What is a normal recovery rate after the first j-pouch surgery?

Superzero,
I had the jpouch curgery in December. It knocked me out for weeks. It takes an enormous, enormous toll on the body when the small intenstined is manipulated. 3 weeks is normal. And I did not have five other organs removed at that time.
It's good that you are feeling better and I would still rest up another 2 weeks. Try going out, just a little at first. Don't do it alone because you don't know what your blood pressure is going to do.
I was in the hospital 2 weeks and home another 3 weeks before I went back to work. I could have stayed home another week, but I was alright.
Take thngs slow and don't expect anything from yourself. Everyone says that jpouch surgery is the total knocker-outer.

And be careful with dehydration. If you just got a loop stoma you may be losing bag full after bag full of water. I nearly dehydrated that way. Start taking immodium to make sure you keep enough fluids in your system.

Salt helps with water retention too. I've noticed a big difference the past week since I've started drinking sports drinks instead of plain water. Much more energy and less headaches. I do blame the stupid pollen for the headaches too (we had a pollen count of 9400 something about two weeks ago so bad that I left tire tracks in the parking lot at work).

I just had the first surgery on March 1st and have been back to work full time since last week. I was able to have the whole procedure done laparoscopically so it didn't take as much of a toll on me as if I would have had it done openly. They sent me home after 4 days I had the surgery at UNC and I live 3 hours away in Roanoke, VA). I felt amazing. The only problems I had were dealing with the bag and how to change it - mine would leak constantly. I was never set up with home health care and that would have been really nice to have at first. I was able to find an amazing ostomy nurse who helped me with my supplies and finally figured out wearing an ostomy belt would completely stop my leaks. It just takes some getting used to. It can be extremely frustrating for the first couple of weeks until you get the hang of it. Although things were tough I still felt so much better than I had in the 11 years of living with UC. I felt really tired most of the time because I was just laying around at home afraid to leave because of my bag issues. Once I got things figured out and have been back to work it seems that I have more energy then ever. Don't push it but maybe just a small walk or two a day might help with your energy. My takedown is scheduled for April 30th so we'll see how things go with that. Good luck to you!!

Wow, it sounds like my recovery expectations were completely unrealistic. I am also going through surgery induced menopause. It is nasty! Blinding headaches, nausea, and always feeling like I am in a sauna. It was tough keeping my spirits up today. I appreciate all of the suggestions. I was having weekly blood tests but I think Suebear is right that I need another one. Throwing up for 10 days did a lot of damage. Any suggestions about tv series to watch? I do not usually watch tv but I am running out of good books to read.

B'dereh,
I am meeting with the gyno-oncologist today to check on symptoms and what can be done to stop this.
What site or service do you use to download season series? I tend to like Canadian and British tv and French films. I used to watch Dr Who back when the series was first started. I am not familiar with the other shows. I will try to find them.
Thank you!

I got Slings and Arrows from Netflix.

There are a lot of good HBO and Showtime series. I like In Treatment, which is kind of a particular taste -- it's like a play every episode, with various characters in therapy .... kind of intense. I also liked Six Feet Under a lot -- also intense.

Lately I've been watching the Good Wife, which I'm enjoying .... it's less intense than the others, bit more formulaic. I like Parenthood too, as network shows go.

30 Rock and Modern Family are really funny if you want comedies.

Then there are the medical shows, which I have a kind of crazy penchant for when recovering ..... House and Grey's anatomy.... The Big C and Nurse Jackie are medical comedies (mostly.... some serious stuff occasionally).

It is really good when you can find a show that works for you .... good mix of knowing what to expect and not knowing what to expect.... very helpful while recovering.

B'Dereh,
I am so sorry you had a horrid day. My strength was better today but the nurses couldn't tell me the bloodwork test results. She said the doctor wanted to speak to me but was in surgery all day.
Btw I am an eastern Canadian living in the Pacific Nw of the USA. Hence my taste in tv. My husband is from Germany. His father was in the Embassy in Germany until Senator McCarthy charged him with being un-American. He had smuggled one too many Jews out of east Germany through the black market. He stayed in Germany. My husband was born in Bonn but raised in a small village called Ruhpolding.
Ha now you can guess at how ancient I am...
I'll check out your shows.
I hope tomorrow will be a much better day for you!

The nurses at my hospital wouldn't discuss the bloodwork with me either, that was only for the doctor, and then I forgot to ask him about it. That's to say, it doesn't mean anything if the nurses don't talk about the labwork.
Today you're better and tomorrow you will be feeling even better than that. Really take it easy and get all you can out of rest and sleep. You have been through so much and your body needs to rest, even if you yourself are bored out of your bean!
I'll name some novels I'm reading, if you want.

Your father in law is my hero!

I am having some real incontinence issues and trying to deal with them and not feel like crawling into a corner and staying there.