6 days post small bowel resection, feelin good...but

[Angie10]

Hi everyone!

Had small bowel resection surgery on Jan 7th. My surgery and recovery so far are going well. Little to no pain. Appitite is good. But, my concern is the BM thing! I have been having them frequently and sometimes they r more formed than others. Does anybody have any idea how long this lasts? Would taking something help? I feel so well and this is just a total bummer. I had my terminal illieum removed with just a very small portion of my colon. Am I just jumpin the gun? U all are so helpful on here! Whatcha think:thumleft:

 

[Angrybird]

How often are you going and what type of foods are you eating? After my op I was given a mild laxative called Milpar so my bm's were not too formed when passing through the new join in my bowel. Whilst in hospital I still had very watery stool with a few occasions of urgency, this did pass and for the first couple of weeks I was advised to stick to low residue foods and then when I started eating other foods to make sure it was still chewed thoroughly. By the time I went back to work 6 weeks after the op I was eating normally with one maybe two solid bm's a day

 

[Angie10]

I am eating a regular diet. No sodas. I was told I didnt have to follow any special diet. That it would take time for things to slow down. Never given a laxative. Was having loose bms at the hospital already. They said they will thicken up on average 2 weeks after surgery. Trying to stick to foods that are easy to digest. Maybe I am jumpin the gun a little? Just so anticipating feeling good and gettin back to normal life. But really with this disease, what is normal? .....hummmm.....

 

[sdexter]

Your bowels have been through a LOT of trauma, so yes, you are jumping the gun. My surgeon said you will know what "normal" is for you about 2 months post-op. I was alarmed the first few weeks with the "sudden and explosive" (ugh) nature of my BMs, but almost six weeks out now, and things have been really NORMAL (in every way!) for a couple of weeks now! I eat and drink anything I want to. I feel like my disease is completely gone...but I know it is lurking in me somewhere.
Don't fret..it will only get better with each passing week. Your body has been through a LOT, you realize. Check this out, and show your family or friends that are helping you, so they really understand:
http://my.clevelandclinic.org/servi...copic_ileocolectomy_basic_surgical_steps.aspx

Good Luck!

 

[Angie10]

Thank you sdexter! Good to hear some advice from someone that went through this. I know it will get better. But in the back of my mind....I question it. Guess I have to just breathe and let things figure themselves out. And I totally agree with u that you feel better, but its lurking around somewhere! That is just what happens! U can feel great one day, and bang! Thanks again

 

[ForeverCrohns]

I had one foot of my ileum removed and small part of my colon .. The dr said it can take up to 6 months for bm to be normal.. It's been 2 and half months since my surgery and I am still having frequent lose bm.

 

[Adam1971]

I had surgery about 6 weeks ago, and like others here have said, there is no normal yet. One aspect to consider is that any narcotic pain med is going firm things up a bit. I was worried about diarhea at first, but found I needed 2-3 doses of stool softener to keep from being in lots of pain in the bathroom. I'm still do not have any consistency. No rush...it takes time to heal and settle.

 

[Manzyb]

It definitely takes some time! I was shocked after the same surgery at how watery and how often my bowels were moving after surgery. It was bad! Glad you are recovering well and don't worry, things will get back to normal soon!