Preparing for ileostomy reversal !ADVICE NEEDED!

Hello everyone

I am awaiting the second (and final) part of my surgery to reverse my ileostomy. I was diagnosed at 17 with ulcerative colitis and within 2 weeks I was given emergency surgery to remove the large bowel and create a stoma.
I am looking to speak to people around a similar age group to me (18-25) who have similar experiences, to speak to, share advice and stories. I would particularly like to hear about things I can do to prepare for my surgery, and recovey.

Jennie

The fact that you've said you recovered very quickly has made me feel a lot better!

I guess it's just the fear of those daunting weeks after its happened that scare my the most, especially after having learnt to live with this bag for a good two years. I was wondering about how alcohol has effected you since the operation? (that is if you drink it of course) With me being the age I am, and attending university, how this change will affect the social side of my life is obviously a big thing. I know atm with a bag that alcohol can be something that affects my bowel movements.
I have experienced a lot of issues with my bowel movements whilst having the temporary loop ileostomy, which I dont remember having with the end ileostomy I had previously. It seems to be a lot more sensitive and much more than before i am experiencing the cramping pains leading to very watery output, i was wondering if you or anyone else experienced this, and if this carried on after the reversal was complete (which would be problematic) or if it was just something partly caused by the loop ileostomy itself.
Thankyou for your reply! i'm glad to hear you are happy with your reversal :)

Thankyou, your reply has helped me a lot, I didnt know about the loop ileo having this effect so I'm glad that this doesnt mean i'll have these troubles after the reversal. I am fully prepared for it to be a tough few months after the operation, but after it will be worth it i'm sure :)
Thanks I will!

Hi Jennie

I was 15 when I had the two step jpouch procedure. Yes, those loop ileos can be little buggers, so hang in there! Do you take anything like imodium or lomotil to help with your liquidy output?

I was 16 when I had my take down, and two years later went away to university. I couldn't (and still don't!) drink much as anything carbonated like beer makes me extremely gassy and spirits or wine go right through me and increased my trips to the bathroom. Not a big deal, but you do have to watch for dehydration if you are going to the bathroom more often. Drink a lot of water between alcoholic beverages and go slowly.

What I found helpful for my surgeries and recovery was to do a lot of positive thinking and meditation ahead of time. I told as many people as I could that I was having surgery, because I knew that I would need a lot of support. It's a big change to go through, and there will be days when you are down in the dumps, unable to see the light, and it will be your family and friends that pull you through.

Learn to laugh at yourself. In the beginning after takedown my butt was so sore, and I was going to the washroom all the time, sometimes I didn't even make it and had accidents in my pants! But in the grand scheme of things, no biggie, right? If you don't make a big deal out of it, no one else will.

And to help with keeping your "tone" strong down there, do your kegel exercises often! A bit of hard work now will help you better control going to the bathroom after takedown, both to pee or poop.

Hope this helps!