Posted 7/28/2008 3:54 AM (GMT 0)
Alright, so...
summerstorm: From what I've read of others, BB is when you eat certain foods that cause your stool to liquify and the acid from your stomach and bile irritate and inflame the skin around and just inside of the anus. In my experience, it does occur when I eat certain foods, (often with a higher acidity than other foods, such as vinegar) however so far all my BB encounters have been with solid stool. Or as close as I can get to solid stool. So it seems to me that its just a matter of how acidic your diet is. It can be extremely painful and you usually have to use some sort of topical cream to reduce the intensity (notice how I didn't say eliminate) the burning sensation. I hope this goes away over time, opinions seem to vary on that.
sfgiantsjo: Congratulations! I hope everything goes smoothly! I would say the best thing to bring is some extra soft tp like Downy or Charmin Blue with you to the hospital...also, some alcohol free toilet disposable wipes...these will be invaluable in the weeks to come. The hospital may provide some cream to help prevent BB, but in case they don't I've heard calmoseptine works wonders (you ask for it at the pharmacy counter). I also brought along some gas-x and immodium but the nurse told me to keep it out of sight as the hospital likes to keep everyone on their own stuff. But, these are things to keep around the house when you return. As for the surgery itself if the first surgery was rough, as it was for me, then this one should seem much easier. I was out in 3 and half days, including the day of surgery. The x-ray before the surgery was a little weird and slightly painful (I had cramp-like feelings when the contrast fluid made its way through my unused section of small intestine, and it was weird to have lots of fluid gushing out into my bag). They put me on a table that tilted, and I had to turn on opposite sides so that they could make sure there were no leaks in the jpouch.
Indabag: As of yet I am only restricting myself from things that contain vinegar (learned this the hard way), as it gives me the aforementioned BB. I have noticed that, as with a colon, things like bread and pasta give me more solid results as compared to soups, meats, etc. However I am only a week and a half out from the reversal so maybe that will change. I do take gas-x and immodium at night to keep me from making excessive trips.
OHIO76, and to everyone else, thanks for the congratulations! I look forward to rejoining the workforce and feeling like I have a purpose yet again.