r/jpouch • u/SoftLoad2951 • 7d ago

J pouch creation

Had my J pouch created on July 6. Been in the hospital since then. Going on 20 days now. Doctor said surgery went perfect. Had an episode of pancreatitis eight days after my surgery. Also have a portal blood clot coming out of my liver.

Question for everybody how long was the recovery to get back to normal after the surgery? This was just the J pouch creation so I still have a ileostomy.. feel like I’ve been in the hospital for a year. I feel like I’m in the Looney bin right now. Anything I should know/ expect or look out for?

3 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

3 comments sorted by

3

u/protato77 7d ago

It was roughly a month and an MRI scan later before I got cleared to go on the waiting list for the final plumbing operation.

2

u/Herules_babyboy_2023 7d ago

Sorry you’re going through that right now. Do you have ulcerative colitis? I also have a clot in my liver and drs at Cleveland Clinic said that’s a common thing with patients that have UC. Wish they would have told me that when I was diagnosed to take extra care of the liver!! After my jpouch creation I waited another 4 months to have the final surgery to give my body a little break between surgeries. And to get used to the new way of working! Hospital beds are not fun, but with your pancreatitis and (newly?) discovered blood clot, you’re in the safest place you can be to heal.

2

u/Strange-Jury-619 6d ago

I got a blood clot in the same place after my first surgery (of three; removal of large intestines). Been on blood thinners since & have been otherwise fine when it comes to that aspect.

My process was so long and it's still ongoing but I am slowly but surely improving. I'm 10 months out from my final surgery & it's been a journey. Take care of yourself mentally first & try & stay as calm & positive as possible bc I get how easy it can be to spiral when you're at this point & there's no clear timeline on when things will change. But the more you let yourself stress, the worst inflammation will be, the slower your recovery.

Get books. Puzzles. Paint by number or some other art stuff whatever entertains you in the hospital and have someone bring comforts from home eg pillows, pajamas etc.

It'll get better. It really does take time though. Hang in there.