3-Step J Pouch Surgery - True Recovery Time?

We are starting to get mentally prepared for husband to have J-Pouch Surgery. It will be 3-step.

Assuming no complications, we would like to know people's experiences regarding actual recovery time after each step, mainly, how long until you were able to go back to work? My husband works a desk job.

Thanks.

Suzy,

The recovery time is a very individual thing and completely unpredictable. I instantly felt better after waking up from my colectomy which was my goal, I didn't care how many weeks it took me to get back to work but i wanted to get to work as soon as possible but that was secondary to me.

I had a 3-step surgery, step-1 was easiest for me to recover from and I was back at my desk in 3-weeks of being admitted to hospital. This one had the biggest learning curve for me with the new ostomy supplies and changes.

I needed an open surgery, not laproscopic so my healing took longer. I needed it due to the long-term steroid use and my skin failed when they inflated my abdomen for the laparoscopic attempt.

Step-2 I was out of work for 7 weeks but I was also readmitted with a blockage/kink. This was the toughest surgery for me to recover from.

I think step-3 I was out 3-4 weeks; I ended up with a small abscess which prolonged my hospital stay and recovery.

Typically it's:
Step-1 about 3-5 days in the hospital
Step-2 about 7-10 days in the hospital
Step-3 about 3-5 days in the hospital

Recovery time is usually triple of the days spent in the hospital after the release date and before returning to work.

I can also work from home, I did a lot of work from my hospital room too.

Ramak said...
Today is a year since i had my third surgery. Still have BM of 12 and occasional butt burn. Looks pretty long to me. anyone has views on this?

There are not many active members here with jpouches. You should check out jpouch.org and ask there, but i have heard of people having 10 or 12 BMs a day. Seems excessive, but not always considered a problem. Have you tried immodium? Have you had follow up with your surgeon? Have you tried eating a little differently? I notice things like potatoes really bulk. You could also try psyllium... You may have something going on, like pouchitis, so it's most important you get looked at by a doctor that has expertise in jpouches. After a year, I would expect any drastic changes to function.