Looks like you've gotten a lot of great advice above. Just wanted to let you know, you are doing the best thing for yourself by asking questions and that means you are going to do great with this...
Congratulations! That's the first and biggest (I feel) step to recovery - getting the heck of out of the hospital!...
Haha, I completely agree with the surprise =). I imagine that gets better as you have less gas to pass. Just wanted to make sure I wasn't going to pop my pouch! I'm doing good. Had to put residency...
Hey guys, I am day 4 post-op from my loop ileostomy reversal. And just a quick question. I am having INSANE gas (burping and coming out of my bum). The cramps build up fast, then it pops like a...
So I did it. Step 3 was Tuesday and just got home today. Definitely feels odd to use my natural hardware after 9 months. Especially since it's not quite the same (very runny, acidic feeling stools...
Sometimes I just have increased output based on the TYPE of food or drink I have. If there is no pain or distention or change in output (e.g. bleeding, etc), I would just watch it closely. I don't...
I've had this happen with just simple dehydration too. Make sure you are drinking enough =)....
Dillysmom, Hope you can get your surgery soon! I'm also awaiting my third step and look toward these ladies as my inspiration!...
I haven't had step 3 yet, but my surgeon told me 3 months at least. With my work schedule, I think I'll be 4 months out....
Wow Pluot. You are freaking awesome. Seriously. Hands down. Whichever way you end up going (asking again for more time or heading back to work), you should still know you're freaking awesome!...
Ladies, Thanks so much for the helpful replies. My program has been great and understanding so I have another 6 weeks off before I go back to the 80 hour work weeks. Hopefully, should be ready to go...
Hi everyone, It has been way too long for me since I've been on this board. I just starting working as an MD resident at a local hospital, which has truly taken up all my time. But I do continue to...
Alison, this is all so encouraging to hear. I am so so happy for you! Good luck at the pouchogram and congratulations! You are truly an inspiration....
Pro, I found that I can "burp" the bag without the Osto-EZ-Vents (and prefer it this way because it's less work not having to put them on). I simply unclip the tupperware ring on the bag in a small...
I'm actually interested in a related question. Before surgery I primarily had lower GI symptoms only. However in the last week (about 2 months after step 1), I started having a lot of slow healing...
Ncot, I know you've been going through a lot and I've just been silently observing. I had a lot of the same feelings as you after my surgery so I completely understand. Don't know if it'll help you,...
I feel like post-op is a great time to watch lots and lots of reruns of your favorite shows. Hope tomorrow is a bright and better day!...
It sounds like you've gotten really great advice so far. As far as resources I typically use this forum as a major resource. In addition a number of the members here have really helpful blogs as...
Hope this passes quickly and is just one of those bugs. Thinking of you......
My thoughts will be with you tomorrow, Allison. Hope it's all good news and speedy recovery!...
So glad to hear you might get out today. I feel like getting hope made me feel so much closer to healed after the first step. Will be thinking of you. Does holding it feel different than when you...
I haven't tried this, but I know many people here swear by marshmallows before changing. Have you tried that?...
Liz. Good luck!! Your blog got me through my first step and my thoughts are with you all day tomorrow. Though I know you're gonna be awesome!...
There are a lot of people on this thread who will be able to answer your questions with much better finesse than me. I just wanted to provide my opinion. I am 25 and as diagnosed with UC at 21. I...
I had my operation March 4 and still feel intermittent abdominal soreness, especially around the stoma site. I think some of it is due to the fact that I have started walking more and doing more so...
I just wanted to chime in and say I absolutely could not have survived this all without my family as well. My parents and brother were so amazingly supportive and I stayed with them for 6 weeks after...
Thanks active. Now that you mention it I have been exerting myself a little more than usual. Maybe its time to take a few lay low days and see if that helps!...
Thanks Active. What do you mean by cleaning more than I did though? I have been off pain less for about 5.5 weeks now so I don't think that's the cause :/....
Hey guys, Hope everyone is doing well. I had a question. I had a single incision laparoscopic total colectomy with end ileostomy. Basically a lot of words saying that the ONLY incision that I have is...
Liz, Can't believe you can still make me laugh even when you are feeling so miserable. I really hope this goes away really quickly!...
summerstorm, funny you mention the home care nurses. Mine suggested that if I want to go swimming, I just take off the bag and wafer and cover my ostomy with some gauze. Also probably not the best...
Don't worry ncot. You aren't alone at all. I wish I could say I was always happy postop, but there's still many days where I just want to throw something at a wall and start asking the age old...
My surgeon suggested using Immodium religiously before every meal and bed even if my output is not that thin during the summer months because it gets really hot in Arizona and its hard for anybody to...
Can't say about the mesh or lumps. However, peeing a lot is a good sign. It means you're doing well at keeping hydrated. Just watch out for dark pee (that means you're probably not drinking enough)...
Hey, I haven't posted on this side in a while. But I'm a medical student, to graduate in May! And then will be starting as a resident in June. Will be interesting scheduling my next two surgeries...
UCWhat, I don't mind your novels as prednisone keeps me up all night too! Haha. I've decided to not fight the being awake though and use it to my advantage. I have a bunch of make up work to do for...
I know exactly what you are going through! When I wake up at night to pee and empty, sometimes it takes me up to 2 hours to fall back asleep even though my eyes are so heavy. Stupid prednisone! But...
ByeByeUC, I'm a medical student in Philly. If you don't mind my asking, where was your procedure? I am only 3.5 weeks out from surgery, but I just couldn't wait to start eating everything. I am still...
Hey guys, Hope everyone is doing well! I am now 3 weeks postop and feeling really good. Suddenly, things seem handleable. In any case, I am going on my first road trip this Friday. My grandparents...
I'm also recovering and have found The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy to be a great read during this time. Don't know if its a genre you're interested in, but thought I'd share. Hope you are...
Ucwhat. Take a deep breath and get some sleep. Now the change is over and I hope its feeling a little more comfortable. Good night! Sweet dreams!...
Do you find that you empty more often "in public" when you're wearing regular clothes? Just because things fill up more quickly in normal clothes?...
I haven't tried it yet, but someone suggested using an Ace bandage wrapped around to me. Maybe that would be helpful?...
Congrats and welcome home. The hardest part is making the decision and waiting in that pre-op room. It only gets better from here!...
I too have been wondering what is the right way to "burp" the bag. When I do unclick at the flange, the smell is really foul. But opening up from the bottom an draining the pouch is time consuming....
So I'm still new at this. But I noticed today that my wafer rides up my stoma. At first, I didn't think it was a big deal. But now I'm noting that it turtlenecks to the point where the stoma is...
It's fascinating to me how this forum always has a post about exactly what I'm going through! You guys are awesome. I also just changed my system two days early late last night because I thought it...
Good luck Alison. I just had my first surgery 10 days ago and though it hasnf been easy every second, it is way better than what you are going through now. My good thoughts are with you!...
Congrats! I am so glad to hear everything went well. I also had some issues with hallucinations post op. It actually continued through me being home as long as I was on oxycodone. I never mentioned...
I'm just 10 days out from my first surgery and I want you to know you are definitely not alone. All those feelings that you are feeling, I have them all too and I think (hope!) they are more than...