Ulcerative colitis causes inflammation and sores in the lining of your large intestine and rectum.
The condition can be extremely difficult to live with, and challenging to treat as well.
J-pouch surgery is actually a series of operations.
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Typically, people with ulcerative colitis have two operations.
The ostomy is only temporary, lasting from three to six months, according to theCleveland Clinic.
Patients need to know what theyre getting into, he tells SELF.
It can help to meet your ostomy care nurse before your operations.
And after the surgery, your doctor might not be as responsive as youd like, Steuer explains.
I used to getterrible rashesaround where you would stick the bag on.
The ostomy nurses were readily available and were very supportive.
They deserve a lot of praise.
You may want to practice using your ostomy bag before your surgery.
She says the complications affected hermental healthfor the six weeks that she had the stoma.
I would cry, and Id have to run into the bathroom.
Anyone who is going to have this, get practice.
(This can be tough to coordinate for various reasons and maybe especially intimidating during the pandemic.
Ordering ostomy bags before your operation is useful.
The last thing you want to deal with when youre recovering is talking to medical suppliers.
Talking to people who have been through J-pouch surgery can be comforting.
It helped me knowing there were people out there that could relate to me, she tells SELF.
Hooks now uses her ownInstagramaccount to talk about her experience and connect with other people.
I’m trying to do the same and help the next person.
If social media isnt your thing, she suggests contacting support groups like theCrohn’s and Colitis Foundation.
Researching too much can cause anxiety.
If youve spent any time consulting Dr. Google (and who hasnt?
), you already know that in addition to good information, there are plenty of anxiety-inducing stories online.
Krevalin said that reading too many accounts of J-pouch surgery complicationsstressed her out.
And it triggered me terribly, she says.
You may need to change your diet.
Once your J-pouch has been connected, your doctor may suggest following a G.I.
soft diet for a while.
I ate a lot of peanut butter sandwiches and grilled cheese.
Certain foods may cause gastrointestinal discomfort, including constipation or diarrhea.
Ten years after her surgery, Steuer says she can eat nearly anything in moderation.
I eat fruits and vegetables.
I like to have some wine on the weekend.
Everyone is different, and you may always have trouble digesting certain foods.
Krevalin still avoids eating raw vegetables and sugar since they can make her feel sick.
Your bowel movements will probably change.
Shortly after her surgery, Steuer says she would need to go to the bathroom almost immediately after eating.
Poo-Pourri Before-You-go Toilet Spray is one popular option ($9,Amazon).
J-pouch surgery really can be life changing.
Deciding whether you want to have J-pouch surgery is a very big, and highly personal, decision.
The recovery honestly wasn’t that bad.
If it was on the table again for me, I would definitely have the surgery again.
I would have had it sooner if it could have eliminated the pain I went through for 10 years.
Not just the physical pain, but also the feelings of depression you may go through.
And according to theMayo Clinic, 90% of people who have J-pouch surgery are satisfied with their results.
