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had part 1 of the j pouch surgery on tuesday

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Posted 2/18/2012 3:26 PM (GMT -5)
Hi all,
The tuesday that just passed I had part 1 of my j pouch surgery done. I am trying to start eating solid foods. Last night was pretty rough for me I got very nauseated and threw up a lot of bile. I'm not sure if it was because of the oral medicine they had put me on or if the food was too much. All I ate was a tuna sandwich the hospital gave me and some beef broth. If anyone could tell me if they've gone through this aswell and they're recovery time or what you've done to try and get your bowels to start working again

Thank you!
Posted 2/18/2012 3:46 PM (GMT -5)
Walking will wake up your bowels. Walk, walk, walk.

Sue
Posted 2/18/2012 3:56 PM (GMT -5)
Do you have a blockage? How many steps are you going to have, 2 or 3. I had 2 steps and was in the hospital from Monday to Saturday. Stayed in town at a hotel til Sunday then my family drove me home. I really can't remember how long it took for things to start moving, but it seemed like my bag started filling up in the first few days. I felt pretty bad for the first 6 weeks and went back to work part-time at 8 weeks. It took a while for things to start looking up and everyone said to think of things in weeks, not in days because you can go back and forth for a while. My second and final surgery was much easier on my body. It took a long while for my body to get used to the pouch, but no real complications. I am almost a year out from my second step and feel good. I still wish I didn't have to have the surgery, but it sure beats the heck out of having UC (meaning I am still dealing with feeling angry I got UC and the fact that this disease robbed me of my health and colon).

As for getting your bowels moving, I would eat foods that you could mash with a fork (so I wouldn't get a blockage). Also, go over to jpouch.org. They have more jpouch people there who can answer your questions.

Take it easy and give yourself time to heal. You will be all healed up before you know it!
Posted 2/18/2012 5:00 PM (GMT -5)
Go slow with the food! Soft stuff, liquids, etc. for a few days. I've had good luck in the hospital with things like macaroni and cheese, soup, grilled cheese sandwiches, ice cream, yogurt, cream of wheat, pb & j sandwiches, etc. The tuna might have been a little too much if that was the first food you tried to eat. Your portions in the first few days should be really small, like 1/4 what you normally would eat. Chew thoroughly! Also, after your meal get out and walk the halls. It helps tremendously! I got in the habit of walking for about ten minutes five times a day while in the hospital: morning, after each meal, and before bed. Make sure you are taking in a good amount of fluids as well.

Hang In there, you'll be able to gradually eat more in both quantity and variety as the weeks progress.
Posted 2/19/2012 9:43 AM (GMT -5)
I switched from iv to oral pain meds before I went home, and then spent my first night at home throwing up all night. So sorry, it's horrible. I think it's probably the pain meds -- can you switch to a different one? I was on dilauded when I threw up. I just went on tylenol only after that and was OK ... some pain, but not as bad as the vomiting.

After my second surgery I had oxycodone, which was fine.

From what I understand, though, it's very personal -- not like one drug is better tolerated in general, each individual is different.

How are you feeling today? I hope you're getting better.

Tuna might be too much too.... agree w/Pancakes and her suggestions.
Posted 2/19/2012 10:29 AM (GMT -5)
     Yes, I went through that.  I only had one operation because my surgeon told me I was not a candidate for j-pouch.  It didn't matter at all to me.  Psychologically, I was ready for the "bag".  I suffered with UP for twelve years and ran the gamut of meds.

     I had my operation on a Monday.   The next day, one of the surgical resident's came in and told me I could eat the following day (Wednesday).  I was hesitant at first, but thought what the heck.  I ate a little chicken, a soft vegetable and lemon cake for dessert shocked . OMG....thought I would die that night.  Up it came and then some...along with bile.  My surgeon came in and told me I had to have the ng tube back down again...ugh.  He was right.  You wouldn't believe how much bile was brought up.  It filled two large flasks.

     Apparently, the surgical resident was trying to rush patients out the door prior to the July 4th weekend when she had duty.  My surgeon was LIVID that the resident told me I could eat.  He said, "Listen to your own body.  It will tell you when you are ready for food."  Needless to say, that episode prolonged my hospital stay and the resident had me as one of her patient's..lol.

Posted 2/19/2012 1:36 PM (GMT -5)
The throwing up is normal after surgery. It can be contributed to many different things. It will pass though and each day you should be feeling better. It was a good two weeks after my step one until I started feeling better.
Posted 2/19/2012 2:43 PM (GMT -5)
after step 1 I got very nauseated, my doctor had to put me on Zofran. My husband begged me to eat but I wouldnt, once I started walking around more I was able to eat much more and not have to worry about the nausea, the doctors told me it was normal. Make sure you stay very hydrated, I was told to drink gatorade psychotically and not to drink too much water. If I can give any advice let me know! My email is listed on my profile
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