Surgeries

I apologize to anyone who has yet to complete their surgeries, and I'm certain in a year or so I'll feel differently, but I wish I'd never had any of these 3 surgeries. If the doctor hadn't told me I'd die otherwise, I wouldn't have had them. I'm 3.5 weeks out from my reversal and as miserable as ever. Yes, life without a bag is awesome, but I'm in constant pain, feeling constant urgency and feel the same awful way with crummy quality of life I did before these 3...Praying others don't have this experience. Good luck to you awaiting your reversals.

3.5 weeks is so early on. It gets better but it takes some people longer than others. I know that doesn't help much when you feel poorly but you shouldn't give into the thought that's this is as good as it will get. Baby steps. Hang in there.....

This is normal recovery. Honestly, I had a far easier time with the first surgery than I did with the reversal. It will help a lot if you keep a food diary in these early months. Some foods have longer transit times and those are the ones you want to stick with to reduce your frequency. Stay away from sugar...even juice. Anything with sugar will make things looser. Have you tried taking lomotil or imodium? Are you taking Metamucil? I think the wafers are more effective than the powder. Are you walking? Exercise will help with your recovery, even if you are limited to just walking up and down your neighborhood block.

Patience will be your best friend; improvement will come in increments of weeks, not days.

Sue

That helps, not having to rush right back to work. When I had my surgery (emergency) I took four months off work and then went back part time until I was ready to go back full time. I was very lucky with my employer and they encouraged me to take my time. Not having that stress really helped.

I don't have a j pouch but from what I have read, it's normal to take a while for things to work properly. Don't be too hard on yourself. You've been through an awful lot.