Have had surgery for crohns now need further work

[Potatoblight]

Just over a week and a half ago I was told that I will need further surgery to remove a horrendously large parastomal hernia around my fistula. I think that this was sped up because for the last two months I have been signed off with clinical depression and having been to the dr today, was signed unfit for work for the next 6 months.

The surgeon also told me he wants me to lose at least 15 kilos to make the proctectomy easier for him to do. So I have joined a gym, wherei am walking on a treadmill with a large gradient and slimming world - I lost 12 lbs in my first week.

But I am concerned about a) the risks of the surgery and b) for my first surgery - sub total colectomy and ileostomy, I was given epidural painkillers, but there was an air bubble in the drip and not pain relief was being administered. This was found the following day....

That experience and whether I can lose enough weight and the possible side effects are making me scared. Does anyone who may have been through this have any advice?

 

[Trysha]

Hello Potatoblight
Welcome to the forum.
Well done with the weight loss---you must have worked hard to achieve that.
Also exercise can help relieve depression so you may find it more helpful in ways you have not thought of.
Hopefully you are being monitored by your doctors.
I would suggest that you can lose the weight having made such a good start.
With regard to post operative pain relief your medical team was not on the ball.You must let them know that the pain relief is not working for you,and make sure the next time around that they are aware and sensitive to the failure of the previous medication circumstances.
There will be other forum members along to give the benefit of their advice and experiences.
Feel better soon
Hugs and best wishes
Trysha

 

[Daisy123]

Sorry you are having such a bad time. You can refuse an epidural and have PCA morphine. That is what I did last time. The anaesthesiologist wasn't happy but it was my choice. Tell your surgeon about your concerns, it will make you feel better.

 

[Lynsey]

The same happened me during my first surgery which was a resection, the epidural had fallen out of my back but no one noticed and I was in agony.

My second surgery was a total Panproctocolectomy and End Ileostomy and I refused an epidural and asked for a morpheme pump. It was so much better.

 

[chuckmya]

I too had a surgery where the epidural had fallen out! They kept asking what my pain level was and I kept saying 12 on a scale from 1-10! Lol then they realized what was going on and had to replace it! Of course it meant sitting up.....ouch and having to do the whole procedure again!!!:ybatty::ybatty::ybatty: