Eeek...first surgery on Thursday!

[Artificial]

Hello,

I've finally got a date for my resection (3rd May) it's been a long time coming but now I'm getting all scared about it.

I'll be having about 40cm removed of small intestine and possibly some of the largey too, depending on how much is stuck together in there (MRI looked a bit messy apparently) also with the possibility of a temp. stoma.

I've got a load of meetings/tests at the hospital on Monday but am wondering...so far nobody has mentioned prep? I take it I have to be cleared out before my operation?

Any advice about anything to do with the op would be fantastic...and please somebody tell me its not as scary as I think!!

Rachel x

 

[annawato]

Hi Rachel, Yes it is a scary time but only painful for the first couple of days- its amazing how quickly the body repairs itself . And of course all the drugs they pump you full of help a lot too. . I honestly can't remember having prep before a resection and I've had 4! I would think they would want you to have it and I guess they will tell you on Monday. i just can't believe how I can't remember - I know we blank out awful things and that prep is incredibly awful but its ridiculous for me to have no idea. I hope someone else on the site can help ??????? Theres a good chance they will do a temporary stoma if things are looking pretty messy in there, best to be prepared, but of course they will only do it if they feel its necessary for you to be able to heal properly and avoid complications. Should it arise there are plenty of people here who can help you out with any questions and the stoma nurses are usually amazing people too. But worry about that afterwards if it happens. i can't think of any particular advice thats helpful, getting up and moving as soon as they advise is good, fizzy drinks are a definite no no even though they are a clear fluid cos of the gas, um? I'm sure theres lots else I should mention but mu mind is a blank right now. Time for sleep I think, i'll write more tomorrow if I think of anything. Until then, all the best with the operation, It is certainly worth the few days of discomfort to have a long time free of crohn's pain so keep that in mind when you are feeling lousy.
love Anna

 

[JMC]

I took prep before my surgery, but I am not sure it is essential as I only got it after I asked for it. I felt it would be safer to be cleared out!

One key thing to know is, will your surgery be undertaken laparoscopically (key hole) or as a laporotomy (open surgery)? I had a similar amount of small intestine (ileum, cecum) and large intestine (ascending) removed to what is being proposed for you and had to have it done by open surgery due to the size of the fistulated mass. If they can get it out laporoscopically, then do it as the recovery time is quicker.

It's natural to be nervous, but it really is not that bad and you will feel lots, lots better afterwards. If you want more detail, there is sticky thread where I wrote up the full details of my first week of recovery. I ended up with a temporary stoma (3 months), which also has not been that bad.

 

[Switalski]

Artificial,
I had my resection three weeks ago in the U.S. (no stoma). I had to do a bowel prep beforehand, but it was basically the same as for a colonoscopy. JMC is correct that laproscopic is the way to go if they can do it.

A little fear is a good thing, but don't worry. You'll do well. I think it's best to have the bad parts of your intestines out. Good luck!

 

[Artificial]

Thanks for the replies

and thanks JMC for the link to that thread, I haven't read that before.

Surgeon said they are not sure whether they can do key hole surgery or not until they get in there. I'm not too worried about the scar just hoping it will be a quick recovery time so I can get out the hospital quickly!

x

 

[DustyKat]

Hey Rachel,

My daughter had emergency surgery so no bowel prep. My son had planned surgery and he had no bowel prep either. I once asked the question on here as to who hadn't and who had had bowel prep and more people didn't have prep.

Good luck hun, you will see my kids stories in the link JMC gave you.

Dusty. xxx

 

[kimmy86]

My 1st resection is tomorrow morning I am lying in bed now can't sleep absolutely terrified! I have not had to do any prep at all just nothing to eat or drink after midnight. I will try to update with my experience as soon as I can and it's over I'm so so scared xx

 

[archie]

Hi I had a resection over 1 yr ago and they removed just over 30 cm due to an abscess and perforation however it was still planned surgery not emergency. I didn't have to do a bowel prep and I didn't need a stoma. I had a hand assisted laparoscopy which basically means a slightly larger incision through the belly button than keyhole. The surgery went totally fine and the first week of recovery is the hardest (but not unbearable!!) try not to worry you are in safe hands and there are many people on here who have had surgery with great effect. My only advice is walk walk and walk somemore post surgery to get healing and things moving fast. With all the drugs it took 6 days for my bowels to work as they seemed to be enjoying the sleep. If you want anymore advice just ask. Good luck to both of you you will be fine

 

[Artificial]

My 1st resection is tomorrow morning I am lying in bed now can't sleep absolutely terrified!

I know how you feel! Hope everything goes well for you xx

 

[JMC]

My 1st resection is tomorrow morning I am lying in bed now can't sleep absolutely terrified!

Good luck! When you are feeling scared, breathe deeply from your diaphragm and try to relax. Also remember there are lots of people here supporting you who have been through the same thing and the vast majority would tell you it was not as bad as they feared.

 

[Heather_D]

Hi Artificial, My surgery was a little over 5 weeks ago now. I had to do a prep, like I do for scopes. I know it's really hard not to be nervous, but I really was way too worried about the surgery before hand. I thouht it was going to be way worse. I don't know if it's because I was in so much pain before the surgery, but I never found the pain from the surgery that bad. My full story is also in the sticky forum if you would like to ready more. Please feel free to reach out should you want any additional detail or have any questions.

Good luck!
Heather