#38 From Birkenhead to Philadelphia: an update on Rob's IBD story, a year after his surgery
Send us Fan Mail Crohn's patient, Rob returns to speak with us on Wrestling the Octopus: the IBD patient podcast, 12 months after his terminal ileum surgery. He shares an honest, detailed account of the physical and emotional journey of recovery, the realities of adapting to life after surgery, and the milestones that helped him regain confidence and freedom. He talks openly about pain, fear, hypervigilance, bile acid malabsorption, diet changes, medication decisions, stress and the importance of realistic expectations. He also shares the joyful moments that mark his return to normal life, from eating pizza again to weekly pancake dates with his daughter. 🧩 Key themes Crohn’s disease recovery and adaptation IBD surgery expectations and mental load Inflammatory bowel disease and long‑term management Ulcerative colitis parallels in surgical recovery Gut health after ileal resection Patient care and communication with healthcare teams 🩺 What Rob shares about the first year after surgery 1. The early weeks: pain, exhaustion and slow progress Rob describes the first two weeks as physically tough, with significant incision pain, low energy and limited movement. He emphasises that “recovered” means different things at different stages, and that early recovery is rarely straightforward. 2. Diet changes and gut adaptation For the first couple of months, Rob followed a low fibre, slow‑cooked diet to reduce strain on the bowel. He later learned that much of his urgency and loose stools were linked to bile acid malabsorption and the body adjusting to the loss of the terminal ileum. 3. The mental side of IBD recovery Rob speaks candidly about hypervigilance, fear of recurrence and overanalysing every symptom. Regular stool tests and clear communication with his gastroenterologist helped him stay grounded. 4. The twelve‑month milestone At one year post‑op, Rob feels about ninety per cent back to normal. He still experiences occasional urgency and discomfort, but the disease no longer dictates his life. 💬 Important insights from the conversation Recovery is not linear A bad bowel day does not mean the surgery has failed or that Crohn’s has returned. Comparison is unhelpful Every patient’s body, disease pattern and surgical experience is different. Stay connected to your healthcare team Rob stresses the importance of asking for help, especially in the early months. Medication discipline matters He encourages listeners not to abandon treatment after surgery, even when feeling well. Stress affects gut symptoms Rob describes how stressful life events triggered functional symptoms that mimicked flare‑ups. 🧪 Bile acid malabsorption Rob and Nigel discuss bile acid malabsorption, a common issue after terminal ileum removal. Nigel shares his experience with colesevelam, while Rob describes it as “Crohn’s lite” or “a hint of Crohn’s”, far preferable to active disease. Listeners interested in this topic can revisit episode 15 for a deeper dive. 💉 Medication and monitoring Rob is currently on Tremfya after other biologics were unsuccessful. He highlights the value of: regular stool tests six‑month colonoscopies ongoing communication with his gastroenterologist staying on treatment even when feeling well His recent colonoscopy showed no inflammation and excellent healing. 🍽 Life after surgery: food, freedom and joy Rob shares the moment his surgeon told him he could “do whatever you like”, which led to a celebratory pizza and ice cream. He now enjoys: beer and wine weekly homemade curries Mexican food running and gym workouts normal social life without toilet anxiety These moments represent major quality‑of‑life milestones for many people living with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. 🧠 Stress, mindset and emotional resilience Rob explains how stress from family health issues and starting a new business affected his gut. He uses walking, reading outdoors and mindful routines to stay grounded. He encourages listeners to find their own de‑stress strategies and avoid getting stuck in cycles of worry. 🏥 Surgery fears and decision‑making Rob contrasts his own readiness for surgery with Nigel’s earlier fear. For Rob, repeated blockages and NG tubes made surgery feel like a relief rather than a threat. He emphasises that understanding the prognosis helped him feel empowered. 🌈 Looking ahead Rob and his wife are opening WonderHouse, a children’s soft play and café in Pennsylvania. He reflects on how impossible this would have been before surgery and celebrates the return of normal family life. 🎧 Suggested follow‑up episodes Bile acid malabsorption – Episode 15 IBS vs IBD functional symptoms – Episode 37 Follow Rachel at @bottomlineibd Follow Nigel at @crohnoid
