Just had a lower bowel resection

[Kilbey23]

Hi, new to this.

Just had a lower bowel resection. Was meant to be keyhole but found a fistula and a blockage so had to be cut open. Luckily I have an amazing surgeon of the name Abrie Botha. He managed to put me back together even with the surprise block. Pain was bad in recovery as skipped an epidural as thought was only having keyhole.

Anyway the point of this tale is that once my bowls reopened, the flood gates really opened. I was going 8 times/day. I am now on a mix of Sevredol 20mg for the pain and to help firm stool, Codeine phosphate and Loperamide - also to firm up as bottom was getting sore...honesty best policy.

I had the operation April 26 it is now May 2. My tummy is obviously all over the place but the cocktail seems to be working for me. Here's to hoping I recovery quickly as need to be back in the office May 14.

I cannot recommend Mr Botha enough a true gentleman and a complete genius with his surgical hands.

Glad to be through the worst of it now and hopefully home soon.

Feel free to contact me as have in the past ignored I have Crohns [this is my second resection in same place, last one 2003] so would be good to have like minded people to help discuss post op diet conditions better ways to live/prevent Crohns returning.

Peace and love, don't worry I am not a hippy just a believer in being nice. ; - )

Ciao.

Ben.

 

[Robert747]

Hello Ben

Having confidence in your Consultant is such a huge bonus. I prefer to travel into London for treatment - I think it is the place to be!

All the best

 

[Terriernut]

Ben, sorry about the open surgery surprise. No fun that. I imagine with the trauma to the bowels and the body, the big D really isnt a surprise.

I would assume they will have you on a low residue diet to begin with? Probably a good idea. Also, two weeks and back to work after open surgery may be a bad idea. A really bad idea. Open is much more traumatic on the body, and you need to give yourself more time to recover from it. If you push too hard too fast, you might make yourself more ill. I would think they should perhaps make it 3 to 4 weeks?

Glad you have an excellent surgeon! Makes all the difference!

 

[Kilbey23]

Re: Low physical work

Hi. I have a managerial position in an office, low on physical activity. Do you think that makes it easier for me to return May 14 after a good two-weeks rest? Cheers.

 

[Terriernut]

It might make it easier, but my guess is the Dr's wont let you back that fast! 3 weeks, and going back slowly is my guess. Dont forget you wont even be insured to drive for the first two weeks after GA. Never mind pain management, you wont drive on painkillers. Give yourself time.

 

[Kilbey23]

Starting to eat, sausage sarnie for breakfast with the much needed peppermint tea -- great for wind [anyone have any other useful tips for trapped wind?]...hopefully being released today...home to fiancée and family. Must say, will miss the nurses who have taken such good care of me...hope all Crohns sufferers are in as minimal pain as possible today. Peace and pain-free living. x.

 

[Kip1]

Hi
So pleased you are doing better now :thumright:
I am also really glad you had a great surgeon & Its great you posted on here to let others know about him.
I met my surgeon 3 weeks ago & I feel more confident about my up & coming resection now I have spoken to him. He is also sending me for a small bowel MRI as it appears I may have more going on than originally thought as you did so I can understand if it was a bit of a shock to you find you hadnt had the keyhole surgery as planned.

Keep us up to date on your progress.

 

[Kilbey23]

Home now. Just had some toast with Marmite followed by a banana, something I am not usually keen on but read good for Crohns, covered it in probiotic raspberry yoghurt, tasty. Pain and bowels under control, very few painkillers, staples out May 10. Time to put feet up and watch the golf. Best of luck with all your ongoings. Ben.

 

[Kilbey23]

Re: Steak, rice and garlic mushrooms -- any vit D?

Feels so good to be home. I certainly advocate surgery over medicine. Feeling better and 31 staples out Thursday May 10. I have heard vit D is a must for Crohns suffers and a lack could well be root cause. I read somewhere that in Scotland it is such an issue, due to lack of sun, that more people are getting Crohns than anywhere else in UK and the gov are thinking of adding Vit D to milk etc. to help combat. Can people give me some knowledge on this matter, or have I made it up? ; - ) I am currently taking cod liver oil, peppermint tablets and magnesium. Let me know what else should be on the list. Just had a B12 injection. Hope everyone is doing well. Ben.

 

[David]

You're not making that up about vitamin D. I'd certainly get your levels tested as many with Crohn's Disease are deficient.

I'm glad you're doing better

 

[Kilbey23]

Cheers. Going to start taking supplements this week. Will be back on my feet in no time. Cheers.

 

[Kilbey23]

Feeling much better after the operation. Managing to eat pretty much anything, steak and rice, pie and mash, cereal...keeping the spice out for now and going low fibre. Keeping pulses/veg etc. to a minimum. Looking for any advice on what to avoid, or is it simply the case of keeping a food diary and seeing what works, and what doesn't? Wishing everyone well. :dance:

 

[Kilbey23]

Cheers Archie. So, have you had the same as me, lower bowel resection? I have had two now, one in 2003 and one last week. Last week turned out to be worse than thought, had a blockage and a fistula so keyhole turned into being cut open and stapled back together, responding well. Fingers crossed will be last op and Crohns will stay away if I work at staying fit. My surgeon said that as you get older it can simply fade out..?

 

[archie]

I had a foot of small bowel, IC valve appendix and a bit of large bowel removed have been good since until the last week or so but i'm hoping it's just a wee blip and not the crohns back i'll get it checked within the next week or so, my bloods a month ago were perfect but i'm getting a lot of stomach and small bowel pain again but still feel well. how did you know you needed a 2nd surgery what symptoms did you get??

 

[Kilbey23]

Sickness, fever, pain. Perhaps once-twice/month. But, considering the severity of the actual issue the surgeon has no idea how I was living with the illness while being so well. Apparently if a sizeable blockage/fistula ruptures it can all be over pretty quick. I was in Chile a week before the op on business. I feel pretty lucky right now Archie. I row a fair bit and gym most days, cook and eat well. The blockage and fistula didn't show up in bloods, all normal nor an MRI scan. The body is a strange thing. I am now living as healthy as possible soaking up as much Vit D as possible! Any supplement suggestions? I fnd the peppermint tablets help with the trapped wind! ; - )

 

[archie]

Oh i don't have any fever I was sick about 2 months ago after eating a curry and then again last fri night after eating chilli although my guts haven't recovered this time. I live in complete denial I was in barcelona when my bowel decided to perforate how i made it home i'll never know quite scary to think!!! i don't take anything suppliment wise I also eat healthily and go to the gym and have been good up until now. I'll prob adopt the bury head in sand and wait and see approach although you'd think i'd learn after the last time I had no symptoms until I was really quite ill and my scans showed my bowel was wrecked with an abscess and fibrosed tissue hence the perforation... maybe i've got trapped wind not sure what that feels like feels like i've swallowed a brick at the moment lol

 

[Kilbey23]

Mate. My first op at 23, I thought that was it after years of hospitals etc. I thought I was cured, I kept partying, smoking, living the high live believing I was invincible and Crohns was dead to me. I was wrong. It came back with a vengeance. Although I did have a good 7-8 years clear. My life style is much changed now, moderate booze, eat well, no smoking -- the worse thing for Crohns according to studies--, gym, walks etc. Don't bury your head, learn all you can. I am. Gonna keep the monster at bay. Hope you get well my man. Keep me posted. I am looking forward to seeing how I am on the spice in a few weeks, just in moderation of course. I love the spice though, it's going to be hard to stay clear. Irie and peace out.

 

[Kilbey23]

Yeah, I looked at your profile and saw you're a lady...I guessed wrong on the Archie name! Be good. Ben. I just had roasted garlic, delicious and seemingly went down fine, thus far. Cheers mate ; - )