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2nd and final takedown scheduled, questions?

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Posted 1/8/2015 8:33 PM (GMT 0)
Hey everyone!
Went to the doctors yesterday and had a pouchogram. Everything looked good! I am exactly 4 weeks post op today and we scheduled my takedown for February 16th. So I will be just over 9 weeks post op for my takedown. I am counting down the days! This temp ilesotomy has been so difficult to deal with. I am just wondering what to expect from takedown. Is it all laproscopic? My first was half laproscopic with a bikini incision. Wondering if they will reopen that incision or if it will all be lapro? The surgery is a Monday and my surgeon said I should be out of the hospital that Wednesday. He also said I don't have to do a prep I just basically show up! Just wondering what else I can expect from this one? Will I have another drain? Cause I hated that thing the first time around! Lol. I know this surgery is a lot less extensive than the first, just was looking for some advice on what differences or similarities to expect! Thanks everyone! :-)
Posted 1/9/2015 12:08 AM (GMT 0)
They went right in thru my stoma to do the hook up...no new openings needed. It's a relatively easy and quick procedure. Then my stoma was loosely sutured closed. (Some surgeons leave it open to heal...it just boils down to their preference). I had no drains. I went in on a Friday and went home that Tuesday morning. (Would have been sooner but I couldn't pee for two days!....but that's typical for me every time I have anesthesia...my bladder never wants to wake up).

The takedown surgery itself is easy. It's the following days when everything wakes up and you start going again that it can be tricky. Just remember to have patience and it will all be good if you just give it time.

The best advice I can give you is to go slow with food at first. Small frequent meals are better than a big ones while you're adjusting to your new plumbing. Best of luck!
Posted 1/9/2015 3:02 AM (GMT 0)
Since I had to do the surgeries in 3 steps, I am going for my pretesting on January 22 and if everything checks out my takedown is scheduled for February 13. Believe I am ready! So I have no advice for you other than we will be going through it at the same time! I was wondering how long people had to be off work. I can imagine the surgery part isn't too bad but I am sure there will be an adjustment period for getting used to the new plumbing.
Posted 1/9/2015 5:51 PM (GMT 0)
Amanda,

My prep was to stop eating 24 hours in advance of the surgery and no liquids after midnight.

They went through my stoma area and left the area open to heal. I had to pack the opening with fresh gauze every day for about 3 weeks until it fully healed.

It took about 36 hours for my pouch to start emptying. 2 days in the hospital might be a little optimistic so I would plan for a few other days so you are not disappointed.

You'll be a little sore but not like the pain that you had after the j-pouch creation surgery.

I was fortunate and never had the butt burn or high frequency that some J-pouchers have but you should expect that could last for some time after your take-down surgery.
Posted 1/9/2015 10:04 PM (GMT 0)
Pretty much the same for me as for Keith. I was in the hospital for four days. My incision was stapled shut, though, not left open to heal.

My frequency was about 6x/day from the beginning. It went up a little bit (maybe to 8/day) at first when I started varying my diet but it's a year and a half later and 5-6/day is still typical for me. I never slept through the night at first but now I sleep through the night about half the time. Sometimes I wake up just to pee :)

My surgeon only wrote me out of work for two weeks, but I was lazy and didn't want to go back (I'm sure I was physically able) so I took an extra week's worth of vacation days.

Edit: can't believe I forgot to mention this. I can't recommend getting a bidet seat for your toilet enough. I really love mine. I don't truly "need" it anymore but I never really struggled with butt burn and I think having the bidet from the beginning is one of the reasons why. If you don't get a bidet, definitely invest in soft toilet paper, travel wet wipes, ointment (I like A&D, a lot of people prefer Calmoseptine), and a squirt bottle so that you can easily wash yourself clean.
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