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Hi,

After 4 surgeries and a few complications I finally have a functioning J-pouch, on the 19th december I had takedown surgery.

As expected, I am having a tough time eating a "regular" diet without causing major gas pain and cramping in my gut. Some days its been so bad I cannot even move my head without my intestines going into complete spasm. So I go back to a liquid diet, try eat yoghurt and move up again to simple food like white bread, white pasta, a little cheese, milk. The problem is I don't feel like I am getting enough calories into my body to have the energy to move around very much, the only reason I am posting today is because I am having a good day, I've been able to eat a little more and am back on solid foods, but any suggestion on how to increase my nutrition/calories without having a dramatic effect on my new pouch would be welcome.

Another thing I have noticed is I have a very strange feeling in my abdomen, almost like the butterflies you feel when you are very nervous about something. Sometimes it is accompanied with a sinking feeling that runs right through from my lower ribs to the bottom of my abdomen, I am finding it very strange and uncomfortable. Has anybody else experienced this?

I am not needing to take any loperamide as eating seems to make my output thick enough, and I am not on any other medication.

Any advice for a new J-poucher would be welcome.

Thanks
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The strange feelings you are experiencing in your belly are normal right after takedown. Basically they are spasms and this will subside over time. I had that for a few weeks then it stopped. I remember how annoying they felt!

The diet thing for me was a little tricky for about a month. I stuck to very bland foods: grilled chicken, mashed potato, rice, yogurt, bagels and pasta (no tomato sauce). After a short while I just felt better and I felt I could be more adventurous with food. I had a cheeseburger and fries and I remember thinking I was doomed but I was totally fine. That was about a month post takedown.

You are very early on in your recovery. It gets a lot easier but don't count on feeling better in days but more like weeks. You will be eating all your favorite things again before you know it. Smiler
Thanks for the suggestions, i've never had any problems with milk causing gas and i'm drinking it now with no issue Smiler

Unfortunately I hate peanutbutter, even the smell of it is enough to make me want to throw up haha. Any other suggestions?

Also, as I have an open wound where my stoma used to be, how long into/after the healing process is it safe to do heavy exercise with minimal risk of herniation or damage to my insides?
I had my j-pouch surgery in November and am still getting used to it.
I take ENSURE to increase the number of calories I am getting without having digestive issues. I purchase the cans and put them in the freezer. When you pull one out it is like eating ice-cream. I cannot tolerate the liquid Ensure even if it is cold but frozen…yum yum.
I sometimes get that "sinking feeling" in the pit of my stomach when I empty my pouch. I feel like I am going to have massive diarrhea and pee all over the place but that never happens. I guess the nerves in my gut don't quit know how to send the right message. I just stay put on the toilet until the whole thing settles down.
I LOVE having my j-pouch and am so glad I decided to go through with this surgery.
thanks jay, thats a good idea i cant stand those ensure drinks either! damn!
have you had any luck exercising yet? Usually after 6 weeks or so after surgery I am back on my feet, eating well and playing basketball but right now im cant see how that will be possible since im struggling to walk around without discomfort in my pouch.
I'm not particularly disappointed and i'm glad to get rid of the bags and hassle that comes with having an ileostomy, but its good to hear some sort of positive reinforcement for these things.

Thanks

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