Atoq wrote:It took four weeks for me as well to close the wound and I did not have problems with control from the start, although frequency was higher than normal. Maybe not having adjuvant chemo made the healing easier. My tumor was 5 cm from anal verge. Now I am hiking in the Alps (Dolomiti) and have no problems.
Claudia
susie0915 wrote:It does take time Mike. It will get better and will probably take quite awhile before you figure out what will work for you. Some can control with diet alone, others take fiber to help bulk stool along with some occasional Imodium or lomotil. After a short period I didn't have problems with loose stool much, but more with frequent small bowel movements. After trying many things, I went to the bowel control clinic at University of Michigan. The GI did do a couple tests, recommended pelvic floor therapy, meeting with a dietician, and tap water enemas. I do a tap water enema every morning. It takes me about 30 minutes and it gives me 24 hrs until the next morning when I do again. You are still very early in the process, so you may be able to control with fiber and diet like many. Just know there are things you can do to make your bowel movements more predictable and manageable. I was 15 months from reversal and even though did not have issues with incontinence, the frequency and unpredictable nature of my bm's were very disruptive. The enemas allowed me to gain some weight back because I'm not afraid to eat, relieved irritation to my bottom and the stress and worry of having an episode if I left the house. Also, I do them when I want so I control when I use the restroom. Doctors are starting to be more receptive to patients symptoms after reversal surgery and many will recommend daily enemas. It is quite easy to administer and 30 minutes in the bathroom is so much better than running back and forth 10-20 times a day. Just give yourself time to see where you are at in the next few months and what will work for you. The first thing I'm sure your surgeon will recommend is some type of fiber like Metamucil.
heiders33 wrote:If I recall correctly, it took me about four weeks for the hole to close up completely. Now I have a dent in abomen that looks a little ridiculous, but I think that's due to where the ileostomy was located.
It didn't take me too long to gain control, maybe a couple of weeks. However, I think my tumor was higher up than yours, which may make a difference. I'm sorry you're having these issues. I agree with mobrouser about what diet to try right now.
heiders33 wrote:NHMike wrote:Anyone have a rough idea as to how long it took for the hole to close up?
Foreveryoung wrote:heiders33 wrote:NHMike wrote:Anyone have a rough idea as to how long it took for the hole to close up?
If I recall correctly, it took me about four weeks for the hole to close up completely. Now I have a dent in abomen that looks a little ridiculous, but I think that's due to where the ileostomy was located.
I am worried about having a dent in the abdomen, do you know if packing the wound tighter can help prevent this?
Also can anyone recommend lotions/creams/oils to apply on the wounds from the LAR? My surgeon suggested vitamin E oil, and that's it.
NHMike wrote:susie0915 wrote:It does take time Mike. It will get better and will probably take quite awhile before you figure out what will work for you. Some can control with diet alone, others take fiber to help bulk stool along with some occasional Imodium or lomotil. After a short period I didn't have problems with loose stool much, but more with frequent small bowel movements. After trying many things, I went to the bowel control clinic at University of Michigan. The GI did do a couple tests, recommended pelvic floor therapy, meeting with a dietician, and tap water enemas. I do a tap water enema every morning. It takes me about 30 minutes and it gives me 24 hrs until the next morning when I do again. You are still very early in the process, so you may be able to control with fiber and diet like many. Just know there are things you can do to make your bowel movements more predictable and manageable. I was 15 months from reversal and even though did not have issues with incontinence, the frequency and unpredictable nature of my bm's were very disruptive. The enemas allowed me to gain some weight back because I'm not afraid to eat, relieved irritation to my bottom and the stress and worry of having an episode if I left the house. Also, I do them when I want so I control when I use the restroom. Doctors are starting to be more receptive to patients symptoms after reversal surgery and many will recommend daily enemas. It is quite easy to administer and 30 minutes in the bathroom is so much better than running back and forth 10-20 times a day. Just give yourself time to see where you are at in the next few months and what will work for you. The first thing I'm sure your surgeon will recommend is some type of fiber like Metamucil.
She or one of her doctors said that she would suggest it if things were difficult in the post-op meeting. At the moment, I think that it's going to be challenging getting to the meeting unless I get things under control.
cbsmith wrote:Your body needs protein in order for muscle and tissue to heal quickly. Not eating for long periods of time may delay the healing process.
Caat55 wrote:I am sorry to hear your struggles. I camt imagine how frustrated you must be. I tpld my husband about your comment about understanding why pepple get colostomies. This process never is easy is it?
NHMike wrote:cbsmith wrote:Your body needs protein in order for muscle and tissue to heal quickly. Not eating for long periods of time may delay the healing process.
I had a little dinner tonight. I've had maybe 500 calories over the past three days.
The wound healing is going quite well and I'm getting back the ability to do the abs-thingies (like getting out of bed) without problems. I have to use an elbow but it's better than needing help or rolling onto my left.
I took the Pepto Bismol and hopefully that fixes the stomach bug.
I also went to Planet Fitness this evening to get in a couple of miles of walking. It was Free Pizza Monday and they had a lot of pizzas on the table. Very few people actually had any though. I certainly didn't. But I was curious as to what it looked like.
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