Beginning to eat after surgery

[dozey-dormouse]

Hi,
I had to have emergency surgery after IV steroids/cyclosporine treatment failed. I've been in hospital since 3rd May, surgery was on 17th to totally remove colon. I was really poorly, unconscious in ICU for days, then when moved to the ward I was informed I had 'ileus' where my ileum was frozen so nothing would move and the stoma wasn't working. I keep throwing up about 600ml green bile, but now a little bile is moving into the stoma. I had a scan which revealed a hematoma, whilst I was being g sick one night my stitches burst and approx 1000ml blood came out (the now liquified hematoma)
Today, I finally managed to drag myself out of bed for half an hour which coincided with when the doctor was doing his rounds and he said 'you're doing better up in the chair, let's reduce your iv fluids, take out the pca (pain relief) and get you eating and drinking.
So, considering how sick I feel, with no appetite and terrible pain throughout, what does everyone suggest I eat? I haven't eaten since before the op, almost 3 weeks ago. Anyone experienced similar? Tia xxx

 

[Daisy123]

It will take time to get your appetite back. Haven't the hospital put you on a low residue diet? Are you on nutrition drinks? I would have thought perhaps toast, and plain food. Sorry you have had such a dreadful time.

 

[2thFairy]

The hospital SHOULD be the one to tell you what to eat and should be starting you on a liquid diet for a few days, then a low-residue diet with soft foods. I also had problems with ileus and had an extended hospital stay after colectomy. It took a few months for me to get my appetite back, but I forced myself to eat very small meals anyway. Once my appetite kicked in, I felt like I could never get enough food!

Everything is brand new and it will get better. Colectomy is a big shock to your body and there will be many adjustments.

 

[dozey-dormouse]

I had a few tbsp of soup and was in horrendous pain for hours, managed to sleep a bit then was sick violently again. When will I ever be able to eat again?

 

[2thFairy]

It was day 5 or 6 when my gut finally woke up and started working.

 

[DJW]

Hi. I know from personal experience it can take longer for everything to start working again after emergency surgery. Keep the nurses posted, keep the dr posted.

Sending you my support and hope you feel better soon

 

[dozey-dormouse]

It's been 10 days now since the op.

 

[Scifimom]

I had my first sips or water 14 days after the operation (no colon removal just some cms of bowel removed). When I left the hospital I could eat watery soup, a few spoons of yogurt or some custard and that was it. (That was 4 weeks after op). I Drank some liquids also (a few sips of OJ or some tea) My mother was cooking for me and she was making everything bland and pureed. It took me like 8 weeks to eat non pureed food and about 4 months to start eating like a human and not like a baby. It sucks, I know but you will feel better eventually.

 

[Fififluff]

I wasn't allowed any food for about 6-7 weeks after surgery due to complications, doctors dictated what I was allowed and how much, was only allowed sips of water or ice for most of the 2 months in hospital. Was eventually allowed jelly and clear soup,then light diet, however I had to have an NG feed as totally lost my appetite, one week of that and it really came back, now I can't stop eating.
You need to do what doctors suggests. Good luck

 

[Fififluff]

I remember not long after I got home I had coleslaw, teaspoon worth and was in agony for hours, most pain I'd had in a while, was still a bit sore the next day. Have managed it since. My stoma nurse said try something 3 times and if it still doesn't agree then don't have it again.
It has not been long for you. It will take a while but it does get better, I now try anything and see how my stoma copes.

 

[dozey-dormouse]

Feeling better now, eating fairly normally, how do any of you get more salt in your diet? I've been told I should!

 

[Daisy123]

:lol: I eat crisps

 

[2thFairy]

I eat crisps, black olives, and more French fries than I ever did before colectomy. The first part of my life I preferred bland food and rarely added salt to anything. It took awhile for me to adjust to having salty things added, but I did get used to it. I've had my stoma for 2-1/2 years and can now tell when I need more salt before it becomes a more urgent matter.