Having a bowel resection tomorrow and panicking. I need a pep talk!
- Thread starter Tamar
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It's totally normal to be anxious before having surgery, so you're definitely not alone there!
I've had four surgeries in the last 15 months and can honestly say that they don't bother me at all now, I particularly like having the general anesthetic.... Sure it hurts straight after, but you'll have plenty of pain meds to keep you comfortable and it's surprising how quickly the pain becomes manageable and bearable. Try to move about as much as you can, walking will help get your bowels going and will make your recovery so much easier.
Make sure you've got some books to read, I like puzzle books when I'm in hospital
oh and some snacks in case the hospital food isn't up much.
My surgeon told me before my first surgery, that while most people feel horrendous after bowel surgery, He's found that his IBD patients always feel so much better straight after because of what they deal with before it!
I don't know if any of that is helpful? My biggest piece of advice is to make sure you put your gown on the right way round! Unlike the lad in the room opposite me during my last surgery who went off to theatre with his on back to front (with the opening at the front!!!)
You will be fine, we're all rooting for you! Let us know how it goes when you're feeling up to it
Best wishes and big hugs x
I've had four surgeries in the last 15 months and can honestly say that they don't bother me at all now, I particularly like having the general anesthetic.... Sure it hurts straight after, but you'll have plenty of pain meds to keep you comfortable and it's surprising how quickly the pain becomes manageable and bearable. Try to move about as much as you can, walking will help get your bowels going and will make your recovery so much easier.
Make sure you've got some books to read, I like puzzle books when I'm in hospital
oh and some snacks in case the hospital food isn't up much. My surgeon told me before my first surgery, that while most people feel horrendous after bowel surgery, He's found that his IBD patients always feel so much better straight after because of what they deal with before it!
I don't know if any of that is helpful? My biggest piece of advice is to make sure you put your gown on the right way round! Unlike the lad in the room opposite me during my last surgery who went off to theatre with his on back to front (with the opening at the front!!!)
You will be fine, we're all rooting for you! Let us know how it goes when you're feeling up to it
Best wishes and big hugs x
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Thanks so much Lucinda! I think it will be a few days until I can eat anything solid, but as soon as I am allowed to have anything other than liquids I will make sure someone runs out and finds me some snacks! And I will most definitely make sure my gown is on the right way. That is hilarious! I will try to update tomorrow or the day after.
You are such a trooper having four major belly surgeries. Thanks for your kind wishes and thoughts.
You are such a trooper having four major belly surgeries. Thanks for your kind wishes and thoughts.
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Hello Tamar!
It's definitely normal to be nervous before any surgery, especially bowel surgery.
I found it helpful to focus on all the things I'd be able to do after my recovery that I couldn't do before surgery, simple things like eating a full meal and not throwing up, or going to bed at night knowing I'd not wake in pain because something got stuck.. To bigger things like getting back independence, being able to get on a train to spend time with my partner, so focus on your out come. Obviously it's not a cure but it can make things soooo much better.
I asked the nurse to check my gown for me
Keep your head up, we're all here for you and we'll do everything we can to support you through this
It's definitely normal to be nervous before any surgery, especially bowel surgery.
I found it helpful to focus on all the things I'd be able to do after my recovery that I couldn't do before surgery, simple things like eating a full meal and not throwing up, or going to bed at night knowing I'd not wake in pain because something got stuck.. To bigger things like getting back independence, being able to get on a train to spend time with my partner, so focus on your out come. Obviously it's not a cure but it can make things soooo much better.
I asked the nurse to check my gown for me
Keep your head up, we're all here for you and we'll do everything we can to support you through this
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Thank you Nicola! Do you mind me asking, what was your recovery like after your surgery? I think yours is similar to what I am having. Did you have a lot of nausea the first couple of days or bad pain? I have been trying to think positive, but I am a naturally anxious person so it's hard.
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My recovery was fairly smooth, I did have pain , but once I learnt how to use the morphine pump it was quickly controlled, I had a little problem with my breathing, I had to have some nebulizers, but I have asthma and it can be quite severe, so that's why.. I only really had nausea twice in the hospital, once because the physio tried to get me out of bed in a very weird way, and I hadn't even sat up yet, so wasn't ready, I was sick then, the second time was when I'd had the PCA removed and was on oramorph which made me feel queasy, but that didn't last long. The best thing to do is be verbal, if the pain is bad, tell someone, if you feel sick, tell someone. Also, get moving as soon as you feel able, it helps loads with gas pains which you can get a lot of, especially with key hole surgery, and it also helps to get you home quicker. When you start eating, have small, softish food, don't try to have a big meal at once and don't go for anything with too much fibre.
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Hello Tamar, hubby recovery was good the first night was hard once the anesthesia wore off like Nicola once he learned how to use the pump he was fine. I will keep you in prayer and sending:ghug: your way.
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I had a resection in 2010. I was nervous before the surgery. They tried to get me up and moving the morning after. For me, it wasn't until the second day. Make sure you have something to read or something you enjoy doing. With me they made sure I took walks around the hospital twice a day. After I got home they sent a person to the home twice a week for therapy. You will do fine. Let us know how you are when you feel up to it.:thumbup:
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Good luck! I hope everything goes well and your recovery is smooth and uneventful. Let us know how things are going when you feel up to it .
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Glad it went well, soreness is definitely normal, rest up, make the most of the pain relief and relax as best you can .
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So glad to hear you're ok.
Lots of rest, walk when you can and take care! X
Lots of rest, walk when you can and take care! X
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Glad your ok get lots of rest.
Tamar I am having this surgery in the next few weeks so I was interested to read your post. Was so glad you came through good and I am thinking of you and wishing you a speedy recovery. I loved reading what everyone else had to write as well, as much as helping Tamar you were putting my mind at ease.
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Hey everybody!
I finally got home from the hospital yesterday afternoon. I am so relieved to be back in my own bed since sleeping at an NYC hospital is IMPOSSIBLE. Everything was so loud haha. Anyway the surgery went perfectly. The surgeon told my family that the section of bowel they removed was so scarred that it was literally like a pinhole in diameter.
I am allowed to take two, but I am currently taking one 5-325 oxycodone-acetaminophen about every 3 to 4 hours which seems to help with most of the pain. I think 2 would just put me right to sleep! I am actually pretty surprised at where the pain is located.. I had expected more soreness in the lower abdomen, but most of it seems to be located in the upper abdomen between my belly button and sternum, and I am also very sore in my lower back and my neck. So weird! Has anyone else had this experience?
Anyway, overall, I am pretty surprised at how smoothly everything went. I really hope the soreness and exhaustion go away in the next couple of days, but maybe I am just a little impatient. My boyfriend keeps reminding me that I did, after all, just have major surgery on Tuesday night.
Thank you all for keeping me smiling during this process! And if anybody will be needing this surgery I would be happy to talk about it some more. Hugs!!!
I finally got home from the hospital yesterday afternoon. I am so relieved to be back in my own bed since sleeping at an NYC hospital is IMPOSSIBLE. Everything was so loud haha. Anyway the surgery went perfectly. The surgeon told my family that the section of bowel they removed was so scarred that it was literally like a pinhole in diameter.
I am allowed to take two, but I am currently taking one 5-325 oxycodone-acetaminophen about every 3 to 4 hours which seems to help with most of the pain. I think 2 would just put me right to sleep! I am actually pretty surprised at where the pain is located.. I had expected more soreness in the lower abdomen, but most of it seems to be located in the upper abdomen between my belly button and sternum, and I am also very sore in my lower back and my neck. So weird! Has anyone else had this experience?
Anyway, overall, I am pretty surprised at how smoothly everything went. I really hope the soreness and exhaustion go away in the next couple of days, but maybe I am just a little impatient. My boyfriend keeps reminding me that I did, after all, just have major surgery on Tuesday night.
Thank you all for keeping me smiling during this process! And if anybody will be needing this surgery I would be happy to talk about it some more. Hugs!!!
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Glad you are home Tamar get plenty of rest and take it easy sending :ghug: praying for a speedy recovery.
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Im so glad to hear that you are out of hospital .
The pain above your navel could be from gases pumped into your stomach if you had key-hole surgery, the surgeons have to fill the space with air to allow them to see and work safely. The gases are harmless and are reabsorbed over time, but it can be quite uncomfortable.
You need to remember that they are actually quite rough when they do these procedures, you would be amazed if you saw how much you get pulled about during surgery, and its common to have some internal bruising. Also, all the muscles and nerves that they had to cut to have to reconnect and this can be uncomfortable to.
Be patient with yourself, it hasn't even been a week since your surgery, so you need to remember to take it one step at a time, things will get easier day by day, everyone heals at different rates. Any surgery is traumatic to the body, and it takes time to adjust. You're boyfriend is correct, its early days still. Keep taking the pain meds, don't go pushing yourself too hard and make the most of the down time. It will all be worth it when its over
. The pain above your navel could be from gases pumped into your stomach if you had key-hole surgery, the surgeons have to fill the space with air to allow them to see and work safely. The gases are harmless and are reabsorbed over time, but it can be quite uncomfortable.
You need to remember that they are actually quite rough when they do these procedures, you would be amazed if you saw how much you get pulled about during surgery, and its common to have some internal bruising. Also, all the muscles and nerves that they had to cut to have to reconnect and this can be uncomfortable to.
Be patient with yourself, it hasn't even been a week since your surgery, so you need to remember to take it one step at a time, things will get easier day by day, everyone heals at different rates. Any surgery is traumatic to the body, and it takes time to adjust. You're boyfriend is correct, its early days still. Keep taking the pain meds, don't go pushing yourself too hard and make the most of the down time. It will all be worth it when its over
