Resection Surgery

[SugarberryGA]

Can anyone tell me how long I may be out of work after resection surgery and if all resection surgeries require an ostomy bag? Thank you!

 

[BabeandT]

I have had 5 resections and have not had a bag yet! (down about 3 feet of sm. intestine) Recoup time, at LEAST 2 wks. before you will prob. be able to work, but I guess it depends on your work. I had to have help with the kids for 2 weeks, couldn't lift or clean. You want to be careful.

 

[UnXmas]

It partly depends on how active (or stressful) your job is. Six to eight weeks is the figure usually given, but some resection surgeries are very straightforward and others have complications. Not all resections result in an ostomy. If your surgeon hasn't mentioned it to you then he/she probably expects you won't need one.

 

[hawkeye]

I was off work for 8 weeks (20 cm of large intestine taken out) - that is what the surgeon put me out for. In terms of the ostomy, the surgeon should have an idea before the surgery is you will require one. They may mark you for one prior to surgery in case something happens or if they have to do a temporary one.

 

[DEmberton]

I actually did some work at home after about a week, and then went back properly after three. But I was still quite slugglish moving around and would get stabs of pain from time to time, so I wouldn't have been able to do anything physical.

How do you get there? You're not going to be wanting to be running for a bus or train, and they told me not to drive for a month, though I did after 2 weeks and felt okay.

 

[SugarberryGA]

I'm a legal assistant and commute 100 miles roundtrip. I don't have to do a lot of walking or heavy lifting when I'm at work. Not so sure I want to drive that far though until I feel a whole lot better after the surgery.

Thanks everyone for your comments. I have a feeling that I'll be having surgery sometime this year. I'm 54 and am fortunate that this will be my first Crohn's-related surgery, so things aren't all bad.

 

[UnXmas]

With driving it will depend on pain medications as well as your pain and fatigue levels, with many painkillers it's best not to drive even if you feel ok.