Getting back into the groove....

[ot dave]

Ok my wise gator friends.
I had a hernia repair at the end of July. While he was in there, he decided that I had a lot of colon, so he removed 7 inches before closing me up. My stoma is now considerably smaller, and more recessed. Now, there is some stretched out skin all around the stoma that should eventually shrink back up(the hernia was about the size of a cantaloupe, so there was a lot stretching that had gone on over the years).
I think I have solved my recessed stoma issue by cutting the hole a lot bigger than needed and made sure the bottom of the hole was a good long way away from the stoma, because that is where it was leaking from. Since I did this, the flange is holding up much better. Plus, I have started irrigating again, which has helped keep the output off of it as well.
My concern right now is that I'm not getting my 24 hours of output freedom like I did before surgery. I'm using a maximum dose of immodium to help slow down the transit time, but I'm only getting about 18-19 hours, then I start having movements while I'm asleep, and generally wake up to a full pouch.
I'm currently using a wound vac to heal up my incision that got infected. I'm wondering, if that 7 inches that was taken out made that much difference, or am I going to have to be patient and wait for my colon to catch up to my schedule (I just started irrigating again last week after not irrigating for a month), or if my body is trying to metabolize my input faster to get the nutrients it needs to heal up these two open wounds on my stomach?
Any thoughts out there on whether I'll be able to get back to 24 hours of output freedom?

Thanks for any input.

David

[steiconi]

Did you get antibiotics? If so, have you used probiotics to repopulate your colon? That can stabilize things.
I love probiotics. You can use live-culture yogurt, but I prefer capsule form.
I read years ago that Lactobacillus GG‎ is the best thing to use when you've been on antibiotics. Culturelle (in a yellow box) has that, and is available at Walmart, Target, etc, Amazon, probably most drugstores.

Aside from that, are you eating differently? Low residue foods, lots of liquids, other changes?

[Lisa]

I wish I had some good advice for you. You have always been so helpful to me. I'm still a newb here. I agree with Lee that probiotics are a good idea. Your system has been through so much. I do think with time you will get back to 24 hours. It seems to take a long time for bowels to "settle down" after they have been disturbed so to speak.

[ot dave]

Probiotics are not something I had thought of.... My GI tract certainly had a lot happen to it over the last month. I have been on antibiotics for a good part of the time that I have been out of the hospital to treat infections in my surgical wounds. If it doesn't improve when I finish with them/finish with the wound healing, I will definitely investigate the probiotics. Thanks!

David

[steiconi]

I take the probees along with the antibees. I like to picture them valiantly soothing my digestion even as they're knocked out by friendly fire...

[Murph00]

Hey Dave,
I'm wondering if a little more time may be all that is needed? You've been through allot and haven't fully healed yet. Your insides will still be healing as well. I'm not a doctor but maybe your system isn't taking all the nutrients it needs yet therefore allowing more waste to pass. 7" of colon doesn't sound like it would make a big difference to the amount of waste the overall colon can hold. Time will tell.

Good luck Dave, Please keep us posted.
Murph

[ot dave]

Murph,

That's kind of what I'm leaning towards as well. I'm still having fun with the wound vac, so I shouldn't get too concerned about not getting my 24 hours just yet. It's just hard, especially for us type A folks that like things to go a certain way, and they aren't....especially after having 6 -7 years of good results.
That said, I was able to get 24 hours yesterday, so,....progress!

Thanks guys.

David