I had a Total Proctocolectomy with J-Pouch surgery on 11-30-16, The expected recovery was 5-7 days. I ended up in the hospital for 15 days. The surgery itself went well but the problem was with the Jpouch itself. The pouch startred bleeding and ended up bursting and caused an infection in my abdoman. My surgeon had to go back and do an emergency surgery to fix the JPouch and stop the bleeding. The infection really did a number on me. There was about three days in there I don't really remember because I was out of it. My blood pressure was very low and the Doctors were worried, they put me on IV antibiotics every eight hours and fluids, I went eleven days without eating and I lost thirty pounds through the whole thing.
I have been home now about a week and am doing much better. The JP drain (stomach tube) that they put in me while I was in the hospital, I have to live with for the next few months. Which is somewhat difficult to live around (especially while trying to take a shower) but needed to completely drain all of the fluid that is in my abdoman. I have a temporary ostomy (colostomy bag) for the next six months. Living with a colostoy bag really isn't that bad, Not at all what I expected it would be, I am so thankful to be home, Fifteen days in the hospital was painful.
Reply posted for mschonherr.
I totally understand what you're gong through! I had a Koch Pouch about 30 years ago, and my surgery was pretty hellish too. BUT IT DOES GET BETTER!!!! It took me at least a year to fully recover from everything (although I felt amazingly better after just a couple months). Hang in there. Hopefully, they'll get your infection under control. Good luck!!!!
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