Posted 4/19/2013 5:15 PM (GMT -5)
Hi everyone!
I haven't been on here in a really long time but thought I'd post about my surgery. I had the step 1 of 2 for the j-pouch done on December 7, 2012. Surgery went perfect! Was out of the hospital in 5 days and off all pain meds a couple days after being home.
I had some issues initially with the bag and leaking but after switching to a convex flange my wear time increased from 24 hours to 3 days. Now I get 4-5 days in between changes after the initial stoma shrinking stopped.
I feel like a totally normal person, I don't care that I have a bag and I'm even a little nervous to have the takedown. It's so nice to not be in the bathroom all the time! I have decided to wait until October to do the takedown so I can enjoy the summer with my family. My daughter will be 2 in July and I'm so excited and thankful that I am healthy and can take her out to do things. I was housebound for most of the time since she was born. Not anymore! We even went to Mexico last month on a family vacation. Wore a tankini, nobody knew I had a bag :)
Sorry to ramble on, but I know when i was deciding to have surgery, reading success stories definitely helped me to realize I was making the right choice.
Take care everyone!