Dealing with Post-Surgery Blockages and Clothing Restrictions

I have had several surgeries. Surprisingly, though, the first one was the biggest. The J pouch didn't work after many reversals. Now, whether it's due to scar tissue, I don't know, but if I wear restrictive pants, jeans, I get a minor blockage. I had surgery at Cleveland to address the adhesions. This helped a great deal, but I am still having problems. Has anyone else had this problem? Where basically all I can wear is sweatpants or things with an elastic waist? I feel old time.

Have you tried scrub pants? They come in all different colors, and I can even wear long underwear pants underneath mine for winter. 😻

There's also jeggings, leggings, or yoga pants; all can also be worn in winter with a cute longer sweater and some boots, or in summer with a T-shirt or tank top, or even a dress. Cargo-type pants with a drawstring are also an option. Then in summer, they have those cute beach pants that are light, airy, and comfy. This stuff is what I wear now; I can't wear tight clothes anymore.

Can you not wear tight-fitting clothes because you get cramps and slight blockages or ????? I can't even wear tight-fitting underwear. Everything people have suggested is basically what I live in. But I thought we were supposed to live like everybody else and not be any different. I can't wear jeans anymore. I'm not talking about tight-fitting jeans. I'm just talking about something that goes snugly across the waist. I don't know if I have a hernia or not; I don't know what the problem is. I just know that I can't wear anything that is restricting; I can't be out there like this.

No, not because of blockages. I can't anymore from all the surgeries I have had in the past year. The last two were midline, and with another condition I have, my skin doesn't grow back together normally like other people, so I have a lot of nerves exposed. Also, I believe I have a hernia, so it's uncomfortable. And my stoma is very soft and mushy, so anything that barely lays on it flattens my stoma or pushes it back in.

My Ostomy Journey: April | Hollister

You are the only person that sounds very, very similar to what I go through. I kept going back to the doctor saying there's something wrong. Every time I wear pants, I start getting cramps again. I don't know if they were minor blockages because everything did back up, and then when it did come out, it came out with a lot of force. This is so gross, and I hate talking about it. I'm just not one of those people that are open with bodily functions. I'm probably more on the shy side, which hurt me a lot as far as working with doctors. I now have a fistula, but I'm hesitant to get it fixed - I recently started getting back into shape, and I feel like if I have another surgery, I'm gonna lose everything that I've gained, and when will I ever get back to working out the way I am now? Life sometimes sucks. I don't know how people on here keep a good outlook. Sometimes I think maybe I'm having such a difficult time because the illness was not managed well in the beginning. I was in my teens when it started, and it was practically unheard of then for somebody of that age. Now it seems like every young person is having issues with Crohn's or colitis - I'm sure it has more to do with what we are eating, and it's sad what the US allows on our shelves. I've heard things from Ritz crackers to Gatorade, which I pretty much drink all the time because of not being hydrated and the electrolyte issue. I hate to say too much because I don't wanna bring anybody down, but I don't know how people keep such a good outlook.

No two days are the same for me; I try to keep a positive outlook and focus on what I need to do that day, but some days I just wish I had someone there to offer support and pick me up.

It's a difficult thing dealing with, firstly, the condition that caused the need for an ostomy and then dealing with a completely new way of functioning, diet, etc.

I understand you completely; it isn't easy, but we are strong.

Hey there, wheezie. My bathroom issues started at birth, and as I got older, it got worse in my teens. At 19, it was brutal, and that's where I spent my time for 17 years in doctors' offices. I went through over 39 doctors and specialists because they wouldn't listen or take the time and blew me off. So, I told them they were wrong, brought up suggestions on what it could be, and they blew me off. I went and found another doctor, and I kept going until I found one that would listen. It took a long time, and I never gave up and fought for myself. That's the biggest thing as a patient: to be your own advocate. You have to be. You know your body better than anyone. If you think a doctor is wrong, don't be afraid to call them out. They don't live in your body, and they sure as heck have no idea what it's like walking in those shoes. If you know it's different, tell them so and keep fighting and keep going. If that doc doesn't get it, get another one and another and another one if need be. A good outlook: we have two choices on how to be and how to look at things: either A. give up and sit in misery, or B. fight, be strong, and keep going and have a true sense of humor about it all. I choose option B. It doesn't mean you won't have bad days; we all have bad days. I have been knocked down and thrown around more times than I can count, and it hasn't stopped. I have really rare diseases I'm just now finding out about, but I choose to keep going. I have bad days where I cry, then I cry it out, pick myself back up, and keep going, having a true sense of humor about it along the way. And God gets me through and gives me strength.

My dog, Rocket, makes life so much fun! He keeps me happy, no matter what happens.

I didn't see your post until just now. I'm not a member, but I decided to go for it. I'm just trying to find out how to go about joining. Geez, not working for a few years has decreased my IQ, ha ha. Let me see if I can figure out where I need to look to join. Hope to catch up with you soon. Thanks for your post. It really meant a lot, and I can relate.