Hemicolectomy next week.. Ahh!

[valleysangel92]

So next tuesday (25 june) is finally the big day.. Im having a laperoscopic right hemicolectomy to remove a stricture. The plan is to remove the damaged section and then reconnect the two healthy ends.

Until now my feelings on this have been somewhat vauge. I first saw the surgeon in March and they said it would be about a month till I had surgery. I finally got my date in may after chasing everything up. I guess this is why I put off thinking about it for a while and its kinda crept up on me.

I have to go into hospital the day before so don't know if ill have to drink any prep (hoping not) .. I guess my biggest worry is what to expect after the operation?

 

[Absentminded]

Hi, I just wanted to say that I hope everything goes well for your op.
I can't really answer your question as I had open surgery and an ileostomy when I had my op. Hopefully someone will be along soon who is more useful than me!!
I'm sure you'll be fine and let us know how everything goes! X

 

[Grumbletum]

Hi there. Also wishing you well with your surgery. Hopefully you've had a chance to read a few stories on the surgery forum - there are quite a few from people who've had the same op. Mine was laparoscopic too and I didn[t have to have any prep, just fast from midnight the day before the op.

 

[gemmafer]

I had open surgery and I just fasted from midnight the previous night. Seeing as it is laperoscopic surgery you're having I can't comment exactly on what it will be like after, because my main difficulties afterward was movement due to my stapled incision, but it wasn't the horrible life-ruining experience I thought it was going to be! Surgery was far less horrible than I expected and it was the best thing that ever happened to me once I was healed up

 

[valleysangel92]

Hey all thankyou for the support. Sorry ive not had chance to respond sooner. Just a quick update to say it all went well .

My recovery is going well and its been a lot quicker than any of us expected, my surgeon was amazed how well i looked just a few days after the operation .

When i last spoke to a GI they told me they wouldnt be recommending any maintanence medication .. Should I question this at my next appointment?

 

[Grumbletum]

Hey there I'm really glad to hear that the op and your recovery are going so well. I would definitely ask why you are not being put on a maintenance med. A lot of people are after surgery, but I know of quite a few including myself who are not.
My surgeon said he thought my GI might put me on 6mp, but when I did see the GI post surgery, he said he wouldn't prescribe anything at that point. I was on the drug combo in my signature over 2 years, but still ended up needing the surgery. He reckons my disease is drug resistant.
He told me to get in touch asap if I thought symptoms were returning and did a faecal calprotectin test about a month after my post op check to make sure the disease 'isn't sneaking back up on you.