Going under the knife again!

Crohn's Disease Forum

Help Support Crohn's Disease Forum:

Misty-Eyed

Misty-Eyed

Joined
Feb 6, 2010
Messages
1,398
Op date planned for the 25th. Only day surgery though. The surgeon said he's going to cut open my bum wound where's it's healed to let the discharge come out more. He's not happy about doing it and neither am I! It hurts now, yet alone with it sliced open again!

I'm actually more nervous about it than I was with my first surgery. Am I crazy? Lol
 
I don't think you're crazy, and I'm sure the surgeon wouldn't do it if he didn't think it was absolutely necessary. Hopefully this one does the trick!! Good luck!
 
No proceedure is without the 'scary factor'. I think he's doing what he thinks is best for you. And I know you are in good hands.

Just go in knowing it will help in the long run. Damn hun, I'm sorry.
Would some Ben and Jerry's make it better???
 
Thanks girlies. I think it's also because he doesn't want to do it - re open the wound, I mean. I guess opening up a healed wound goes against the grain. He did say he might have to repeat it again at some time too.

I just want to get on with my life. Arrggh. Still, I can't complain. Apart from this stupid discharge and lack of healing down there I feel great and have no other problems.

Misty- Do they sell fat free Ben and Jerry's? I comfort eat too much! lol
 
Good luck, Misty!!! I'm sorry you have to do this, but hopefully it will just help you move on! :)
 
Fingers crossed, Michelle, that this is the LAST one, and that you heal up in no time! And it makes total sense that you're nervous about this one...it's your tender tushy, for crying out loud!

And remember, all the best things are fat-free. (Although I don't guarantee that this is true)...

Wishing you lots of wellness,

Kismet
 
Hi Michelle, I hope this resolves your problems, i think we have to try to get these things sorted and not leave them to get worse. I am two weeks post op. Butt wound sore but gettin better. Stomach wound keeps leakin- almost like a drain. Not sure what to make of this. But like you, surgery has been the only option to resolve my problems too. A day is nothing after all you have been through Hun.

Good luck, Kaz xxx
 
Thanks for the support guys.

Aww Kaz, I feel your pain! The fluid is better out than in though. Have they said anything about it? No one warned me that I'd have loads of fluid leaking out of my bum wound after my op. I wish they had as it was a nasty surprise.

Living with my still leaking holes isn't as bad as living with active crohn's.. but I still cant stand up for a long period of time as it aches down there and I bled for no reason again last night. So I know it has to be done. I just wish I knew for sure that it would fix the problem!
 
:heart::hug:Hey Michelle--thinking of you--hopefully you can get things resolved down there. Try not to worry and be too nervous so you can heal, heal, heal!!! I know, easier said than done for sure. Hang in there! :Flower: Snap
 
Thanks Snap. Thankfully I have the option of working from home if I really need to. Glad I left my cushion at work from the last time I needed it!
 
My surgeon doesn't seem worried. The butt wound has been fine but I am scared to jinx it, cos you never know. Just my stomach that leaks.

You are only young and this is just a bit of corrective surgery. I am sure your surgeon will fix it for you - it is a walk in the park after the big op you had.

I am amazed how much easier this last op has been, in terms of recovery, because this time I am so well in comparison. It will be the same for you.

This waiting is the worst bit. Eat plenty of protein in the next few weeks, ready for healing.

Love Kaz xxx
 
Hello Misty!
Sorry to read you have to get under the knife again... I am not quite sure to understand what they will be doing but if they are re-incising the incision they made before, you can tell yourself it will be much more easier and heal faster too. I just had surgery this week, they again cut something like 10-15 cm and well since it was in the old scar site... I pretty much feel nothing as of now compared to the first time which is normal since the nerves are already desensitized. Plus, the scaring cells are already presents which improves the healing process both in quality and speed. Hopefully that one time will fix it and you will be good to go!
 
Kaz - as long as they aren't worried then it's all good. I know it will be a lot, lot easier this time but last time I was prepared to not have a life for a few months. This time I'm planning on being back at work on the Monday (my op is on a Friday). I am just worried about sitting on an open wound all day and how much it'll hurt!

Jane - thanks for the positivity. I think if it heals quickly it will be bad in the long term though. Some of the bum wound didn't heal completely and I have discharge from fluid collection coming out of it and a hole in my vagina wall. Neither will heal until the fluid is all gone. He wants to re-open the part of the wound that did heal to let more of the discharge come out by itself, if that makes sense. If it heals too quickly then the discharge will still be there and I'll go back to the position I'm in now. Also I'm guessing they won't be stitching anything up once they've cut it. I hope you are doing ok after your op!!!

Quite frankly, I'm glad that not many people get to see my ex butt hole as it will probably be messier than my bedroom by the time this is all finished lol.
 
It's got to work Michelle. I am sure it will!!!! I dont kow how on earth you are going to sit down for awhile. And work on Monday? Can you work from the lying down position I hope?

All digits are crossed that this will do the 'business' and heal up the way it's supposed to.
:hug:
 
Well we do actually have two sofas at work and I work on a laptop so I could go and lay on that instead until my laptop needed charging.

If it's really bad than I could just ask my boss to work from home. She's so understanding so I'm very lucky!
 
Hi :)

I had the same issue back in 2005/6. Although I wasn't sewn up (they left it open and told me that it would heal over naturally) I had a constant issue with mucus leakage. I too couldn't stand for long periods of time, and I would get this aching sensation. The fact that your team are having you in for day surgery must mean that they are confident that that small incision will do the job. I had to have vac pump treatment to alleviate my condition and although it took a few weeks, it did eventually dry up the leakage and I have had no issue since.

You're right in being concerned (not sure if that's the right word) about things seemingly healing too quickly, but it may just be that that procedure is all that is required. You'll be surprised just how much discomfort a small amount of mucus can cause.

Anyways, I hope all goes well and stay strong :)
 
Thanks, DMac. It's not actually mucus though. It's a whole lot of fluid. It's like having my period constantly but without the red colour. Attractive, I know! lol. But yeah, the pain I get is the same to you. It's encouraging to hear that yours all got sorted in the end! How long did it take from your op till the problem got sorted?

Kaz- you're welcome and anytime! After all, you have a lot going on and you still have time to come in here and listen to my complaining! Thanks for the tip! I shall look them up!
 
[Misty-Eyed] How long did it take from your op till the problem got sorted?
Click to expand...

I had the discharge for quite a while before actually having the vac pump installed :eek: The only reason I had to go to that extreme was because my discharge was so heavy. When I say mucus, it was more of a non-offensive fluid, than a gooey mess. I had a cavity quite far in and it was a constant drip, drip effect. I had to wear these huge pads, available on prescription and couldn't lay on my side in bed because it would run out the side. It was that bad.

St.Mark's then had no more option, but to open me up a bit more and get to the root of the problem and insert the vac pump. I had wear that for about 5 weeks and had it changed weekly. As time went on it began to decrease to to the point of being able to have it removed. Went home and after a few more weeks, with a greatly reduced discharge, I was able to actually stop wearing pads. It completely dried and I have had no issue since then.

So all in all, we're talking approx 2-3 months. It does depend upon how drastic the discharge is and how deep it goes. By opening you up a little more they will be able to gauge how deep it is and how much fluid you have.
Apologies for the long post, but I hope that whatever they do, you get a full healing. If it takes that little bit longer, then at least you'll know it has been fully healed. It will get sorted one way or another.

All the best :)
 
Very good information to have DMAC. For anyone as well coming on to the site and looking in. Thank you!
 
I agree with Misty! Thanks, DMAC. I also go to St Marks and I know my surgeon is very good and lovely so I have to trust them. Right now I just want it sorted. So glad someone else had a similar problem to me and got it sorted!! I am also glad to be a girl, even though it complicated matters. But it's normal for a girl to wear pads!

Thank you for the hope! And never apologise for long posts. The more info the better!
 
[Misty-Eyed]I agree with Misty! Thanks, DMAC. I also go to St Marks and I know my surgeon is very good and lovely so I have to trust them. Right now I just want it sorted. So glad someone else had a similar problem to me and got it sorted!! I am also glad to be a girl, even though it complicated matters. But it's normal for a girl to wear pads!

Thank you for the hope! And never apologise for long posts. The more info the better!
Click to expand...

Wearing the pads was slightly weird. Before I got the huge ones on prescription, I had to buy the maxi pads from the shops. Between you and me, I actually become quite good at recognizing a good brand. If they had wings, even better :lol2:

As a man wearing them, I had no issue. They served me well and kept me dry. It is the nature of the condition. Sometimes you have to adapt and be a little bit more creative :)

Take care.
 
Late to the party but just wanted to say Good Luck! Hope this does the trick <fingers crossed>

- Ames
 
:sun:Hey Michelle--I think that you will heal faster than you think. When I was 2 months postop I had a repair to the bum incision just above the sewn up arse-hole (gotta love the terminology Ames uses--lol). Anyway, it wasn't a huge incision and nothing like you are going to have, but it was cut where it had healed. I anticipated delayed healing, etc. Nope--it healed just fine. Hopefully you will have the same outcome once the fluid is drained and there isn't so much pressure on your incision. Did you have drains the first time around? I had 2 drains poked into the very bottom of my bum cheeks with the ends in my abdominal cavity. They were stitched in, the "hose" snaked around to my thighs, and taped to hold the reservoir container to my leg. A few times a day, the reservoirs were dumped. I had one pulled while still in the hospital (yeeeeouch!)--and one pulled in the Dr.'s office a few days after I was discharged home. To me, that was the worst part of the whole surgery and recovery. Try not to do too much postop, though. I know it's "just" a day procedure--but it is still surgery---and in a tender spot! Sending lots and lots of healing thoughts to you!:heart: Snap
 
That's guys! You are all the best!!!

DMAC - Wings are one of the best invention ever! I got annoyed the other day when the Sainsbury's delivery guy brought un winged ones as a substitute and my dad just accepted them. Argh.

Snap - Those drains sound intense! I had my op laproscopically so the only major wound I has was my bum. I had some sort of a drain in there.. not sure how far it went in. Then they stuck an ostomy bag to my bum to collect what was draining out! No one warned me that I'd have a bag on my bum as well as my stoma when I woke up! I didn't have the drain in for long though. Maybe 2 days.
 
Yikes! Gee a bagged bum sounds a bit uncomfortable--guess you had to lay on your side. Well I'm keeping my fingers and toes crossed for a speedy recovery for your next bum surgery. I'm sure you'll keep everyone updated. Until then, throw the worry monster outta your head! :pika: Snap
 
Thank you so much!!! It's all over with already! Had to be at the hospital for 7:30 and was first down. Was ready to go home by 12:30!

I was fine this morning though. But then once I was all ready to go down, they wanted a urine sample. I hadn't drunk since 11pm the night before and I'd gone to the toilet as soon as I got there. One of the nurses was really harsh when I told her I couldn't go after trying. She said I might not be able to have my surgery! If they had told me before I went in, I wouldn't of gone as soon as getting there. Plus I felt so dehydrated. Us ostomates know what that feels like. That bloody nurse made me feel so stressed out though.

Anyway, it wasn't a problem and I saw my surgeon before they put me under. He asked how i was and i said "yeah, im good thanks!" which is a bit stupid as i say that every time i see him! He said I am always smiling which is good. At least he remembers me for good reasons!

The surgery went well. They've packed it which I need repacking at the doctors tomorrow. They are also referring me to a plastic surgeon for flap repair. Does anyone know much about it? I hope it means I'll have the prettiest Barbie bum in England! It also hurts way less than I was expecting. I thought it would hurt the same as when I had it done in the first place but I can sit on it with minimal pain and am chilling in the sun in the back garden right now! Hopefully means I can go into work on Monday!

Thank you for all your lovely words and hope you are all ok!
 
I hope you recover well! And I hope you wonder why they didnt do it sooner.

May you have a speedy recovery!
 
Congratulations, Michelle, on getting your bum outta there so quickly! Glad everything went as well as it did and that you're enjoying the sun at home. And pooey to the nurse who tried to freak you out.

Enjoy the rest, and I hope everything continues to go smoothly and pain-free for you!

Kismet
 
:ybiggrin:SOOOO glad that you are home Michelle! Happy that all went relatively well and your pain is less than anticipated. Plastic surgeon, aye? Yeah--you will have the most awesome Barbie Butt ever! Sending healing wishes your way, chick. And to the nurse that gave you such a hard time--pooey on her-- I agree! Some people just don't get it--and don't even try! Oh well. I'm going to my surgeon in a couple of weeks about my bum---unless I talk myself out of it--which is a possibility! Keep us posted!:headbang: Snap
 
Thanks guys! Saw the nurse today to repack but she says the wound had knitted together nicely and looks good! Sooo happy! Still have bloody discharge coming from my lady hole though :/ Guess I just need to give it time and see what the surgeons say when I go back in 6-8 weeks.
 
That sounds like good news Michelle, hopefully the discharge will slow down as healing takes place.

Thanks for the healing wishes Snap. Good luck when you see your surgeon xxx
 
Woot Woot! Coming together nicely is soo wonderful to hear! Agree with Kaz---think the "Lady Cave" will settle down now. Just remember to take it easy as much as possible and get good, healthy sleep! :pillowfight: Snap
 
Thanks Kaz and Snap! Don't talk yourself out of seeing the surgeon, but do let us know how it goes!

I'm just so thankful to the NHS or I'd be in so much debt!
 
Glad the wound looks good and is healing. Sorry about the bits. Hoping it all starts healing up now!
 
I'm glad it went well! Hadn't I told you second time is much better? I was so amaze to discover that pleasant fact after my second surgery I think it worth spreading the news lol [I hope it's not just you and I :p]. Anyway, I hope that plastic surgeon will pristine you up!
Wish you smooth and easy recovery! Take care!
~J~
 
I just went under the knife this month too. I totally understand how you feel. I'm sorry and hope everything goes smooth.:)
 
Thanks guys! You were right, Jane! I guess after having something SO major for your first op, everything else seems easy in comparison!

Hope everything went well for you Maria!

I forgot to say before. Before I left the hospital, the nurse discharging me told me to eat lots of fruit and vegetables and high fibre foods so I won't be straining too much when my bowels wake up after the op. Thank goodness that's one problem I never have to worry about again lol!

Also worked from home today but didn't go as well as planned. Ended up taking a two hour nap in the afternoon. Oh well. At least my manager said to do what I could. Sleeping is healing after all.
 
Yup, thats why the hernia surgery was a piece of piss for me. After the BIGGY ops, why shucks, no problem!

Enjoy the naps, it'll help! Glad you are doing ok!
Huggggggssssssssssss!!!!!!!!!
 
Sorry I am late to this thread Michelle.

Just wanted to wish you a speedy recovery.
Take it easy and rest when you need to.

Big hugs your way hun:hug::hug:
 
Hey Michelle! How are you feeling? Glad the surgery was (relatively) easy and you are back home already. Try to take it easy. Rest, rest, rest. Even an "easy" surgery is still surgery!

- Amy
 
Thanks everyone! I'm doing well but my bum is so itchy! Good as it probably means things are healing but the discharge is still only really only coming out of my lady hole so not feeling hopeful that it worked.

I also think they made a new incision to the right of my old one rather than open it up. Don't you just hate when you don't really know for sure what they did? But the edge of the new incision is getting irritated from where it's rubbing on my sanitry towels.

Apart from that, I'm doing great. Hope everyone else is too!
 
Itchy is good (as they say, it means healing, but it isnt good when WE are experiencing it!)

And WHY dont they ever explain EXACTLY what they are doing? It isnt right!

Glad you are doing ok, and I'm hoping they fix the lady bit for you, or that it mends itself. You must be getting pretty darn frustrated.
:kiss:
 
Sorry I'm late too Michelle!
Don't know how I missed this thread, but I'm sending healing hugs your way
Speedy recovery hun xxxxxxxx
 

Similar threads

L
Seton
Replies
0
Views
958
LittleBluebird
L
C
Your thoughts, please. 10 yr old.
Replies
14
Views
1K
Crohns dad
C
Papantoine
Neglect?
Replies
0
Views
236
Papantoine
Papantoine
K
So confused after apparent relapse
Replies
6
Views
2K
Opieshuffle13
O
thike1966
Hotel Crohn's Forever, The Return Of The Fistula
Replies
0
Views
577
thike1966
thike1966

Latest posts

Back
Top