ileostomy reversal - the operation

Hi Paul,

I'm almost 4 weeks now and things are very much going in the right direction, very much looking forward to the 6 week point. I'm eating lots of different foods and taking soluble fibre supplement to bulk my stools. I try not to have too much insoluble fibre so it keeps transit times down. So far with this approach I'm having one big movement each evening.

I'm thinking about starting back at the gym this week just wondered when you went back and what you started doing?

I need to get some muscle tone back in my legs so going to start with some walking or jogging but what about weights. I was thinking just arms at this stage but when can you start work on your abs

Cheers

Hi Paul,

10 minutes walking, 10 minutes bike, bicep curls and stretching were the order of the day today all at a low tempo and light weights. Unfortunately there are no classes at my gym as its in the basement of my work. I'm going to play golf a week on Saturday, I think I'll wear my ilesotomy support belt. Football will have to wait until February.

Its a shame about the antibiotics, they obviosuly did something for you. I take Lepicol which you can get from Holland and Barretts.

http://www.lepicol.com/

Its the UK equivalent of metamucil that is mentioned widely on the web and in the MD Anderson Bowel Management programme. Its a soluble fibre supplement which helps to bulk stools and reduce clusteringa great way of getting the benefit of fibre but without eating fibrous foods. I take it last thing at night. I'm also taking a biokult probiotic every morning, just to help after taking the antibiotics for the C.Diff and a small prune juice before my main evening meal.

Fybogel is very similar and will do the same its just a case of finding what dosage works. Some produce more gas than others so its another thing to look out for.

Fingers crossed my regime is working at the moment and producing 1 movement a day and usually within an hour of eating my evening meal.

Thanks for the info Jeff, I'm going to start taking the fybogel after my evening meal, sounds like your on the home straight now it's great to hear your at the gym,back playing golf and  hopefully last year will soon be a distant memory, there must be a positive to take from our experiences,  one I feel is not to sweat the small stuff and I strangely feel happier with my life now.

Hi Paul. Ive just had my op last week and feel really good. NO painkillers from today and only going to loo around 6/7 times a day after eating. My question to you is ..."i fancy a few beer this weekend but nit sure how it will effect me".

Any advise mate.

Cheers

Andy leeds

Hi Andy

Welcome to the Ileostomy, colostomy and stoma support group and I see that you getting on well with your reversal.

I'm not sure if will see your question so I thought I would give you a response and to tell you that drinking alcohol and fizzy drinks,which covers beers and lagers  could irritate your gut and could cause problems with your output and I also note from another post that you have bouts of constipation and diarrhoea and having a few beers might affect your output also.

Please feel free to ask any questions on here there is a wealth of knowledge sitting waiting for you in the background.

If you do want to start asking questions it is often better to start your own discussion and ask questions, just press start a discussion when you are in the Ileostomy, colostomy and stoma support group home page and you ready to ask anything you want.

Ian

Hi Ian thank you for your reply.

no I don't have any diarrhoea just going more than normal maybe it's 7 times a day but feel like I'm fit enough to go out walking and maybe have a couple of pints of my dad on Saturday i.

youdefinitely disagree with this or advise me against it just say buddy thank you

Hi Andy

Sounds like a plan hope the weather keep good for you.

I only advise never disagree as we're all different individuals and nobody knows our  own bodies as well as we  do.

Perhaps you find want to post a little piece on how you get on with your outing on Saturday, I'm a great believer in everyone posting their achievements as an inspiration to others.

If you do have a couple on Saturday when you take the first sip think of me who will be wishing that I was allowed to have one in front of me.

Enjoy 

Regards

Ian

Cheers Ian.

I just don't want to drink alcohol thinking it will hurt my recovery but as I'm not on painkillers anymore even after a week through that should be ok