Had step 2 of 3 on August 6th

Hey All,

Just wanted to give an update since I've really been MIA. Sorry it's been so long, it's just been nice not being trapped in the house for fear of not finding a bathroom. I've been able to go out and enjoy the summer!!!

Anyway, I had my 2nd surgery to create the j-pouch and give me a loop ileostomy on Monday, August 6th. I was original only going to be in the hospital until Thursday but the output was way to high for them to release me. So they put me on lomotil, Imodium and Metamucil all at once, 3x's a day. Well that was too much and I was barely having any output. So they kept me until Sunday to make sure they got things right before I could leave. It was very frustrating.

Once I got home I had a lot of issues with leaking under the wafer causing raw skin. And I was very sore after this surgery compared to the 1st one. But I seemed to heal quicker this round, probably because I was off prednisone!! I finally found that I need a convex wafer with a barrier ring but I still need to change this every other day or it leaks. I also take 1 lomotil with lunch and 1 Imodium at bedtime and that seems to keep the output a little thicker.

I'm back to working from home. I will be able to return to the office on Monday, Sept 24th. So that will be nice. It will feel back to normal.

Oh and one nice thing from this surgery, I lost some of the weight I gained with all the prednisone I was on. That was a bonus. LOL

I will try to get online more and post when I can. This forum has been very helpful in this journey of UC and now surgeries. Good luck everyone!

Thanks NSSG. I'm adjusting to the loop now that I have a system down. Plus once I starting using convex with the barrier ring I don't have leaks. Though having to change this every other day is the pits. With my end I could go 5 days before having to change. The ostomy nurse didn't think I would need a convex since my stoma does stick out quite a bit but it points down so I think that's why the convex is needed. Oh well. They are bigger than the flat wafers I used so I have to cut a portion away for my belly button and that is where they come loose. Oh well, I only have this to deal with until November 12th!! It will be here before I know it. LOL

You must be relieved that’s behind you! Loops can be tricky for sure. You using a moldable barrier ring? That might help. Also, I found that using a belt kept the bag and wafer nice and tight against my skin. Maybe try that if you aren’t already! Good luck and stay strong!