The Colon Club

O Stoma Mia wrote:Is your sheet of massage instructions something like this one?

Abdominal massage for constipation
https://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/resources/patient-information/gi/abdominal-massage-for-constipation.pdf

or this one?

Abdomen self massage for constipation
http://www.youtube.com/embed/N39GIWquhWg/?rel=0&autoplay=1

Aqx99 wrote:... No. The massage technique my pelvic physical therapist has me doing focuses on activating the ileocecal valve, then getting the "kinks out of the hose" by massaging the hepatic flexure toward the belly button, then the splenic flexure, and finally the sigmoid colon. My anatomy is a bit different because of my LAR, but the principle is the same.

The Magic of Sleeping on the Left Side
Better Elimination
The small intestine dumps waste through the ileocecal valve (ICV) on the right side of the body into the beginning of the large intestine. The large intestine travels up the right side of the belly across the tummy, where it dumps waste into the descending colon on the left side.

Sleeping on the left side allows gravity to encourage the food waste to move more easily from the small intestine into the large intestine through the ICV.
As the night wears on and you continue to sleep on your left side, the waste moves more easily into the descending colon. With the help of gravity and a good night’s sleep on the left side, the descending colon is full of waste and ready to easily and completely eliminate in the morning.

Ref: https://lifespa.com/amazing-benefits-of-sleeping-on-your-left-side/

O Stoma Mia wrote:

Aqx99 wrote:... No. The massage technique my pelvic physical therapist has me doing focuses on activating the ileocecal valve, then getting the "kinks out of the hose" by massaging the hepatic flexure toward the belly button, then the splenic flexure, and finally the sigmoid colon. My anatomy is a bit different because of my LAR, but the principle is the same.

Tell me, did your physical therapist ever ask you which side you typically sleep on at night? Left side, right side? Maybe something to consider ...

The Magic of Sleeping on the Left Side
Better Elimination
The small intestine dumps waste through the ileocecal valve (ICV) on the right side of the body into the beginning of the large intestine. The large intestine travels up the right side of the belly across the tummy, where it dumps waste into the descending colon on the left side.

Sleeping on the left side allows gravity to encourage the food waste to move more easily from the small intestine into the large intestine through the ICV.
As the night wears on and you continue to sleep on your left side, the waste moves more easily into the descending colon. With the help of gravity and a good night’s sleep on the left side, the descending colon is full of waste and ready to easily and completely eliminate in the morning.

Ref: https://lifespa.com/amazing-benefits-of-sleeping-on-your-left-side/

heiders33 wrote:How much time have you taken off work? Has it mainly been to stabilize any bowel issues? I am nervous because my reversal is on March 12, and I have only requested one week off. Should I stay home the second week? I have a key hire to make and need to do some interviews, but am anxious that I won’t be able to make it into the office for those because I’ll be tied to the toilet.

Great news on your progress!

Aqx99 wrote:I had a very informative session with my pelvic physical therapist yesterday. She taught me the massage technique to help me have an emptying bowel movement, instead of clustering. It will take some practice to get it right, but I could tell it helped this morning.