Postby tarheelmom » Sun Jul 23, 2017 4:38 pm
I had my rectum and left side of my colon removed. No J-pouch. I'm 15 months out from the ileostomy take down. The surgeon told me that I should not expect my functionality to ever be the same but that it could be ok. I would say that he was mostly correct. It's not the same, and I spend a lot more time in the bathroom. However, for the most part, I can engage in all activities. I have had some instances where LARS is horrible, but it usually resolves within a few days. I take Metamucil every morning as well as eating a lot of yogurt. I stay away from uncooked vegetables, and I absolutely cannot eat green beans (cooked or uncooked). I am occasionally (1-2x/week) incontinent at night, but that's why there are AI (adult incontince) products. So bottom line - it's different; it's manageable; it can be embarrassing if you let it, but it's part of the effects of having this disease. Good luck.
52 y at dx, mom to 4
DX: RC on 2/22/2016
Stage I, T2N0M0, 0/32 LN
23 mm x 7 mm moderately differentiated invasive adenocarcinoma
3 cm from anal verge
4/12/16: ULAR, TME, & temp ileostomy
6/14/16: ileo reversal