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Had step 2 of 3 on August 6th

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Had step 2 of 3 on August 6th  
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Woogy
Regular Member
Joined : Apr 2004
Posts : 181
Posted 9/14/2018 12:20 PM (GMT -7)
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!
~Diagnosed in 2001 - Left Side UC
-Prednisone 2.5 mg
-Vit D, Vit C, Multivitamin

Previously tried colozal, lialda, asipro, sulfasalazine, rowasa, canasa, hydrocortisone enemas and imuran - they all failed or made symptoms worse.

**Step 1 of 3 - Surgery on 1/29/18**
**Step 2 of 3 - Surgery on 8/6/18**
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notsosicklygirl
Forum Moderator
Joined : Dec 2008
Posts : 17164
Posted 9/14/2018 1:58 PM (GMT -7)
Great news that you're getting your life back. I had a lot of trouble with my loop and leaking under the wafer, even with a convex. It was surprising to me since my end ileo was so easy to manage. The loop never got easier for me, but I lost all my pred weight, and I simply look different now, more like how I looked before UC. I had a lot of weight fluctuation when I had UC, probably from being on long courses of pred... It was weird, i looked puffy and chubby. I am back to my normal self now.

Congrats on getting past step 2. It's a breeze from here. Just remember, there's a long adjustment after the reconnetion. Also, the loop is temp, so don't let it get you down if it's difficult. You will win in the end!
Moderator: UC
Currently: no meds 6/15 Step 1 J-pouch Surgery Complete 9/15 Step 2 Complete 11/15 Step 3 Complete
From Sickly to UC Free

Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day; teach a man to fish and he will eat for a lifetime; give a man religion and he will die praying for a fish
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Woogy
Regular Member
Joined : Apr 2004
Posts : 181
Posted 9/14/2018 2:33 PM (GMT -7)
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
~Diagnosed in 2001 - Left Side UC
-Prednisone 2.5 mg
-Vit D, Vit C, Multivitamin

Previously tried colozal, lialda, asipro, sulfasalazine, rowasa, canasa, hydrocortisone enemas and imuran - they all failed or made symptoms worse.

**Step 1 of 3 - Surgery on 1/29/18**
**Step 2 of 3 - Surgery on 8/6/18**
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3timechamp
Veteran Member
Joined : Oct 2009
Posts : 1318
Posted 9/14/2018 5:05 PM (GMT -7)
Woogy it all gets better as time passes. It's really one day at a time. While we are going thru all the adjustments that each surgery throws at us we learn to adjust wether we want to or not. We're the class of 2018 u,me,Valli and Songlady. Good luck and let us know how everything goes with you. Woog where are u having your surgeries??
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Doggiedo
Veteran Member
Joined : Jan 2014
Posts : 738
Posted 9/14/2018 6:27 PM (GMT -7)
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!
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Woogy
Regular Member
Joined : Apr 2004
Posts : 181
Posted 9/14/2018 8:14 PM (GMT -7)
Hey Champ,

I'm having my surgeries at Northwestern Hospital in Chicago. I chose Dr. Strong as my surgeon as he came here from the Cleveland Clinic. Plus he has great reviews. He really is an outstanding surgeon.

Doggiedo,
Unfortunately I have to wear my wafers at an angle since my stoma is close to my belly button. Plus my incision in my belly button still is not closed all the way. Otherwise I would wear a belt to help keep everything tight.
~Diagnosed in 2001 - Left Side UC
-Vit D, Vit C, Multivitamin

Previously tried colozal, lialda, asipro, sulfasalazine, rowasa, canasa, hydrocortisone enemas, Imuran and Humira - they all failed or made symptoms worse.

**Step 1 of 3 - Surgery on 1/29/18**
**Step 2 of 3 - Surgery on 8/6/18**
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