After closure of an IPAA, what is the average number of bowel movements per 24 hours?

After the surgical procedure for ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA), it is common for patients to experience an average of 5 to 6 bowel movements per day. This range can vary based on factors such as individual patient physiology, dietary habits, and postoperative adjustments.

The pouch created during an IPAA typically takes some time to adapt after surgery, and during this adaptation phase, it's normal to have a higher frequency of bowel movements. On average, as the pouch matures, the number of bowel movements may gradually decrease, but many patients find that they stabilize around this range.

Maintaining this frequency helps in the management of bowel function and can aid in the prevention of complications such as dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. Understanding this typical frequency is essential for both patient education and the management of postoperative expectations.