So what's it like after takedown

Take deep breaths! It's going to be okay. I was nervous too right before my takedown but it all ended up being totally uneventful. Which is the way we want it!

It could be a little nutty for a week or so immediately after takedown but it quickly calms down as your body heals and adjusts. I was going about 10 or 12x a day right after and then after a couple of weeks it was about 4 to 6x a day which is what I have stayed at as an average day. I never had any urgency right from the start. It just feels full and you go empty just like you would when your feel your bladder is full and you go pee. That's the best I can describe it. Everyone is different of course so frequency and all could be different for you. I am just telling you what I experienced.

Just go slow with food at first. You will get the feel when you want to be come more adventurous. The one thing that stands out in my mind the most is the gas pains/spasms immediately after. They were really bothersome but they didn't last long. They can take you by surprise if you weren't told about them. It's all part of the healing process. I have no issues with nutrition. I gained my weight back that I lost when I was so sick with UC. I still have a slight anemia problem but it is finally improving.

Buy yourself some Calmoseptine ointment. It is for butt burn in case you get some and chances are you will. It's really good stuff. You can get it at Walgreens or amazon.com has it too. I don't get butt burn often anymore but I always have a tube handy.

You will do great...try not to worry too much. You will be sailing again before you know it! :)

Hi Nancy,
I just had my takedown a little less than a week ago. My BMs have ranged from 3 per day to 6-8 per day so far. Last night I was up 3 times. I have had some butt burn, but using lots of diaper cream. I also having some itching and will be going out to get something like Tucks, for that tomorrow. I don't have the urgency, which is great. I can feel movement through my small intestine and then feel the pouch fill up. It is a bit odd! It does seem like it is a bit of a challenge to completely empty, but I am expecting this will change over time.

I won't lie - yesterday, I was really missing my ostomy. I felt great with it and I knew what to expect with it. Having the surgery changed that feeling great part and now I don't know what to expect. Using the pouch is new and it is an adjustment. I am trying to remember that and that I will feel better again.

I don't have tons to share, but wanted to pass on the little that I do. Good luck with it. I will be happy to answer anything else for you.

I was just as worried as you were with my takedown, but honestly, I can say that it's not bad at all :) You'll learn to manage gas and bms will be frequent in the beginning but as time passes it will become less, and as for urgency, I don't have any at all. You'll feel like you'll need to go but it's not like before where you have to rush to the bathroom like no tomorrow. I was like that when I was suffering from UC symptoms before my surgery, but it will be ok, so don't worry :) The only thing I do miss, I have to admit, is my little squirmy stoma ;)

As ByeByeUC said, take deep breaths and don't worry too much. Things will be fine. Initially, it can be rough but for most people things get much better quite soon.

I am almost 3 months from my takedown and things have settle into a sort of a routine. I go 4-6 times in 24 hours. There is not much urgency, but if I delay going to the bathroom too much then I start feeling uncomfortable and have this constant pressure to go. But, I can delay going for over an hour quite easily. I have some butt burn and itching, which can get a bit irritating.

I had a pretty hard time right after surgery. I had developed a partial blockage which kept me in the hospital for tn days. Five of them with a NG tube going down my nose and throat. Not fun but somehow I got through it all.

My surgeon told me to stop all supplements and eat a normal, balanced diet. I haven't got any bloodwork done recently so I am not sure if I am deficient of any vitamin or mineral. But, I don't feel sick or tired. This past weekend I went on a three hour long bike ride around the city. So, I'd say I'm doing fine. I don't tolerate spicy food well. This is new as all my life I have eaten fairly spicy food and even with the ileostomy spicy food was never a problem. That's why it's hard to say if things that you are experiencing now are an indication of stuff after takedown.