having the reversal

You will do fine. This is happy surgery as compare to the previous one(s), so feel good about it. It's very important to have good thoughts and expect a positive outcome. Search for tips on how to be prepared for the takedown. Also know that everyone is different and reacts differently after take-down. This is one surgery where nurses and doctors often smile and congratulate the patients to finally get rid of the bag.

I wish you all the best and feel free to PM if you have any specific questions.

Stay positive. Stay strong.

Best Wishes!

Thank you for replying. I am reading other stuff on here and I am
freaking out. I am excited to get the bag off but still nervous of the outcome. How long ago did you go through this? If you don't mind
me asking.

Rae

Yes, indeed, we all felt excited and nervous for take down. Note that most people do just fine and you never see their postings since they have no issues to get advise on. Mine was 3 years ago.

Hi, I wish you the best. I had my surgery 8/2011 & takedown 10/2011. Finally living a "normal" life after struggling with UC for nearly 17years! I love my jpouch- its my "new normal". We manage to get along great over the past 3years always a learning curve here & there but nothing that cannot be handled. The jpouch for me is so much better than UC. No pain and no meds!

When is your surgery? Good luck to you!! Tips I found the most useful:
1. Always use wet wipes instead of toilet paper (Cottonelle, Baby Wipes, etc.)
2. Use protective ointment to completely cover anus and surrounding skin after every BM (Aloe Vesta, Calmoseptine, Desitin, etc.)
3. Don't overeat. Eat only small amounts at a time and don't eat 3-4 hours before bedtime in order to limit night BM's.

Feel free to message anytime.
Wishing you the best,
Wendy

I had the same question before reversal.
For me, statistics helped a lot in the acquiring of good thoughts and faith: remember always that 95 of pouchers questioned, said they will do the surgery again and are much satisfied with the results. For sure, you have to manage the pouch, the pouch is delicate and you will have to treat it well, but, you have 95% of possibilities you will be very happy!

I notice you're from the Bronx. I had my surgeries in NY too. which hospital are you going to?

I had my j-pouch surgery and take down in November of last year. For the first 2 weeks after the surgery I experienced some complications and wished that I had my ostomy back. My bowels stopped working and I was on TPN with a PICC line and an NG tube. Once my bowels woke up I was a very happy camper indeed. I have not looked back. I LOVE my j-pouch. I am back working full-time as an RN in paediatric critical care and living life to the fullest. My bottom was extremely sore and burning for the first few months. I used liberal amounts of bum cream and that helped immensely. I found that the menthol in the Calmoseptine was very irritating and that just plain zinc cream was better for me. I always used moist towelettes to wipe as toilet paper was very harsh. Now I use toilet paper all the time except when things get a bit irritated...irritation has everything to do with what I eat. I have learned to stay away from oranges and tomatoes. It was a steep learning curve to convince myself to drink more. I found that I was quite dizzy and dehydrated a lot. Now, I know that I have to drink about 2 litres of water a day and that makes me feel terrific.
I am so glad that I had this surgery done.

If you folks would be so kind as to read my posts in "Having Lots of Trouble," I'd really appreciate it. I don't want to scare this person having their takedown (though, I'm sure they've had it by now), but I'm a little over 3 months post-op and struggling quite a bit.

I do not wish I had my bag back at all, but I am feeling pretty discouraged about my outcome.

Any and all advice would be great. One person replied to me with useful tips that I'm already trying, but I'd love to read others' experiences and suggestions.

Thanks, everyone! I'm happy most of you are doing well

I am so sorry... as you can see, it's been over a year since I last signed in.  Anyway, I've been having my surgeries at Mt. Sinai.  Where did you have yours?  Have you been doing well?