Posted 7/4/2018 1:35 PM (GMT -6)
The 8 weeks following my 2nd step were tough. The loop is difficult and things travel really quickly through you. I always felt dizzy and dehydrated. Please get yourself some hydration drops and add that to your water. Dehydration is the #1 reason people get readmitted. With everything you've been through, it sounds like you're doing really well. There were some tricks I used to tolerate life with the loop. I would never get up quickly, avoid alcohol/caffeine, add salt, chew food thoroughly to avoid blockages. I'd sit on the end of the bed and wait a minute before walking around - otherwise I could get very dizzy. My blood pressure was always very low. I would also take imodium a few times a day (ask your surgeon if this is an option for you). I used one-piece ostomy bags. Though I always preferred two-piece systems with my end, with the loop, I was changing it constantly because of leaks, and one-piece was easier and quicker. I kept a lot of different rings and pastes around with the loop. I didn't need any of that with my end ileo, so needing it suddenly was strange. Most importantly, take it easy and take the time you need to heal. Don't lift anything heavy.