J-pouch and gas
Sat, March 20, 2010 12:00 AM
I know it's common to have difficulty differentiating between gas and stool after getting the j-pouch, but i am having a lot of gas. Does smoking give you more gas because of swallowing air? It feels like there's a balloon in my pelvic area that "burps" air, my stomach rumbles and is really bloated. It's only been a couple months since my surgery, but how do I more positively effect my recovery so this doesn't happen--or do I just get used to it?
Joined Jul 23, 2008
Tue, March 23, 2010 8:37 PM
Reply posted for hey2308.
I have the same problem - I'm five months post take down/final surgery. I have found so far that the gas gets worse due to: (1) I have pouchitis and need to get on flagyl; (2) pistachio nuts (maybe other nuts too, but not certain yet). So, I suspect when I don't have pouchitis that it is food-related, but I just have to figure out which foods besides pistachios. I've also had folks tell me to stay away from gum and sweets, but haven't determined that those necessarily cause gas (sweets definitely contribute to worsened butt burn though.) Hope this helps.
lemon wifeJoined Mar 16, 2010
Sat, March 20, 2010 7:43 PM
Reply posted for hey2308.
It has been about 5 months since I got my j-pouch and I too have had the same problem with the whole gas thing. I still can't tell the difference between gas and stool so I just go to the bathroom. I actually asked my surgeon if I would ever be able to pass gas without having an accident in my pants. He told me that people like use can pass gas that I guess I need to practice. But seriously I just can't tell the difference between the two so it can be very annoying. My stomach bloats too very annoying. I thought I was the only person with this problem. I just wonder if it gets better with time. The last time I was able to pass gas was the second day I came home from the surgery and it passed on it's own and I was happy cause I thought it would stay that way but that was not the case. That is the one thing that drives me nuts about this surgery because it sucks when I am laying in bed at night and I can't tell whether or not I have to pass gas or go to the bathroom. On the upside My bowel movements are happen less then they did after surgery. I don't think this really helped answering your question but it's nice to know I am not the only person having this problem.
Joined Sep 19, 2009
Sat, March 20, 2010 12:00 AM
Reply posted for hey2308.
I'm not a smoker so I can't speak to whether or not smoking causes more gas because it introduces more air into your system . . . interesting theory though. I have had my jpouch 20 years, though, and I can tell you that when I go (approx. 5 - 6 times/day) it's often as much to pass gas as it is to pass stool. Certain foods definitely cause more gas than others (spinach for me). Like you, I sometimes get those sensations of air/gas bubbles moving around in my abdomen. Thankfully, they never cause the feelings of urgency like the UC did; I just know it's time to plan for a bathroom break at some point in the future. 
I think with time you'll get a feel for what generates more gas versus what doesn't. I know I don't purposely avoid any foods (except for mushrooms), but I do try to be aware of what I'm eating and in what situations. I hope this helps! Kind Regards
Joined Nov 20, 2009
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