Posted 10/3/2013 2:09 AM (GMT 0)
Marianne's answer is the one I hear most frequently from veteran j-pouchers but for me it is definitely the opposite thus far. Probably because I am still in the adaptation phase and not keeping as hydrated as I should, because I always have a need to go to the bathroom to poop before I need to urinate (I end up urinating while I'm there anyway, though).
Sometimes though my BMs and urination get "out of sync" and I need to urinate when I've just had a bowel movement in the past few hours though... if I *really* need to pee and I don't really need to empty my pouch, I've developed enough control of those muscles that I can urinate without having a bowel movement. The benefit to that for me is that it's faster to just pee and at the beginning your skin is a bit irritated so it's better to space out your BMs if you can. I'm told that as time goes on the bowel movements will become as fast as peeing and that the skin toughens up, but I'm not quite there yet.
I am so happy with my results and super lucky (I had no complications to speak of with any of the three surgeries, and was cleared to return to work 2.5 weeks after takedown) but I will say I am hopeful that the next 10 months will have continuing QOL improvements. Someday I would like to get to a point where I don't have to even think about what time I went to the bathroom last, how many times I've gone today, etc etc. I'm already a FAR cry from my lifestyle when I had UC and I'm thankful for that but hoping to get to that A+ j-pouch lifestyle when I'm fully healed.
Also, some general takedown tips... I got a bidet seat for my toilet and it's AMAZING. I have not had any miserable butt burn and I think it's because I use the bidet to clean very well after every BM at home. When I'm not at home I can get by with regular TP or travel wipes (I carry a pack with me just in case), and I've even gone away for the weekend so gone several days without my bidet, but I absolutely recommend it.
Most people swear by Calmoseptine as far as butt cream goes, for me it was horrible. It has menthol in it which is a cooling sensation for most but it felt like burning to me. I guess I'm hyper sensitive. It is also a very stubborn barrier cream and it got everywhere -- all over my skin, my underwear, etc... terrible. Certainly try Calmoseptine first but if you find it doesn't work for you, I really like regular A&D ointment. My routine is... BM, use bidet to rinse clean, pat dry with soft TP, then apply A&D.
Bring your own soft TP to the hospital.
You might want to wear Depends or at least a pad for the first couple of weeks, just at night. I had some very mild incontinence at the beginning and it was very demoralizing but it subsided as my body adjusted.
Hmm, that's all I can think of. The food restrictions will be pretty much the same as the prior surgeries, you know the drill by now, take it slow, try new things one at a time, etc. Stay hydrated. You'll be fine! Good luck!!