HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Just had my reversal

Support Forums
>
Ostomies
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 3/26/2018 7:28 AM (GMT 0)
On Thursday I had my j-pouch reversal surgery. Got back home yesterday, on Sunday. I had a 3.5 hour drive to get back home, and I only had to stop once to use the bathroom.

I still have quite a bit of pain by the incision site, but it's manageable. Overall it seems to have gone pretty well. They had to dilate the pouch during the surgery, since it had narrowed a bit by (I think) where it connects to the anal canal.

So far, each day seems to be slightly different when it comes to new sensations, number of BMs, etc. I'm not really counting the number of times I'm using the bathroom in 24 hours, but it's probably less than 10. Last night I had my sleep interrupted 2 or 3 times, but I hope that this will decrease over time. I can deal with having to get up 1 time (I usually did when I had my ileostomy), but more than that I would rather avoid.

I haven't experienced any leakage and no urgency. I just get this fairly strong sensation that I should use the bathroom, but it's not like I have to. It seems like I can hold it for a long time, even if it's annoying. This is a big difference compared to UC. I have realized that I am able to pass some gas when lying down if I'm careful.

I find it a bit difficult to pee when standing up, since it seems like the same muscles are used for emptying the pouch. Any guys that can relate? My butt is also a bit sore, due to excessive wiping and I guess somewhat acidic output. I am definitely going to get a portable bidet (stupid of me to not get one prior to the surgery, despite everyone's recommendations).

I know it's very early, but so far so good I guess. I know this is very individual, but when did everyone start seeing improvements?
Posted 3/26/2018 1:50 PM (GMT 0)
So far it sounds like things are going fairly on track with what you're experiencing. I was going about 20x a day initially after reversal. Definitely get a bidet as well as calmoseptine ointment. Regular diaper cream will also work in a pinch but doesn't contain the menthol as the other. I also use nothing but flushable wet wipes instead of toilet paper. In regards to urinating standing up, yes I have the same issue, the muscles that control the bladder seem to control the pouch emptying. I have found in certain times if I know my pouch is pretty empty, I have been able to go standing up but I rarely chance it. Your surgeon will probably ask how many times you're going so maybe keep track initially till you have a follow up. Your bowel movements should decrease over time. Your body has to learn to use the pouch now as a storage for stool. Your pouch will also stretch and hold more over time as well. Sometimes mine will get a bit aggravated during the night and I may get up more than a couple times but it varies. I can can only, or should I say, I will only chance passing gas when I'm laying down. I usually have to be laying down on either side. I didn't start to feel back to normal till about 6 months out and a full year before I felt as normal as I ever have. It will take time but it should gradually get better
Posted 3/26/2018 3:34 PM (GMT 0)
Congratulations! You will definitely improve over time. I feel like at the 2 month mark, I felt like I could see things getting to a place where I was pretty content, but really, you will continue to improve for quite some time following take down.
Posted 3/27/2018 3:04 PM (GMT 0)
I had the peeing issue initially. Now I can pee standing up no issue. What I do notice though is if my pouch is full and I pee, then sometimes shortly after I have to empty my pouch since it seems that my muscles relax some and then I get the signal of "go".
Posted 3/28/2018 3:41 PM (GMT 0)
How long did it take for you guys to have more formed BMs? The first few times in the hospital i was passing small lumps/pellets, but I attribute that to my bowels taking time to wake up, as well as being on painkillers that probably also slowed things down.

Since getting home I am passing what I can only describe as sludge all the time. It's not water consistency, but kind of pasty. Is this normal this early on? I am probably going around 7-8 times in 24 hours.
Posted 3/28/2018 6:51 PM (GMT 0)

07kr5 said...
How long did it take for you guys to have more formed BMs? The first few times in the hospital i was passing small lumps/pellets, but I attribute that to my bowels taking time to wake up, as well as being on painkillers that probably also slowed things down.

Since getting home I am passing what I can only describe as sludge all the time. It's not water consistency, but kind of pasty. Is this normal this early on? I am probably going around 7-8 times in 24 hours.

Depending on what you eat, this will be permanent. I'm 1.5 years out and unless I'm very dehydrated, eat a lot of bananas or other binding foods, or on immodium etc. they stay anywhere from very watery output to lose grainy/chunky output. I was told that this is normal.
Posted 3/28/2018 7:10 PM (GMT 0)
When I had my end ileostomy, many times my output was quite thick, like porridge (much thicker than anything I ever had when I was flaring with UC). It made sense to me that after a while, the j-pouch output would be something similar.

If anything, I feel like it would help with reducing the acidity of the output. I think that's my biggest issue right now. Butt burn is real...

It almost feels like it is burning more inside (in the anal canal?) than on the exterior skin.
Posted 3/28/2018 7:20 PM (GMT 0)
Butt burn can be horrendous. I had it so bad my skin bled and I was in tears at times. Your skin will toughen up, inside and out as it gets accustomed to the acid. I still get it from time to time now (two years post) but its nowhere near what it was initially. Now I just use a basic diaper cream if things get irritated
Posted 4/3/2018 3:34 PM (GMT 0)
Been having both good and not so good days. At times it almost feels like having UC again, the sensations of having to go to the bathroom seem almost identical.

I'm wondering how it feels for you guys when you know you need to head to the bathroom with a j-pouch. I was expecting to feel it more in the pelvic area, but it is always like a pressure very deep down in the rectal area (or where it used to be). Is this normal? Or am I just waiting too long? I'm a bit confused about this. This is what giving me UC flashbacks.

Also, it feels like most of the time I have to go due to excessive gas that wants out, which I guess creates this pressure in the first place. If I could reduce the gas I probably would have to go a lot less.

How do you deal with gas, and does it get better as your intestines heal from the surgery?
Posted 4/3/2018 5:31 PM (GMT 0)
it will definitely take time for things to settle down. I was going more times after reversal then I ever did with UC. I can generally feel the pressure down low like you're describing. Remember your pouch is directly connected to the small rectal cuff and stool will collect in that area and will generally feel more pressure as your pouch fills up. I know I would try to hold it as long as I could to get accustomed to the new sensations and also allow my pouch to stretch. Gas can also be a pain as it will add pressure to want to empty your pouch. I'll get bad gas if I eat something I don't agree with or if I have a bout of pouchitis. You have a lot of healing ahead of you. If the gas gets really bad see if your surgeon can recommend something. If the acid is to much you can ask for a med called Questran which helps absorb it.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply