Hi all,
I thought I would start a new topic since my last update was started at the 3 day mark. 'Thanks for all the good wishes :)
To Eileen: I have to say I agree with everything posted by the helpful members on this site. Most of your questions have been commented on so trust them!! I know, you're impatient - I hear you! But I will answer you also and hope I add some more excitement and hope for you based on how well things have gone for me. To your immediate question, I had only 2 days of being chained to the bathroom. That was the second weekend after my surgery i.e. 14 days or so. Until then the BMs were kind of minimal. The "weekend from hell" seemed like a kind of transition point after which things were much easier. I should say though that I was told to take a stool softener by the home care nurse - not sure I agree with that in retrospect. The BEST advice has been stated many times: keep a food journal so you can see cause and effect. After my hell weekend, I just stopped eating for about a day and then very gradually introduced foods again. Not sure I recommend that but it worked for me because I think I had been too piggy with all my excitement about eating.
So...now I'm at the 4 week mark. My BMs are down to 6-8 per day and are completely manageable. By that I mean I don't need to dash off to the loo when I start to get "that" feeling. My energy is through the roof! This was my first week back to work full time; I could have gone a week ago but I had the luxury of working from home. Anyway, I've been to the gym 3 times but so far I can't get past 35 min on the treadmill at a brisk walk. I'm probably doing too much between the early morning hike with the dog, full day at work and then attempted gym workout and still another dog walk later. I've signed up to work with a trainer for a few weeks to build up my abs very carefully. Since I was sliced in both directions my gut looks like a hard earned beer gut! Anyway it's a nice feeling to pass out at the end of the day from physical exhaustion, if that makes sense. And I can sleep on my stomach for the first time in 9 months. Some members say they can do that with a bag but I could not.
Food wise I'm eating everything but nuts, seeds and red meat. Don't care much for them anyway. I'm eating several servings of fruits and veggies including salad!! I ate a pear without peeling it! Wooo Hoooo ;) Veggies go through me pretty quickly, i.e. within 2 hours I have to find a bathroom. The weight I gained post op is sticking but I am eating enough calories to sustain my weight. So it's not fair to say I should expect to lose. It's frustrating but I'm just riding the wave of energy and good eating so I'm not too concerned right now. The nurses told me to be patient and give my body 6 weeks to calm down. In a bizarre twist, my clothes still fit despite being 15 lbs heavier. I'd say a wee bit snug but nothing like what 15 lbs should really do to my wardrobe.
Wound wise, the reversal was done through the stoma site so no new incision. They let it heal from the inside so it had to be packed daily. Well, I'm happy to report that is done now too! It took just over 3 weeks. I no longer have to wear any bandage, not even a bandaid. But there is a heck of a dent where the stoma was. Good thing I'm not vain; with all the scars and swelling, a dent is just another thing to laugh at. And trust me, I laugh at myself a lot!! Oh, and you didn't ask about how long to expect to be on pain meds. I think several members had the same experience as me: 2 weeks on tylenol 3s and that's it.
Well, happy Easter to all. I think sugar is an "accelerant" whether you have an ostomy or are post reversal so we shall likely all share in that side effect if we partake in chocolate heaven. I know I will :) But I will enjoy the drive to the cottage (4 hours) without worrying for once about bag leakage and I will be able to drink coffee along the way. I had a really hard time with leakage; much more than the regular members seem to have. Boo Hoo, such a whiner!
cheers
Connie