This topic is about someone who has been living with a colostomy for about a year and has just received the exciting news that their reversal surgery is scheduled for April 1. The person is feeling a great sense of triumph, comparing the feeling to being like Rocky Balboa, and is planning to celebrate with a vodka-tonic.

Here are some helpful insights and advice for anyone going through a similar experience:

1. After Surgery Diet and Bowel Movements
- In the first week after surgery, a mostly liquid diet is common, including broth, yogurt, and blended fruit.
- It's normal to feel anxious if you haven't had a bowel movement yet, even if gas is passing freely.

2. Pain Management
- Opioid painkillers can cause constipation, so it's often better to switch to non-opioid options like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or alternate with ibuprofen (Advil) if possible.
- If opioids cause severe side effects like nightmares, consider stopping them early.

3. Managing Constipation
- Consider using stool softeners and gentle laxatives to help with bowel movements:
- Docusate sodium (Colace) can be taken as 1 capsule daily, increasing to 2 if needed.
- Polyethylene glycol (MiraLAX) can be added at 1–2 packets per day for extra help.
- Ensure you're getting enough calories and solid food to help generate stool, as a purely liquid diet might delay bowel movements.
- Be mindful of protein or amino-acid powders, as they can thicken stool and contribute to constipation.

4. Care for Pain and Incision
- Many people find plain acetaminophen effective for managing pain, sometimes adding ibuprofen.
- The skin around the former stoma site can be sensitive, so change gauze gently to avoid it sticking to new tissue. Improvement should be gradual.

5. Signs of Positive Recovery
- Passing gas is a good sign that your bowel is starting to function again. A bowel movement should follow with time, diet adjustments, and possibly the use of softeners or laxatives.