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My ileostomy take-down is in a little over a week.  I had my colon removed in January and then they attempted to do the take-down in March.  There was a leak in the j-pouch, so they had to reverse it and put the stoma on the other side.  The new stoma is closer to my stomach so I lost a lot of fluid and am on an IV for three liters a day--but my doctor says since this one is closer to my stomach I have more intestine under my stoma.  I'm really nervous about the surgery already, since it's already gone wrong once, but now I'm reading about incontinence and possible infections.  I know this could happen with any surgery but I was just looking up the mortality rate and then I got into some morbid fascination with what could go wrong or what is likely to happen afterward.  My doctor told me I'd be stooling 5-6 times a day but I read it could be up to 8-10 times a day, or diarrhea for a month or two afterward.  I'm twenty-two and I've been healthier obviously but considering all my body has been through this year I'm relatively healthy, can anyone tell me what kind of outcome to expect?  I just don't trust my doctor too much anymore and I don't think I'll sleep until I know just how often I should expect to poop my pants.

Terrified for the Take-downMy 8 yr old granddaughter just went thru 13 hour surgery to remove colon from UC. After about a week she was feeling GREAT!! She suffered for 1 1/2 years, trying all kind of meds, up to 17 meds a day. My son finally said enough is enough and opted for the surgery. It was the best decision he has ever made. She goes in Feb. for the 2nd part of the operation. We are hoping this goes just as well. After seeing the before and after I know they did the right thing. I would go to a Hospital in Boston or to Boston for the best of the best docs.

 Reply posted for hey2308.

Well, best wishes to you on December 3rd!

After your takedown, and a little time has passed, I hope you can enjoy salads again.

According to my surgeon, you can eat anything you want as long as it doesn't bother you or as long a you are willing to tolerate the side effects.

:)

 Reply posted for Ang300.

Thank you for responding to my post!  Unfortunately this got pushed back to December 3rd because I had a pulmonary embolism three days before my surgery and needed to start blood thinners, which you cannot be on for surgery.  Also to be clear about salads, I love them too--but can't eat lettuce with the ileostomy.

 Reply posted for hey2308.

I've been thinking about you...wondering how your takedown went and how you are feeling. 

Angie

 Reply posted for hey2308.

mdhilton's blog is great!  It's what helped me have an idea of what to expect before I had my surgeries this summer.

The blog has lots of information!  Definitely check it out!

 Reply posted for trackstar7.

Hey,

I think everyone gets nervous before takedown, I know I was.  I even wondered if I should just stay with the ileo and move on with the my life worried my jpouch wouldn't work or make me sick again.  Well, I am 2 years of living with my jpouch and happy and healthy.  I did have a few small issues but nothing to make this not worth it. I love my life with my jpouch and have zero regrets.

Below is my jpouch surgery journal blog, it may help ease some of your concerns: http://www.jpouch.net/photos/surgery-3-jpouch-or-takedown-surgery/

And here is my 1 year update documenting how I was healing, # of BMs, food, etc..  http://www.jpouch.net/2008/08/08/mark-9-month-jpouch-update/#comment-5610

Try to be excited about this surgery b/c if all goes well, you will be back to living a wonderful healthy life.

Mark

 Reply posted for targetprincess.

Interesting that you avoid salads.  I eat one every day!  But I know diet is different for everyone.

I would not be able to live if I couldn't have my salads.  :)

 Reply posted for hey2308.

hi!  i am 36 years old and had my ileoanal pullthrough in may of this year.  my ileostomy reversal was in july.  now it is october and i love my life again!

immediately following my reversal, my lower gi had some difficulty "waking up" and functioning again.  i vomited for a few days and life was living *** .  i was checked in the hospital for possible obstructions and torsions, but had none of those...just a slow-recovery bowel.  after a few days my bowels started working properly.

now i regularly take immodium to firm up stool, but i've found that over time, i have to take less and less of it.  i am finding that with time, my stools are less frequent, too.  i started with six immodium per day, now i take two to four depending on what i have eaten during the day.

i did experience some incontinence after surgery, but that went away after a day or two and only happened while i was sleeping.  initially this created great anxiety for me but over time i realized i was no longer having incontinence issues and my fears waned.

after surgery, i also experienced itchy anal tissue.  as time has been passing, the itching is becoming less intense and less frequent.  i've spoken with numerous doctors regarding the itching and apparently my case is unususal.

i have found acidic foods exacerbate the itching, so i avoid tomatoes, tomato-based products, and vinagarette dressings.  small price to pay, in my opinion.

i am very happy with the outcome of my surgery.  when i have to use the restroom, the feeling is normal.  i no longer have to rush to the bathroom like i did when i had uc.  i can resume my very active lifestyle and am enjoying every minute of it.  :)

 Reply posted for trackstar7.

I had the first surgary 09/12/08 and the take down 03/10/09. It gets better as time goes on. Now here 6 mths after I have days that I go 6/8 and others were a go I less. I know 6/8 seems like alot I thought that too when the dr first said a good day is 6/8. But it really is not that bad. I wish you luck. Let me know if you have more questions. 

 Reply posted for targetprincess.

How long have you had the j pouch? how long did it take for your body to get used to it.

 Reply posted for trackstar7.

Hi there I too have a J-pouch and had my take down in March. I wont lie at first yes you go will more than you would like. It will have you thinking man is this better than it was before the J-pouch. Trust me with time it does get better. You have to allow your J-pouch time to adjust and your body. Here are some helpful tips.

1. get wet wipes toilet paper is your enemy

2. get some kind of diaper rash cream and use it it helps ALOT

3. use pads like Poise pads then are thin enough that don't bother you and they help having to wash underwear. and go to their website for samples and coupons

4. avoid salad it is way to rough

5. I found taking an Imodium before bed keeps from from running to the restroom during the night.

well I hope this helps if you have more questions e-mail me targetprincess77082.yahoo.com

 Reply posted for hey2308.

I too am having my take down in 12 days if there are no leaks in my j pouch on the 20th I have to get an emema done to make sure there are no leaks and if there are none then my surgery is going to be on the 26th I am so scared and so excited at the same time. I too have been reading about what to expect after surgery and what i have been hearing is not so reassuring I have been asking what to expect too but am not getting many answers. It is scary cause I swear the doctor leaves all of the crap after the second surgery out so you don't have second thoughts about having  it done. I know how you feel i am only 25 and am wondering how many times i will poop my pants or bed that has been really bothering me lately. I really hope you second attempt at the take down goes well!! Good luck!!!