Home from Ileostomy reversal surgery

markatger
markatger Member Posts: 314
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hi all,

The reversal surgery itself was a breeze. I've hardly needed any pain relievers. I was also lucky enough to get a private room too, which made the three day hospital stay more comfortable. They kept me in hosptial possibly longer than normal because I had bowel obstructions last year following my original surgery. So this time my diet was advanced pretty slow.

No food or drink for two days. Third day I got clear liquid for breakfast and lunch and then full liquid for dinner.

This is day 5 post surgery. Sorry to be graphic, but its been mostly liquid output (diarrhea) so far. This of course is making my bottom pretty sore. I'm using baby wipes and diaper rash ointment. I took some Immodium last night to try to slow things down a little. And I had some control issue last night...oh joy (I'm trying to work on my Kegel exercises). But for most part, I'm doing awesome and am very optimistic that things will smoooth out pretty soon.

I had soft foods yesterday for first time. I want to eat more solid food because I am hoping it will help lessen the liquid output. My naturopath suggested using things to help heal and adjust my colon such as glutamine powder, acidophilus, cabbage juice, squash soups and adding some healthy oils to foods.

Any one else have other naturopath suggestions on good specific foods to eat after an ileostomy reversal?

If anyone has questions about the surgery, I'd be happy to share more about my experience so far.

Best Wishes,
Maria

Comments

  • jsabol
    jsabol Member Posts: 1,145 Member
    #2
    Welcome home, Maria! Great news about the surgery. Don't have any suggestions re: diet, but I'm sure others here will. My dad found that regular use of metamucil controlled what he called "the squirts", since he lost a big part of his large intestine. Have you tried using a barrier ointment? Supposed to help delicate skin to heal and stay healed. Best of luck in getting regulated; keep up the awesome attitude! Judy
  • ccartwri
    ccartwri Member Posts: 82
    #3
    Maria!
    Welcome home! I have my il reversal on Saturday. good to hear you are so well. My surgeon said she would be suggesting metamucil. But I dont have naturopath suggestions. It seems most greens, etc. that naturopath diets are high on would be worse for the diarrhea.
    Good to know about the baby wipes and diaper rash. I have a 13 month daughter so have plenty of stocks. Although, I did go out and buy some Poise diapers things last week. I had a gastrogaffin enema done twice in the last two weeks. To see if the tear from the dilatation and scoping had healed (got that done for a stricture in the rectum...). And I had weird diarrhea with no control after the procedure last friday for like 10 hours. So glad to have the Poise on...we had dinner plans with friends, etc. that I was still able to attend.

    Would love to have your direct contact info to discuss and compare as we are going through this. I will send you a message with my info
    claudia
  • Moesimo
    Moesimo Member Posts: 1,072 Member
    #4
    I am glad the surgery went well. good luck with the whole bathroom thing. Vaseline and tubs bath helped with the sore bottom for me.

    Maureen
  • AuthorUnknown
    AuthorUnknown Member Posts: 1,537 Member
    #5
    Congratulations, Maria! I am very happy for you. This must be a relief for you to go back to normal. Keep it up to good spirits.

    My thoughts and prayers for you.
    Eleonora
  • cherriann
    cherriann Member Posts: 155 Member
    #6
    hey great to hear the surgery went so well. heres wishing you the speediest recovery time. sorry no suggestions just best wishes.
    cherri
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #7
    Welcome to the world of balance, balance, balance! This much of laxative, this much immodium...sigh...but IT DOES GET BETTER!
    Here's hoping for you that better is FAST!
    Hugs, Kathi
  • cal79
    cal79 Member Posts: 57
    #8
    Hi Maria,

    Congratulations! I'm glad your surgery went well.

    After my reversal I could not tolerate anything like metamucil, but have managed to control things through diet.

    Some suggestions which were brilliant for me in the first few weeks: toast and peanut butter, sweet potato & pumpkin soup (very thick), rice, mashed potato, wholemeal pasta. Also, a high fibre breakfast cereal with hot milk works wonders for thickening things up! (I use All Bran - not sure if they have this in the US).

    For your bum, I would highly recommend Calmoseptine - it numbs the area very well, and contains only zinc oxide and menthol (I'm pretty sure).

    Anyway, keep smiling. I am only 6 months out and I have completely normal function, normal diet and take no pills, potions or anything else, so there is definitely hope!

    Cal :)
  • jenalynet
    jenalynet Member Posts: 361 Member
    #9
    Hi Maria,
    I am so happy that the surgery went well for you. I don't have any diet suggestions but I do wish you all the best at getting things back to normal. I will be thinking of you..Audrey
  • markatger
    markatger Member Posts: 314
    #10
    Thanks all for well wishes and congrats!

    Update : I have some solid output! Woohoo! It is still very small amounts and small in diameter. (Sorry once again graphic) This is too be expected because my colon and newly constructed J-pouch shrunk in size while not in use for 9 months. I'm still a little worried about blockages because of this narrowing and because I have had blockages before.

    I had a little bowl of oatmeal this morning and little bit of salmon last night with no problem...woohoo! I'm going to keep adding foods in and keep eating several small meals. And be patient as the colon gets streched back to normal size.

    Oh by the way...the butt burn is basically completely healed. I was using this natural diaper rash ointment that I got from the local organic coop. It's a brand called Weleda thats made with Zinc Oxide but other good stuff like almond oil, calendula and chamolmile extract, beeswax. I really like it it smells wonderful and feels really natural not chemically like other barrier type creams I've tried.

    Thanks again everyone for the encouragement : )
    Maria
  • markatger
    markatger Member Posts: 314
    #11
    jsabol said:

    Welcome home, Maria! Great news about the surgery. Don't have any suggestions re: diet, but I'm sure others here will. My dad found that regular use of metamucil controlled what he called "the squirts", since he lost a big part of his large intestine. Have you tried using a barrier ointment? Supposed to help delicate skin to heal and stay healed. Best of luck in getting regulated; keep up the awesome attitude! Judy

    Hi Judy,

    I've heard others get help from metamucil. But my surgeon and my naturopath aren't a fan of it for me right now at least. They wanted me to use Citacell instead. I think Metamucil is a mix of insoluble and soluble fiber while Citracell is only soluble fiber. I think they want me to avoid the insoluble fiber for now.

    I know Rodney uses it though with success and he lost his whole colon as well.

    Maria
  • markatger
    markatger Member Posts: 314
    #12
    ccartwri said:

    Maria!
    Welcome home! I have my il reversal on Saturday. good to hear you are so well. My surgeon said she would be suggesting metamucil. But I dont have naturopath suggestions. It seems most greens, etc. that naturopath diets are high on would be worse for the diarrhea.
    Good to know about the baby wipes and diaper rash. I have a 13 month daughter so have plenty of stocks. Although, I did go out and buy some Poise diapers things last week. I had a gastrogaffin enema done twice in the last two weeks. To see if the tear from the dilatation and scoping had healed (got that done for a stricture in the rectum...). And I had weird diarrhea with no control after the procedure last friday for like 10 hours. So glad to have the Poise on...we had dinner plans with friends, etc. that I was still able to attend.

    Would love to have your direct contact info to discuss and compare as we are going through this. I will send you a message with my info
    claudia

    I'll e-mail you Claudia!
  • markatger
    markatger Member Posts: 314
    #13
    cal79 said:

    Hi Maria,

    Congratulations! I'm glad your surgery went well.

    After my reversal I could not tolerate anything like metamucil, but have managed to control things through diet.

    Some suggestions which were brilliant for me in the first few weeks: toast and peanut butter, sweet potato & pumpkin soup (very thick), rice, mashed potato, wholemeal pasta. Also, a high fibre breakfast cereal with hot milk works wonders for thickening things up! (I use All Bran - not sure if they have this in the US).

    For your bum, I would highly recommend Calmoseptine - it numbs the area very well, and contains only zinc oxide and menthol (I'm pretty sure).

    Anyway, keep smiling. I am only 6 months out and I have completely normal function, normal diet and take no pills, potions or anything else, so there is definitely hope!

    Cal :)

    Thanks Cal for the specific food tips...I have this organic soup brand that I love they make sweet potato and butternut soups they are yummy and organic!

    By the way, I was also told to avoid metamucil.

    Maria

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