reversal of illeostomy with J-Pouch from UC

I going next week for the reversl.  I have not had an oppertunity to discuss any details with my doctor/surgeon.   I have no idea what to expect in the days/weeks after surgery.    I would love to hear from someone that has been there and done that.   Any advice, warnings, tips, tricks would be greatly appreciated?   my email is bladesj at yahoo dot com

Hi!

Congrats on your upcoming takedown. It was an exciting time for me, since I had so many complications after the first step. Go to www.j-pouch.org, those folks can help hugely in all of this. They even have a diet guide for post-takedown. Butt burn is the biggest issue, so be sure to use desitin/calmoseptine (has pain killer in it...my favorite thing for after takedown) after each time you wipe...you can't have the skin start to break down around there because your stools will be VERY acidic initially, and it is incredibly painful. so stay on top of keeping that area covered and well taken care of, and eat slowly and introduce foods one at a time, like you did when you had the ileostomy...things are different, and different foods will react differently after each surgery. What you could eat before, you may not be able to at the moment, or even ever again, or the reverse, which is far more likely, since with UC usually your diet is so restricted. Good luck, and be sure to rest and take care of yourself, and STAY HYDRATED! No gatorade, too much sugar, and sugar= butt burn (mantra...remember it, live by it...it hurts!). Stick with the water or the Emergen-C....

Congrats!
Eileen