Question for post surgery recovery

[crampygut]

Hi,


Writing to all of you who have had previous resections.
I have just had my 3rd bowel operation around 4 weeks ago.

I had 6 strictureplasties and a resection in the operation which took 5 hours in total to perform- all in small bowel.

I really couldn’t eat anything but soups for the first 10 days. After which I slowly introduced very soft low residual small sized meals. However once I started eating solids again the symptoms I was getting before surgery which made me get the surgery in the first place had returned.

In the morning I go have a BM or 2 which relieves my symptoms until around 1-2pm from that time on I start to develop bloating which gets much worse as the day goes on, inability to pass wind or have a BM until the next morning, My stomach looks massively distended by night time. All symptoms of a partial bowel blockage and which landed me in ER a few times before I had the operation.

Now my surgeon told me that there could be swelling at the site of the strictureplasties and resection from the operation mimicking the original strictures and causing a type of blockage until the swelling settles. But its been 4 weeks surely things should have settled by now?

I was just wondering if any of you have had this kind of problem after your operation and if it lasted awhile after the operation but eventually went way after a several weeks? and if so did you do anything to help?

As I said this had never happened to me after my two resection but granted this was a bigger operation than the first two.

Thanks for listening to my whinging

 

[Justanothercp]

Are you back to taking meds to keep inflammation down. I’ve read staying on meds after surgery is recommended. Also, I think giving it 6-8 weeks, that'swhat my surgeon told me.

 

[crampygut]

Are you back to taking meds to keep inflammation down. I’ve read staying on meds after surgery is recommended. Also, I think giving it 6-8 weeks, that'swhat my surgeon told me.

Hi Justanothercp

Thanks for your reply.
I take Stelara every 8 weeks. I think your surgeon is probably right. Hopefully I’ll be better in a few weeks but up to now the symptoms are as intense as before my surgery which is why I’m a bit worried.

 

[ronroush7]

Hi,


Writing to all of you who have had previous resections.
I have just had my 3rd bowel operation around 4 weeks ago.

I had 6 strictureplasties and a resection in the operation which took 5 hours in total to perform- all in small bowel.

I really couldn’t eat anything but soups for the first 10 days. After which I slowly introduced very soft low residual small sized meals. However once I started eating solids again the symptoms I was getting before surgery which made me get the surgery in the first place had returned.

In the morning I go have a BM or 2 which relieves my symptoms until around 1-2pm from that time on I start to develop bloating which gets much worse as the day goes on, inability to pass wind or have a BM until the next morning, My stomach looks massively distended by night time. All symptoms of a partial bowel blockage and which landed me in ER a few times before I had the operation.

Now my surgeon told me that there could be swelling at the site of the strictureplasties and resection from the operation mimicking the original strictures and causing a type of blockage until the swelling settles. But its been 4 weeks surely things should have settled by now?

I was just wondering if any of you have had this kind of problem after your operation and if it lasted awhile after the operation but eventually went way after a several weeks? and if so did you do anything to help?

As I said this had never happened to me after my two resection but granted this was a bigger operation than the first two.

Thanks for listening to my whinging

After my resection, I would have some times where I would have times where I would have incontinence. It lasted for about three months. My gi suggested eating smaller meals but more of them. I never tried that out because I guess I am more of a traditionalist of eating two or three meals.

 

[crampygut]

After my resection, I would have some times where I would have times where I would have incontinence. It lasted for about three months. My gi suggested eating smaller meals but more of them. I never tried that out because I guess I am more of a traditionalist of eating two or three meals.

Hi ronroush

Thanks for your reply. I’m guessing I’m being a bit impatient and should give myself a few more weeks before I panic. It’s just scary thinking I’ve endured the pain of the surgery just to have not have fixed the original problem. But time will tell I guess

 

[Justanothercp]

Hi Justanothercp

Thanks for your reply.
I take Stelara every 8 weeks. I think your surgeon is probably right. Hopefully I’ll be better in a few weeks but up to now the symptoms are as intense as before my surgery which is why I’m a bit worried.

I had the same issue after my resection, but I was way better overall. I was never completely symptom free. But my resection was 15 yrs ago, and I’m just now getting to the point where I’m looking at another one. I guess 15 yrs is not bad, I would sure take it again after this next surgery. Good luck to you, keep us updated.