful as the expierenced pouchers but I'm 8 weeks post op now and I only go about 5 times during the day and maybe 3 at night, twice if igotto bed a little later! About week 5 is when something snapped in me and I tried my best to hold it in though it was uncomfortable inwas determined to control this damn pouch an that day instead of 16 times I managed to only go about 8!

I still don't feel comfortable going out in public unless its afternoon because I can control my pouch better but I can see I'm making progress and I'm in 100% better place that I was at week 2/3/4 ! I also don't take any medication and control it all with diet! Marshmallows and jelly sweets are good for stodging you up!

Don't worry it definatly gets better just Unfortunatly not as quick as we all want!

The one thing many surgeons fail to tell us with this procedure is to have tons of patience. I do remember my surgeon telling me that the first few weeks would be "crazy". (His exact words) It does all calm down but I when you are in the thick of it, it seems to never end!

Tell him not to worry...this is all part of the healing process. The body needs to adjust to its new plumbing and it doesn't happen over night for most people. Since he sounds like he's prone to getting backed up, Imodium may not be a good idea right now. Does he have a follow up appt. with his surgeon coming up? I would make notes of everything he's feeling and make sure you communicate with his dr.

This will all soon be a distant memory!

Excellent information! It is so comforting to hear advice and encouragement from all of you who know and understand what he's going through.
Regarding dairy, he was avoiding it prior to his surgery but has been eating/drinking it recently... he'll go back to Almond Milk to see if that helps. He does seem to have quite a bit of gas and has only passed it while being on the toilet. As for a follow up with his surgeon, he went out of state for surgery so we've been in contact by phone with his surgeon when questions or problems come up and actual follow ups have been with our family doctor.
This site has been a real God send!
Thanks for being there for us!
Della & Jim

a great way to get rid of gas if he is willing to try it (i know i was scared at first) is to lay on his side, left or right whatever is comfortable..sometimes i will even use my hand to part my cheeks a little, its a relief (and unfortunately can only be done at home, might look a little funny if someone walked in my office and some me on the floor doing that...) another great way is when i am on the throne if i leaned back, even arch my back a bit idk if its the position things are in but suddenly gas is able to move out..with a quickness.

I just ate quite a few strawberries cut in quarters, did it to see if they caused me gas from last night,..its all trial and error with food things, unfortunatley for me i like to learn the hard way and have multiple new food items in a day so then the next time i have to try each food a second time to see if that did it...it was either the strawberries or tomato soup...I'm leaning towards the tomato soup seeing as how ketchup seemed to give me gas..wonder if it still does...