One year j-pouch anniversary

Exactly one year ago I was in surgery to have my end ileostomy removed, and my j-pouch created and connected. A year on and... Things are going really well. For the first few months I was really careful to use a barrier cream to protect my skin, and I used a handheld bidet to clean myself after BMs. I don't bother with either of those things any more - I just use normal toilet paper. I eat a totally unrestricted diet, have regained a healthy weight, and am much fitter than in my UC days. I still take psyllium husk every day as it does a good job of bulking up my stool. I've averaged out at four BMs per day, and almost always sleep through the night.

The daily BMs are not a hassle. There is no urgency, I can hold on for hours, I feel well, etc. The one thing I would change is the noise level. BMs with a j-pouch can be quite loud (thankfully my work toilet is in its own room with a very loud automatic hand drier than can mask most sounds). Overall I am consistently surprised at just how normal I feel. Most days I pretty much forget that I have a j-pouch, which is the opposite of my UC days - when the disease dominated everything.

Life pre-surgery was a huge struggle - to be a parent, to do my job, not trusting my body, living with a one-minute-bowel-warning, and using most of my energy to think about where toilets were (and then running to them). I was existing but not thriving. I am so thankful for how much my surgeries transformed my life.

Where did you have it done and who performed the surgery?

I am in the UK, so had it done at my local NHS hospital by one of the colorectal surgeons. He did a fantastic job in both surgeries.

Awesome to hear you are doing well!!! Thanks for the update....

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This is so great to hear. I had step 1& 2 a month ago (today actually) and have my appt with the surgeon next week to determine the date for the next step.

I've often questioned if this is all worth it. Granted I was readmitted to the hospital after the surgery with an obstruction. So it hasn't been an easy journey.

I've been worried about the second surgery-
How long I'll have to take off from work, will I have to wear depends until I learn how to control those rectal muscles, etc.

Anyhow, this is has been reassuring. Glad things have gone well for you!