All of your concerns were the same as mine when I first when for this. However my stoma nurse made it easy for me .... just do it!
I had the 2 step surgery. I had my 1st on April 7th 2009 and the takedown on June 3rd 2009. When I had my first surgery my output was VERY liquidy and I actually got dehydrated and ended up in the hospital. I started taking immodium and metamucil at that time and things got a LOT better .. I actually started getting used to the wafer and bag .
Then the unthinkable .. got a fever ... fluid collection around my Pouch internally ... Cipro and Flagyl for 2 weeks. Cleared it right up .. no need for a drain or anything ... wasn't THAT much fluid.
Then came the takedown ...(this is the part you are interested in).
They gave me a stress dose of steroids during the takedown so I am on a tapering dose right now (20mg starting and 5 mg reduction every week). I should be done with the pred in about
4 weeks.
When I woke up from the takedown I felt like someone stabbed me with a knife and turned it ... which I think they did
Morphine helps with that. This surgery however is NOTHING compared to the first one. I was in a LOT OF pain during the first one ... this one seemed like a piece of cake compared to that one.
The first day I got connected I remember only having a few droplets of blood at a time and only went maybe twice. I had control and made it to the bathroom even after unplugging my IV and all. That night I slept like a baby and when I woke up I realized I had leaks on the chuck. This could have been cuz I took a sleeping pill and was VERY relaxed
That day I went to the bathroom only a couple of times, with only a little coming out at a time. Had total control, made it to the bathroom each time and had prior notice. (Everyone's body is different). I was walking the floor a LOT. I walked at 2 in the morning, at 5 and maybe every 2 hours during the day. The only time I sit put long enough was when I was watching the NBA finals that night
The next day the docs wanted to discharge me right away .. but I wanted to wait until that evening to see if all was ok. Just a bit paranoid cuz I had ended up in the hospital too many times. They came back that evening and I was ready to go home!!!
I've been eating almost everything. I chew really well. I even eat a few raw veggies here and there (broccoli and all). There was one night where I suffered a lot from gas but that was because of a dish I ate for lunch the prior day for lunch (too many onions).
A week later ... I have control over my BM's. I wake up at night to go to the bathroom maybe 2 - 3 times. Have a lot of gas. My butt burns a lot after 6 pm until the next morning, I seem to go most then. During the day I am just fine, but it could be because of the banana I have religiously every morning. I tried a banana tonight so let's see how that works out ... you'll know on twitter
The surgeon told me to stay away from bulking products like metamucil for about
2 weeks as the incisions internally need to heal and could still be a bit tender. I'm waiting for that so I can bulk things up baby!!! Also, I've stayed away from the immodium as long as I can. If I can't slow things down by Saturday I'll take an immodium at night so I can sleep some more .. but during the day I'm not that bad.
I'm using a zinc oxide and calmoseptine cream to help with butt burn ... oh they are absolutely necessary!!!
Here's the gross part ... so you know what to expect.
I have clumps come out of me .. so it's not diarrhea. However, there are times where it feels like there is a piece stuck right at the tip of your anus. Its a horrible feeling but it doesn't leak or come out .. you have total control. Today I was able to pass gas without having to worry about
if I was going to leak.
So all in all after a week I am very happy. We all wish it was like a light switch, FIX ME! The body takes time to recover ... takes time to get used to the new plumbing. Believe in it and it will happen!
Sounds like we're about
the same age ... I'm 31. 4 - 6 BM's are totally manageable. I would be happy with that ... I'm happy with where I am now.
Honestly, everyone that's seen me can't believe I look this way. I have color in my face ... my dark circles are starting to fade away from being sick and on meds all the time. I am really really thrilled that I'll be able to enjoy my upcoming baby's birth.
Everything has complications, right now, I'm just happy that I have a second chance. God is great and life is good.
I hope I helped out ... if there is anything you need feel free to ask away. I wish the chat feature on this site worked. We could all setup a time to meet.
Wooooohoooooooooo !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!