Day 3 after surgery

[Hendaz85]

Just had a bowel resection done and being started on soft foods today. Anyone know when I will be back on full meals ?

 

[valleysangel92]

What type of resection? I had a hemicolectomy and was allowed to eat normal meals on day 3. Generally it depends on how well you tolerate liquids and soft foods. When you are allowed full meals build what youre eating slowly dont go for big heavy meals straight away.

 

[Hendaz85]

I have has illeocolic resection. Was meant to be laparoscopically but had to revert to open. Only starting on soft foods today. I am still not even very hungry ? I am scared incase the food comes out of bowel. I am weird !!

 

[valleysangel92]

You shouldnt have any problems, if it was going to leak then fluid would probably leak first. I didnt really start feeling hungry until i was back home with more choice. Im gluten free so hospital food is even more of a nightmare. You probably still have some anesthetic in your system and all strong painkillers can have an effect on appetite. Try not to worry about it, when your body is ready youll know. Start with little bits at a time .

 

[Hendaz85]

Did u have loads of pain. I am useless with it? I am scared to bend move incase it hurts. I need to man up ha

 

[valleysangel92]

For the first few days i did, i couldnt sit myself up or anything.. The other patients on the ward kept getting out of bed to pass me stuff! (Im always loads younger than the other patients on the wards I end up on, so they mother me haha.) Once i did start moving around a bit more and pushed myself slightly it got easier, its just getting through those initial barriers. The same goes with eating, once you start your appetite will slowly return. Remember that everyone recovers at their own rates so its not always going to be text book. What pain relief do you have? I had a morphine pump until day 3 then oramorph, tramadol and paracetamol.

 

[Hendaz85]

On the same but it's not regular enough. The hospital is clearly understaffed and I am not getting it regularly enough. I think I could maintain the pain at home more

 

[valleysangel92]

Do you mean the morphine pump? Those are self administered. You just press the button and it gives a dose. If you are on oral meds and its not working well enough you need to tell them. My hospital had pain specialists who came to see me. Good pain control is really important for your recovery.

 

[hainman]

i had double resection a few year ago,it was pretty painful as i was opened up and when i 1st got up to walk i was pretty tight around the stomach and it hurt like hell standing straight and trying to walk,even a sneeze was bloody agony,i was on light bites for a couple of weeks then slowly introduced normal food into my diet,i was pain killer free after 2weeks,got out after a week,everyone is different with higher or lower pain tolerance so dont beat yourself up about feeling sore,take what you can get for as long as you need it,and just take the food thing slowly,dont be flinging steak and chips down your throat after 3 days,

Hope you get better soon,

 

[HarryC/UK]

Hi you should be able to gently start with the likes of chicken, steamed fish etc and mash in the next 4/5 days, I suggest you ask to speak with your consultant about the pain relief you may get more att if he says something to the staff!

If you wish to chat some time my mail add is [email protected]

Best Regards
Harry

 

[Marx]

everyone is different to be honest, but I didn't start full meals until i got home which was day 6/7. If you tolerate the soft foods ok, move on to whatever you feel like having. But don't go crazy and have some steak or something haha and don't start with foods that used to annoy you pre op. introduce those a bit later. get well soon!

 

[Hendaz85]

The morphine pump was removed on day two. As they wanted me to have have oral medication. I have since been on paracetamol, tramadol and oramorph. I just mean the pain relief is not regular enough and I could control it more at home.

I have struggled alot today with wind ? Anyone have this problem? I know it is a good sign but it is terribly painful.

I have some strange fears of what will happen if I eat, use the toilet etc after this surgery but I know it's all n my head. Ha!

Thanks to those who have replied.

 

[valleysangel92]

I know what you mean, for me they alternated the tramadol and oramorph if i needed it.. So id have the tramadol then if i was in pain again before the next dose i could have oramorph, i never asked for it though, didnt get on with it.

I did have very bad gas pain.. Didnt you say they started your surgery as a laproscopic procedure before converting to open? If so they would have pumped the stomach cavity full of air at the start.. This can mull around and then starts moving about when you become active.. It is surprising just how painful gas is.

Those fears are quite natural, youve had a big operation, your body has had a big shock, the smallest thing can seem huge and daunting. You will get there though, go at your own pace, just a little step at a time, and youll soon be well on your way to a full and lasting recovery.