Posted 11/20/2017 5:08 PM (GMT 0)
Hi I don't think we're allowed to post links, but if you google this study, you might find it interesting:
SU Christi, W. Scheppach, 'Metabolic consequences of total colectomy', Scand J Gastroenterol Suppl. 1997;222:20-4.
One of the things in this study is that with an ileostomy, you lose a lot of liquid (in that it immediately passes out of your stoma, and has no further time to sit in your GI tract), which results in a loss of energy:
"The large intestine salvages energy from malabsorbed organic matter through absorption of the short-chain fatty acids produced in bacterial fermentation. In ileostomy patients, fermentation is negligible, which leads to a significant loss of energy in the ileostomy fluid."
The study highlights that a j-pouch can help lessen this loss of energy (and dehydration), as the j-pouch is populated by bacterial flora similar to colonic bacteria, which means more liquid absorption and less energy loss.
In my experience, when I had my end-ileo I felt great, but was consistently thirsty and craved salt. With my j-pouch, that constant thirst has gone, and my energy levels are excellent. When I compare my old stoma output with my current stool, it's obvious that my j-pouch is doing pretty well at absorbing liquid (which was passing straight out of my body with the stoma).