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J-Pouch Surgery

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 3/3/2016 10:44 PM (GMT 0)
Tired of battling this disease, time to take care of it. I'm having the first phase of J-Pouch surgery on Monday. Any advice?
Posted 3/3/2016 11:14 PM (GMT 0)
Good luck, I hope your surgery and recovery go well.

We have some members here who've recently ubdergone tgat surgery themselves, and will be happy to answer your questions. You can read some blogs of some who've gone through the process, many share tips, and suggestions. Examples:

fyouuc.blogspot.com/

ronnielee-fightingforit.blogspot.com/2012/08/coming-to-terms.html
Posted 3/3/2016 11:38 PM (GMT 0)
I had a two step j pouch procedure done five years ago. It was tough but in the end, very much worth it. A good piece of advice is to have lots of patience while going through it all. Do you have any specific questions?
Posted 3/3/2016 11:51 PM (GMT 0)
Good luck! I had a 3 step procedure. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. Surgery, while not perfect, has helped me a ton. I am able to do whatever I want now. With UC, I was always passing on going out, passing on jobs, passing on life... I am much happier now. There are a lot of risks, and seeing a surgeon with a lot of experience in j-pouches yields the best result and lowest chance of complications. I am sure you've done the research and you're ready to go. Are you doing 2 step or 3? I still can't believe I did it in 3 steps, seemed pretty nuts accepting to go through 3 surgeries, but I have to say, all in all, I feel like I got through it pretty easily. I took minimal time off work, didn't have to reenter the hospital for anything in between...

Where are you having surgery? Are you in the US?

My advice is, try to get up and walking around as soon as you feel comfortable to do so, that will get you out of the hospital faster. Step 1 was hard for me because I didn't know what to expect in the way of pain. I felt pretty bad when I woke up but they pain team managed it quickly. I felt pretty good after 3 days. Learn whatever you can from your ostomy nurse, they are extremely helpful!
Posted 3/4/2016 1:17 PM (GMT 0)
I woke up from my surgery (colon removal) and I finally felt healthy for the first time in years. There was also less pain than I expected.

How many surgeries are they planning for your j-pouch?

I am very happy that I had surgery. Good luck on Monday.
Posted 3/4/2016 3:52 PM (GMT 0)
15 years with a jpouch..........I have never regretted my decision.
Wishing you the best!

Sue
Posted 3/4/2016 5:43 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the responses! I am doing 2 surgeries. Yes I am in the United States (Michigan, specifically). Have a great surgeon lined up with lots of experience. Its really good to read all the success stories!

I guess my main concern currently is with the temporary pouch itself, were there specific foods that you needed to avoid or found disruptive?

Thanks
Posted 3/4/2016 6:06 PM (GMT 0)
Just chew your food well and you should be fine. Low fiber diet for the first 2-4 weeks.

You'll have a loop ileo so its transit time will be quick, if you eat salad then you'll see some lettuce leaves in the bag.

Some people have problems with mushrooms. But don't worry too much about the food.

If you have a blockage they usually resolve themselves. Carbinated drinks, juices and Wine work for blockages. I'd usually drink a glass of wine and it'd clear my blockage in about 15 minutes.
Posted 3/4/2016 7:31 PM (GMT 0)

Sparty16 said...
Thanks for the responses! I am doing 2 surgeries. Yes I am in the United States (Michigan, specifically). Have a great surgeon lined up with lots of experience. Its really good to read all the success stories!

I guess my main concern currently is with the temporary pouch itself, were there specific foods that you needed to avoid or found disruptive?

Thanks

I ate whatever I wanted, even just days after surgery. I wouldn't recommend this though and I doubt your ostomy nurse will either. It's controversial I guess. My surgeon was big on "eat what you want", and my ostomy nurse was big on restricted diet. I never really had a problem so I just ate what I wanted. Of course, in the beginning you will probably have a very low appetite, so don't force yourself or overdo it.

I had 3 steps, with the end ileo, I had less worries than I did with the loop. I actually think I had a blockage at the end of my loop but it passed on its own. I am not sure what i ate that caused it, but I had horrible cramps. The most important thing is: chew well (I didn't, and only had a problem that one time, and it didn't require hospitalization or anything). The other important thing, especially with the loop, is drink lots of fluids. Water, while it sounds helpful, doesn't have electrolytes/salt/minerals and doesn't hydrate like sport drinks. I hate sweets so I bought drops on amazon and put those in my water. My surgeon said the #1 reason people are readmitted is dehydration. Coconut water is good for hydration if you like it...
Posted 3/4/2016 9:21 PM (GMT 0)

Sparty16 said...
I guess my main concern currently is with the temporary pouch itself, were there specific foods that you needed to avoid or found disruptive?

Thanks

I ate everything with my temporary ileostomy....never had any issues. (Still eat everything with my j pouch too....except Cheerios lol......can't eat them or I'll be in the bathroom all day!) That's the best perk of the whole thing.....you can eat real food agian!

Everyone is different with what they can and cannot tolerate. It's trial and error at first. Just have to try.
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