Temporary Loop Ileostomy scheduled June 21st.

So, me and my doctor finally have a plan of action now that we know what exactly is wrong with me. After many tests and many years, I have been dx with rectal intussusecption, anismus, and an anterior rectecele, and this is why I can't poop. It is called an obstructed defecation syndrome and really rules my life in every aspect. 3 to 6 hours on the toilet everyday and my quality of life is crap. LOL

So, the doctor is going to go in and remove the intussusecpted part of the rectum, remove the sigmoid colon, do a rectopexy, and hook me up to a temporary closed loop ileostomy for several months. This will be performed laproscopic which I am happy about because no huge cut and less chance of scar adhesions forming.

I am worried about having the ileostomy, but know this is what I need to improve my quality of life.

All of you guys with ileostomies...
what can you eat? I already don't eat fiber or much roughage, so, should be no problem there. But, I do drink coke and LOVE coke. Do any of ya'll drink coke?
Can you eat meat, like chicken, roast beef, or hamburgers? I mostly eat chicken!
Potatoes I know can cause problems, but what about pasta, breads(white), beans???
Also, do any of ya'll take immodium to slow the poop down?

I am also a bus driver. My doctor said I will be able to go back to work the 1st week of August?? Is that possible? DO ya'll think I will be ready to return to work that soon after? He said I should be feeling good 2 weeks after the surgery???? I hope he is right.

Also, the bus has no air conditioning and I live in Georgia, so, extremely hot. The conditions on the bus can get as hot as 117 degrees! Will the bag stay on in those harsh conditions? I will only be exposed to this heat for 4 hours every afternoon as the mornings are hot, just not 117 degrees hot. And this heat is only for 2 months, luckily not all year.

I am also worried about where they will place the stoma, seeing as I will be sitting for 8 hours a day because I am driving. I also have a funny brake on my bus, which is where I have to bend down to the left and push this handle down, and then back up to release the brake. Will the bag interfere with this movement? I can request an air brake, but really don't want to have to explain as to why. I don't want anybody knowing I have a bag. And I won't have this funny brake forever seeing as we get upgraded to a better bus the more seniority we have.

My doctor told me I shouldn't have any problems doing my job. And that I can do anything I want to do.

I went and looked at ileostomy supplies and I was like WOW...so much to choose from.

Thanks, Tracy

Ohio, thanks for replying. I feel very overwhelmed by all of this, but feel very fortunate that atleast I have time to prepare unlike some others who have no time to adjust to getting an ostomy due to an emergency situation. I do smoke cigarettes, but, other than that, I am in pretty good health.

Tracy, you know - you having the exact surgery I just had, except I didn't end up with a stoma. I also had it open, and felt really good - much faster than when I had my Lap. surgery (sacralcolpopxy) I really felt almost normal with the open by 4 weeks! That said, I'm 48 yrs old but I work out 6 days a week and that may have been why I recovered so fast. (I was told by the doctors, that my recovery would be long, and it would take a full yr to fully recover!!)

Anyway, I wanted to address the rectopexy... my surgeon planned on doing everything via lap, but decided at the last minute that he could address the rectopexy better via open. My first rectopexy was via lap... just wanted to share so that you can address the surgeon in regards to this. From researching, it does appear that the open may be a better option for the rectopexy... can't wait for you to finally have this all behind you!

Tracy,

You should be fine when it comes to returning to work 6-7 weeks after surgery. You'll also be able to eat all of your favorite foods and wash it down with an ice cold Coke!

When it comes to sweating, that shouldn't be a problem either. I live in Florida so I'm familiar with sweating. The Coloplast Assura Extended Wear Wafer #2833 (with matching pouch #13986) has never let me down!

Also, you won't have a problem sitting for 8 hours and bending to reach the brake.

Hope that helps put your mind at ease!

Cecilia

If they won't send you some, I will!! The adhesive on these wafers is amazing. I've spent the entire day swimming and still got a week's worth of wear out of it! Don't worry about your tummy not being flat, you can always lay down and spread your skin out smooth while applying the wafer to get a good seal. I think the bloating will go away once you have an ileostomy, since you won't be constipated anymore.

{{{Big Hug}}}

Cecilia

I've had one since April 20th. Was told I had a 10-15% chance to have one. So I was a little sad and shocked. Gonna have it at least two months. I was cut open from belly button to groin. They removed two pieces. Had post op problems. Just started eating May 10th. Now the good news i've been able to eat pretty much anything. But I avoid raw things and wheat bread. Have'nt tried any carbonated drinks yet. So far only had problems with the bag on one day. When my output was through the roof. Ended up back in the hospital for dehydration. Good luck to you!.

My husband was given a booklet that said Coke is a brilliant emergency remedy for watery output - so yeah, coke is good!! Good luck :)