J pouch - step 1 Surgery next week

I had my first Jpouch surgery 3 years ago. I'll try to answer some of your questions.
1. How do they choose where to put the pouch?
The ostomy nurse spent a lot of time looking at my belly and measuring. She also asked a lot of questions about my clothing. After all of that she picked a spot and marked it, it was higher up on my right side. I did not have any problems with where the ileostomy was placed and could still wear all of my normal clothing. I did choose to wear an ostomy belt sometimes or basically a maternity belly band just because it made me feel better about how I looked in my clothes and provided support to the pouch.
2. My surgery was laparoscopically too. My biggest scar is where the ileostomy was. I am still amazed that they can remove a large intestine through such a small space. My scars don't bother me at all, I consider them a badge of all the crap (literally!) I lived through.
3. I was in the hospital for 7 days after the first surgery, total of two weeks. My surgery was done on an emergency basis. The next two were 5 days each, probably could have been out sooner had I not had an ileus.
4. I had a home health care nurse for my first and second surgery. I only had to pay a $25 copay with my insurance. I had the same nurse both times. She only came a few times immediately after I came home. It was helpful as she would communicate information to the surgeon's office. She helped me with the ileostomy but she was not an ostomy nurse, so she only knew so much. If you can take advantage of a home health nurse, I would.

5. You will be mobile. My surgeon had me in a chair and walking from the first day. You will be getting stronger everyday so you will be able to be home alone. My fiancé was working but I could be home by myself, prepare meals and do light chores.

6. Yes gas passes through the pouch. The pouch will fill with air. You may have what I call phantom pains where you feel like you have to go. No one told me about that so it scared me that something was wrong. I always found it helpful to sit on the toilet like you would regularly do and the feeling would subside. Some stuff may come out, which my surgeon said was normal after the first surgery.

7. I did not have to hold onto the pouch all the time. It is supported with your clothing and you may find a maternity belly band or ostomy belt helpful for support. It was just there in the shower, I didn't do anything special with it. I changed my pouch every 3-5 days typically.

I only had two days notice of having the surgery. In some ways, I think that was good for me because I didn't too much time to dwell on it. When you first hear of the surgery, it's scary to think about what you will have to go through. However, I knew I continue not how I was going and this surgery allowed me to get my life back. Since the surgery, I have gotten married and was able to carry a baby to full term. If I had continued in the shape I was in, none of this would have been possible.

Good luck with your surgery and try not to get too bogged down with the questions and details.

All great info- thank you both for sharing. I had my appt on Monday with the osteomy nurse and she reinforced everything I Guys said. She also marked my belly so I know where it's going to go. I wonder if I'll have to get looser clothes? They reassured me that I won't be automatically losing weight with the surgery - I wish I would since I gained so my with the prednisone. But I've heard others say it just falls off (if they weren't already losing it bc they were sick).

She said I'll want to wake up in the middle of the night to let lit the air and empty the pouch at first. I'll also have a drainage tube in my butt for a day or a few days to make sure that stuff doesn't get infected. She said it shouldn't hurt to sit or anything. But they do like to get me up and walking within 2-3 hours of surgery. And most likely ill have a home care nurse that will check up on the pouch and make sure im doing ok once I go home. That makes me feel a little better.

I just have to keep in mind it's temporary - it's not like I have something like cancer that isn't curable, right? I'm also trying to be understanding of my family, who just wants to be there for me but doesn't really know how. How do you all handle intimacy with a bag? I'm sure I won't feel up to it for a while, but any suggestions there? Just wear a cami top that comes down and covers it?

I am having a second surgery but prob not until after my wedding which is in late October.

I lost a lot of weight throughout the whole ordeal too. I was way heavy from the prednisone. I was off it before surgery though. If you're tapering, it will likely take a bit longer. I had the butt tube and boy was it uncomfortable. I had to get some lidocaine to keepp myself comfy. My friend who also had it, said it wasn't bad for her at all, she said it was tolerable. It will be interesting to hear what you think. I did buy some new clothes. I wore looser clothes in general on top. Lots of yoga pants that I could tuck the bag into. It was temp, and I was healing from surgery so I generally dressed comfortable. Toward the end, I learned that dresses were the best for hiding the bag. I would have worn more of them if I had known sooner.
These types of shirts are great /www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IIMGCOU/
and high waist underwear /www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00K0TQYX8/
and yes, remember, it's temporary, so don't spend a lot.

Back and feeling okay. The surgery went well. I got a lain pump which kept me pain free until this evening when they switched me to Percocet. That usually makes me nauseous but they're givng me Vofran which is helping.

I'm still so glad I did this surgery! I have a tube in my butt that's draining blood from the jpouch the doc created. That's the toughest part- peeing and bleeding lol.

Thanks for the warm wishes guys

He tube is in for the length of the stay- prob another 2 days? Not too sure. It stopped bleeding so that's a plus. I lay down most of the time so it doesn't bother me that much. Why do they call it a "pinrose"? Lol makes it sound so cute and nice but it's not lol.

I've been waking - doing rounds on the floor- about 2-3x per day. Yesterday I was able to clean myself up a little and felt more human.

Been keeping up with the pain medicine- finally feel like I have a hold on the pain too. They switched me from the pain pump to the oral Percocet and that was kind of a rough transition. I was on solids food but bc of the pain, I had to back down to liquids.

The stoma seems fine. Little weird to have a bag of liquid poo on your side. Easy to manage though- just dump it when I go to the bathroom.

Im getting married in literally 8 weeks so I'll prob wait to reattach until after that. But yes, moving on to the next step sooner than later! Bring it!