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J Pouch Recovery Time

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 8/3/2008 9:34 PM (GMT 0)
I was just wondering what the recovery time is on the J Pouch surgery. I'm not in need of this, I'm just curious.
Posted 8/3/2008 10:04 PM (GMT 0)

For me I was back to work 3 weeks following surgery but most are out 6 weeks.  I also returned to hiking within about 4 weeks.  I had been pretty ill for about 2 years prior to surgery so I had a fair amount of fatigue and pred withdrawl that lasted about a year.  Pouch adaption also took about a year.  Three months post surgery I travled through Europe; at six months I did a half marathon.  That year of recovery was not spent lounging around!

Sue

Posted 8/3/2008 10:10 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks. I was just wondering if I ever did this how long I'd be out of commission. I drive a truck long haul and always wondered how the bouncing around in the truck would effect recovery time.
Posted 8/4/2008 3:00 AM (GMT 0)

Sue

dx proctitis in 1987
dx UC in 1991, was stable until 1998

1998 started prednisone, asacol, pentasa, nortriptylene, ativan, 6MP, rowasa enemas and suppositories, hydrocortisone enemas, tried the SCD diet, being a vegetarian, omega 3s, flax, pranic healing, yoga, acupuncture, probiotics

2000 lost all my B-12 stores and became anemic

2001 opted for j-pouch surgery- now living life med-free

I love that part of your signature :-) .
Posted 8/4/2008 6:07 PM (GMT 0)
What exactly do you mean by pouch adaption? Like getting BM's down to a minimum and figuring out which foods work for you? By "living life med-free," does that include or exclude Immodium and/or fiber supplements?
Posted 8/4/2008 6:44 PM (GMT 0)
I think by pouch adaptation she means the time it takes to expand and start functioning more like the reservoir it's supposed to be. I've read about people giving themselves water enemas every day and gradually increasing the amount until they have the second surgery and this is supposed to help stretch the pouch out that way maybe it's easier after you have the second surgery.
Posted 8/4/2008 7:18 PM (GMT 0)
Adaption means not only the reduction of frequency over that first year but also the adaption to foods. For some of us raw fruits and vegetables are uncomfortable to pass in the early days but canned fruits and vegetables are fine. It took my system about 6 months to get to the point where I could comfortably eat fresh fruits and vegetables which was critical for me as that is my preferred diet.

I do not take imodium, lomotil, or use fiber. I did in the first few months post surgery but found that my diet (which is very high in fiber) did not need the additional fiber. I also did not like the way I felt on imodium or lomotil; it slows things down a bit too much for me. The only time I use lomotil now is if I am on a long distance hike (80-200 miles) as I find consecutive days of extreme amounts of physical exercise increases my motility. Using it under these circumstances works well for me; the increased amount of exercise counterbalances the effects of the lomotil.

I do take a probiotic and a multivitamin everyday.

Sue
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