4 days post op- 1st of 2 step j pouch

Hi everyone!
Been about 4 days since surgery. Feeling well. Just wanted to let everybody know how much I appreciate everyone's advice leading up to this. Turns out even after surgery I still have questions(:
I am pretty likely being discharged tomorrow morning. Taking about 2 Percocet a day right now. Not horrible pain except when laughing, moving a lot, etc. the bag is VERY annoying right now. It seems like i have to empty it so often. The contents is very liquidy and it gets full and heavy very quick. Will this change? It is also annoying how it just sits on my leg and feels kind of warm and gross. Also, for people that had this surgery, went home, then had to go back to the hospital, what are signs I should look for that something is wrong and that this could happen?
Once home, could you take a shower right away with the "butterfly tape" things still across incision? What was the best way you could bathe right after getting home, and best way to sleep? All in the hospital I have been kind of upright and on my back where as normally I am flat in my bed and a side sleeper. Is this a difficult or painful way to sleep? Lastly, I feel like something still needs to come out the other end a lot of the time. Normal?
Again, thank you to everyone who will comment on this and to anyone who has commented and helped me up until this point. I appreciate it more than you could know. It helps so much to hear from other people who have been through it!

Hi Amanda! Glad to hear you are getting to go home. It was such a relief to get home but I was also 3 hours from home and in the hospital for 2 weeks during my first step. Sounds like you are doing really well managing your pain. I got to where I only took one percocet before bed. Your pouch output will change once you regulate your diet and it all depends on what you eat and drink. You will learn with time what works and what doesn't. I can eat pretty much anything. The pouch is kind of a bizarre feeling. I am never not aware that it is there. The hospital is going to give you very detailed discharge instructions about what you can and can't do, whether you can bathe or not, and what symptoms you need to watch for. I was allowed to shower but it was hard with
the JP drain so I didn't do it everyday. I am able to sleep on my side.
I think you are doing really well. It really does help to know that you are not alone in this. I have learned so much on this forum and hope that my experience has helped you in some way.

Hi Amanda. Sounds like you are right on track! Yes...the bag is annoying! I've had my loop for 9 weeks now. Output tends to be liquidy (especially if I drink coffee in the am). However it does get more like the consistency of oatmeal as the day goes on. To be honest, I prefer the more liquidy as the bag is much easier to empty! I still empty it alot...pretty much every time I pee (as long as I'm in there, might as well do it). I've found that wearing 2 pairs of undies helps some with the "warm hanging" feeling you describe. I bought cheapo Fruit of the Looms. I wear bikinis (my regular size) which seem to support the bag from the underside. Then I wear the higher ones (a size larger) on the outside and fold the bag into them. It doesn't move around as much and it helps with the heat thing (I live in Florida so it's warm here even in Dec!). I tried some special ostomy underwear but found it WAY too tight around the waist. I also use a Belly Band (which you can find in the maternity sections of pretty much any store) when I am exercising. Really helps keep it in place during Zumba!

I had staples for my incision. The first week I still had the JP drain so showering was a bit difficult but not impossible. I wrapped my abdomen with saran wrap and then changed the dressings after I dried off. When I went back to the surgeon after 1 week at home, he removed both the staples and the JP drain. But to be honest, can't say I was getting very dirty anyway that first week home cause all I did was sleep and eat (and work a little - I work from home). I was able to drive right away as I was off the pain meds and just on Advil and Tylenol but didn't until after the drain was removed. Have they taken yours out yet?

I slept in my bed every night. I WAS a stomach sleeper (at least falling asleep) so that was out. I now sleep either on my back or my side (either side works for me).

And yes, the mucus is totally normal (my surgeon told me to expect it)! I still pass some almost every time I sit on the toilet but don't really have that feeling of "having to go" anymore.

I did not have to return to the hospital so can't comment on that.

Hope you have a quick recovery! I, like Marianne did(byebyeUC), am counting the days till takedown :)!

Vicki

Hi! Just thought I'd mention about the sore shoulders and neck... After my first of three-part surgery, my shoulders, clavicle, and neck were so bizarrely uncomfortable. I later learned that they added gas into me (laparoscopic surgery) and that some of it rises. Thus the tense tightness I felt for days. It resolves.