Hey Bambi! I’m so happy to hear that your hubby is doing better. That really is such a relief. It sounds like you guys take very good care of each other. I’m sorry to hear that you are struggling with the BMs. I know how frustrating that is. I’m really afraid of having a large, formed poop; but then I also find that the looser and/or watery ones burn a lot. I find that it’s a decision between two different kinds of pain – tearing pain or burning pain. I am looking forward to the day when I can enjoy a good solid poop again!
I think you are safe to have the larger poops. My understanding from what I’ve read on this forum is that the poops get bigger after the surgery (which freaks a lot of people out); but post-LIS folks can handle it because things are looser and stretchier down there. The watery ones may just irritate the tissue. I know that many people describe having to force themselves to relax and let the larger ones come. But ... everybody heals differently and you are the best judge of what kind of poops are best for you right now. But I definitely know how annoying those loose/watery BMs are – what I find annoying is that for me, when I have a third or fourth BM, they aren’t even real BMs. Often, it’s just a little bit and I get annoyed that I went through pain and anxiety for so little!
When people tell me that their difficulties are ‘in their heads’, I always insist that what is in your head is never trivial and is just as important as what happens to your body. This whole experience has really taught me how much psychology is involved in good digestion and proper pooping. Of course, once we recognize that something is largely psychological, it helps us manage the problem a bit better – perhaps by using relaxation techniques. But psychology is a powerful thing, and even if your difficulties are ‘in your head’, that matters a lot and deserves hugs and sympathy too.
You have gone through and are going through so much that it would be impossible for all of this to not have an impact on your psychological condition. I'm just amazed by how well you are actually doing.
I am so, so pleased that your DH is not in too much pain. A trip to Vegas sounds great. I’ve been there a few times and helped subsidize the US economy! It’s really wonderful that you are both even contemplating such a trip. I was very happy to see your post, since I was wondering how you and your DH were doing – ramble as much as you like! We are here to “listen”.
Enjoy the chicken pot pie! (ummm ... that sounds so good!)