Questions about Surgery and bowel wake up

[nogutsnoglory]

I need to go in for resection and they say they need to see your bowels wake up before they give food. How can your bowels work when all you get is Iv?

Also what should I bring to the hospital or be prepared for?

 

[braveheart]

Hi,

The bowels are always working; even there is no food to process. It is a kind of reflection, it just happens.

You will release some gas, you will feel it.

Doctors can also listen to it, guts are very noisy. Try putting one of your ears on someone else's tummy for a minute, you will hear noises.

I understand the pain meds makes your bowels sleep, but as soon as doctors lower the dose of pain meds, it starts working.

I had two surgeries and this subject also called my attention.

You will be fine; I've never heard about someone whose bowels keep on sleeping for so long

 

[Feather]

Your bowels will definitely be slow to "wake up," but it helps to walk as much as you are able. Walking helps recovery in general, I think. I was allowed to drink water and eat ice chips a few days after surgery, and progress to real food a couple days after that.

In terms of what to bring to the hospital or be prepared for, I brought my computer (laptop) and headphones. I liked listening to audio books and podcasts during the day, and they also helped me fall asleep at night. I also brought my own pillow. Something also that my nurse brought me but I don't know if all hospitals have is chapstick -- my lips got really dry after surgery and that really helped.

 

[scl]

I had an open resection and fistula repair (ileum-distal colon) on 11/17. I got up and walked the next day which helped relieve gas pains. On 11/19 I had my first watery bowel movement. I think that was the day I also started sucking on ice chips, before that I could use the swab stick thing to moisten my incredibly dry mouth.

 

[archie]

Hi I had a resection last year and I was able to start on a low res diet a couple of days later, I didn't actually go to the loo til 6 days later and they wouldn't discharge me til I had, my bowel was a bit sluggish and they had to give me some lax to get going but it soon returned to normal. It always has been a bit sluggish and any forn of painkiller gives me constipation.

I brought in day clothes as I hate sitting in my pjs they made me feel more normal also brought my hairdryer straighteners make up etc to feel nice along with my computer phone and music. I got my sister to make me nice food as hospital food is rotten. I just tried my best to relax post surgery everyone says to take it easy which is so true I tried to do too much and suffered a wee bit so seriously take it easy. Walk walk and walk some more it will help all areas of recovery. Good luck I've had great success with surgery and hope you do too

 

[nogutsnoglory]

Thank you for your replies. I want to bring my computer but afraid it gets stolen if I go for a walk or some test out of the room.

 

[nogutsnoglory]

Maybe I can get one of those Kevlar cords to hook to the bed lol.

 

[Sybil Vane]

Definitely bring your favorite soap and shampoo. When I could, I would wash my face and hair in the sink until I was allowed to take a shower. It helped having my usual soap, face lotion, and shampoo to feel normal. I also took my ipod and smart phone so I could surf the internet, and when I left the room, I hid them in my sheets. I thought that no one would want to go through my sheets and blankets.

I've had three surgeries and all three times they have made me eat really soon. It was surprisingly soon. One tip--if you feel really sick after eating, tell them. I didn't tell my surgeon that I was sick after my third surgery until I was vomiting the food back up (I was stupid--I kept thinking that if I forced myself to eat, I would be able to leave sooner and see my kids). The site where they reconnected everything was swollen shut and I had an obstruction and an abscess. If I had reported my severe pain and nausea earlier, I probably wouldn't have gotten as incredibly sick as I did. I didn't have any problem healing with my first two surgeries so I thought that if I just gritted my teeth and didn't say anything, it would be mind over matter. Stupid, I know.