How long for recovery?

[Clairegard1979]

Hi

I am meeting the surgeon in a couple of weeks to discuss having a right hemicolectomy for my crohns which is in my terminal ileum. It can be done by keyhole surgery I believe. I just wondered if anyone has had this done and how long it took to recover, wondering how much time I will need off work? Thank you

 

[hawkeye]

I had a left hemicolectomy via open surgery. I was off work for about 8 weeks (desk job).

 

[DEmberton]

They told me 6 weeks off work, and I wouldn't be able to drive for 4 (which was worse). In fact I started working at home after 2 weeks and went back after 3, but then I sit down all day so it wasn't too much of an issue. It took about 6 weeks before I was able to move around normally without getting stabs of pain.

But it's different for everyone and you don't want to rush it. And it depends on what you do, and also how you get there. You don't want to be running for a bus or doing any heavy lifting for some time.

I found it a bit of a shock. Somehow I thought keyhole surgery was no big deal and would mean one night in hospital. But the surgeon told me 5 days, and for the pre-op assessment they told me 6 weeks off work and suddenly it was a this huge thing that I wasn't prepared for. Totally worth it though.

Hope it all goes well.

 

[Clairegard1979]

They told me 6 weeks off work, and I wouldn't be able to drive for 4 (which was worse). In fact I started working at home after 2 weeks and went back after 3, but then I sit down all day so it wasn't too much of an issue. It took about 6 weeks before I was able to move around normally without getting stabs of pain.

But it's different for everyone and you don't want to rush it. And it depends on what you do, and also how you get there. You don't want to be running for a bus or doing any heavy lifting for some time.

I found it a bit of a shock. Somehow I thought keyhole surgery was no big deal and would mean one night in hospital. But the surgeon told me 5 days, and for the pre-op assessment they told me 6 weeks off work and suddenly it was a this huge thing that I wasn't prepared for. Totally worth it though.

Hope it all goes well.

Thank you so much, it's good to know what to expect...