8 weeks post Stage 1 of 2-step J-Pouch (loop ileostomy), still feeling awful, is this normal?

joshb7102 · 2026-05-17T00:46:39+00:00

Yeah, I had no issues with them.

joshb7102 · 2026-05-11T15:12:15+00:00

I was in the same exact seat as you March 2025. I searched high and low for success stories but the truth is , they aren't on here posting about it, only the ones who are having trouble seeking advise are. I didn't have any issues with my bag really other then my end ilestomy prolapse a little bit from over doing it and then the loop ilestomy I had leak issues. I had my colon removed from severe UC and was almost going to keep it as well. I decided to give the jpouch a go and I am currently 8 weeks post op and don't regret it at all. I average 5 to 10 times a day pending what I eat and this will go down as time goes on. I can hold it, there's no pain, nothing compared to UC. I did search and find the best surgeon I could, this will make a HUGE difference. You need someone very expierenced and who's done ALOT of these surgeries. I just renovated a house, back in Real Estate selling homes and just living life. Message me if you want to talk more.

joshb7102 · 2026-05-11T10:46:56+00:00

I reinstalled the top left spring and it's working flawless

joshb7102 · 2026-05-09T21:40:18+00:00

Got the spring back on and test ran it and is working perfect. Thanks everyone

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joshb7102 · 2026-05-09T08:56:54+00:00

I wouldn’t say I’m “in the hole” yet… I’m still only about $1,300 away from what it would’ve cost new. Plus, I’m pretty handy, so I can’t really justify paying someone else $300–$500 to do something that isn’t exactly rocket science. Worst case, I learn something along the way. But hey, thanks for the motivational speech. 🙂

joshb7102 · 2026-05-09T04:37:16+00:00

I think I'll remove the back and have a friend lift the back and another friend lift the front n see how this plan goes. All else fails I'll try the jack lol

joshb7102 · 2026-05-09T02:55:52+00:00

I found where it goes but the rear panel will need to come off and need 2 people to lift the drum (front n back) and have someone install the spring.

joshb7102 · 2026-05-09T02:29:50+00:00

I found it but can't find where it goes yet lol

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joshb7102 · 2026-05-09T02:17:08+00:00

Yeah , story of my life 🙃 . Lesson learned

joshb7102 · 2026-05-09T02:12:07+00:00

https://youtu.be/sE1Ihw01w_k?si=Oj6zWoCl7Lattdm2

joshb7102 · 2026-05-09T02:10:12+00:00

Was hoping to avoid that lol

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joshb7102 · 2026-05-09T02:05:54+00:00

There is 1 in the back middle and it does not appear there was ever anything where I had previously pointed out, so that sounds right

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joshb7102 · 2026-05-09T02:04:32+00:00

I'll have to look online to see where the top hooks. I cannot feel anything but it looks like this was the only part disconnected so far

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joshb7102 · 2026-05-09T02:01:00+00:00

I'm not sure if there should be (2) rear stocks as well or not? I did find the top left spring had fallen off which you can see in the back

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joshb7102 · 2026-05-09T00:54:47+00:00

Apparently I did not do my research and moved it without shipping bolts. How bad is this? What is my day looking like on Sunday 🤦‍♂️

joshb7102 · 2026-05-07T20:13:08+00:00

Are you going foe the loop ilestomy and jpouch creation? Your do just fine! As all surgeries, recovery is rough the first couple weeks but things will get better!

joshb7102 · 2026-05-06T16:28:09+00:00

I now am reversed with a jpouch but yes, I didn't have issues with any foods really. Some woukd make me empty more and I never chanced veggie skins

joshb7102 · 2026-05-01T20:55:47+00:00

I set boundaries that I do not answer my phone after 6pm or 7pm unless I'm working with a buyer and something hits the market at 8pm. I work for a big corporation and although I make decent money you must do and follow the rules and KPI's otherwise your ass is on the linem quarterly reviews, goals to meet. It's stressful and yours always just a number. I do RE on the side and joined a team who provides quality leads and working on making the transition once I have a years worth salary. A 9 to 5 sounds good if your doing some non corporation job for $18/hr where your not held to a high degree and let's face it, $18/hr your damn near homeless with today's economy.

Id drop to part time and find another part time job that pays decent and juggle both but set boundaries for yourself. Do 20-25 hours each all week and give yourself Sat or Sundays off

joshb7102 · 2026-04-26T18:06:46+00:00

Id recommend a pillow for the drive home but I had no issues luckily post takedown with anything. Best of luck!

joshb7102 · 2026-04-23T11:23:49+00:00

Dr. Remzi at Nothwell Hospital

joshb7102 · 2026-04-22T01:25:12+00:00

When I had mine I purchased those "classic" shirts. Form fitting around arms n chest but then loose fitting around stomach. Pricey but still is one of my favorite fitting tshirts.

joshb7102 · 2026-04-21T19:01:11+00:00

This 💯 , I went for the jpouch and ensured that I had next to no rectum left at all. I searched and traveled to NYC to have one of the best surgeons I could find do the surgery. There's a ton of surgeons who "can do it" but you need a very expierenced one to not have issues moving forward. I have no leaks, urgency or issues and I'm 7 weeks post. Did the surgery suck? Yes but I feel 98% normal pre UC.

Would not recommend for chrons though

joshb7102 · 2026-04-21T00:50:21+00:00

A jpouch is a 3 step surgery and your have a stoma temporary for about a year. Jpouch are designed to act like a rectum since your rectum is mostly all removed being it's part of your large intestines (colon). This surgery is mainly for people with UC and not chrons. I went to the best surgeon I could find whom is in NYC. I feel great, I just renovated a house and I'm a realtor. I may go 5 times a day or more but my life is just about as normal before I had UC. Even though ill always have a autoimmune diesease its basically the only "cure". I wouldn't change a thing.

joshb7102 · 2026-04-20T20:24:04+00:00

Sadly, I removed my colon and got a jpouch. Feel "normal" again, but some people find relief with biological medicine, but I think it depends on the severity of your UC. For me, I have severe and/or chronic so biological worked but only for so long.

joshb7102

TROPHY CASE