Surgery date finally

[giftedbyadoption]

Well I finally after 8 long months and down to 96 lbs my surgery is Tuesday the 17th I am terrified knew it was coming but the dr working with mine has me worried

I am having a colostomy/ ileostomy done its weird though my paper work says subtotal like its not all the colon but I am getting a pouch and he is not reconnecting me so I guess its because mu rectum is staying??

For the people who all ready had surgery can you tell me what to expect when I wake up is it horrific pain?? How long were you in the hospital?

 

[Rl_gardner]

Hi I had my large bowel and rectum removed 8wks ago and have made great process. I had a mobile epidural which unfortunately didn't take properly so I had a period of a lot of pain but the pain team quickly sorted me out with a pump. I had already had my stoma for 18 months as I had been v ill so had emergency surgery but the bag is no problem.
I was cut down my belly but was up and in the chair the next day for a while. Keep on top of your pain meds and rest loads it will really help.
I stayed in hospital 10 days but would of left earlier but my wounds needed to be checked.
I'm now back driving, have started a little walking and am on no meds
Good luck!

 

[giftedbyadoption]

Hi I had my large bowel and rectum removed 8wks ago and have made great process. I had a mobile epidural which unfortunately didn't take properly so I had a period of a lot of pain but the pain team quickly sorted me out with a pump. I had already had my stoma for 18 months as I had been v ill so had emergency surgery but the bag is no problem.
I was cut down my belly but was up and in the chair the next day for a while. Keep on top of your pain meds and rest loads it will really help.
I stayed in hospital 10 days but would of left earlier but my wounds needed to be checked.
I'm now back driving, have started a little walking and am on no meds
Good luck!

Thanks so much for replying they have not mentioned a pump so I dont think I am getting one

Do you mind me asking why did they remove your rectum?.... my dr is not taking mine is that bad? He also said its not possible to take ALL the colon because you need a piece of it to make water?? That I didnt get?? I mean if I am having stoma why do I need even a piece or my rectum?

 

[Rl_gardner]

Did they discuss pain relief with you? Maybe they will discuss before surgery if not it might work different to the uk.
I had to have my rectum removed as there had been a lot of disease in that area in 09 and I had to perianal fistulas that they're were unable to fix so needed to removed the source of infection and they said were there had been infection my rectum was ruined.I was told I had about 70cm of bowel removed after my stoma, I guess they dont want to take anything more than they need to? It's pretty painful to heal there and not the easiest of places.

 

[Kela80]

I had surgery nov 26 2011. Sub total with temp ileostomy. Was in hospital for 2 weeks. Had a morphine pump for pain which kept the pain under control. It gets sore trying to get out of bed and walk. Started eating after 8 days once bowels woke up. Was on tpn 1 week prior to surgery and a week after. It's now 6-7 weeks post surgery feeling amazingly well, energy levels are great. Having a few issues with gas and having to empty bag 8-12 times a day but other than that all good. By keeping your rectum u always have the option to reverse the ileostomy. The large bowel absorbs water hence why your doc will want to retain as much as possible. I have about 20cm left near rectum.

Hope this helps.

 

[giftedbyadoption]

I had surgery nov 26 2011. Sub total with temp ileostomy. Was in hospital for 2 weeks. Had a morphine pump for pain which kept the pain under control. It gets sore trying to get out of bed and walk. Started eating after 8 days once bowels woke up. Was on tpn 1 week prior to surgery and a week after. It's now 6-7 weeks post surgery feeling amazingly well, energy levels are great. Having a few issues with gas and having to empty bag 8-12 times a day but other than that all good. By keeping your rectum u always have the option to reverse the ileostomy. The large bowel absorbs water hence why your doc will want to retain as much as possible. I have about 20cm left near rectum.

Hope this helps.

THANKS for all the answers .... it helps but scares me as well my 9 year old will be lost if I am in the hospital that long I dont want hardly any of my colon saved because of the colon cancer in my family so I understand some of it for the water absorbs but hopefully very little. I guess I will ask him before surgery because I dont know how I would have bowel prep with a bag to even get a colonastopy to check for cancer now?? I now get them every to years because BOTH my aunts and my granny had colon cancer. Wow 8-12 times a day changing your bag I hope that gets better for you? I dont plan to reverse mine at this point because they say you will got to the bath room 6-10 times a day with being attached to the small bowel and I just dont want to live that way. Have lived in the bath room enough.
Thank you so much for responding

 

[Rain]

most people only stay in the hospital 4-6 days. I was in for five when I had my surgery. Don't worry too much, it's not your fault. You will be back on your feet in no time. The only thing that has kept me from getting a job and going back to school is the fact that I am having a second surgery to get reconnected. I wish you the best of luck! You will probably be alright! Keep us updated!!

 

[giftedbyadoption]

most people only stay in the hospital 4-6 days. I was in for five when I had my surgery. Don't worry too much, it's not your fault. You will be back on your feet in no time. The only thing that has kept me from getting a job and going back to school is the fact that I am having a second surgery to get reconnected. I wish you the best of luck! You will probably be alright! Keep us updated!!

Thanks

 

[bkbigfish]

I had small bowel ressection back in feb 2011. I had a epdirual and woke up to zero pain. I only had slight pain when they removed the epdirual, but not too bad. I was cut wide open. I was up and walking 8 hrs after surgery, and bowles woke up very quickly! Also dilaudid is very nice for pain!!! Good luck, Billy.

 

[littlefreebird]

don't worry! i had colon, rectum removed and anus sewn closed....i had open surgery and was only in hospital for 9 days.
i was eating 2 days after surgery.

they usually won't discuss pain relief with you until the day/night before so don't worry if they haven't mentioned the pump etc.

i chose to have an epidural but unfortunatley it didn't work so i had to have a morphine pump- i had been on morphine for a year so i was immune to it, therefore i spent a week in pain- BUT i still got through it. i was so groggy i don't have much memory of the first week, and a lot of others on this forum also can't remember much!

you will not wake up in horrific pain. you'll wake up and feel very groggy, i thought the pain from my tummy felt very bruise- like pain, and the first time you sit up/ stand up, your tummy will feel very heavy. each day you will make a new little achievment, once they see you are managing the pain orally and you are emptying and changing your bag without assistance- this is when they will consider sending you home.

don't push yourself- i washed with a basin of soapy water at my bedside for the whole hospital stay, i couldn't have managed a shower and i honestly think i didn't pick up any infections for this reason.

just keep telling yourself 'it will get better', you are strong and brave and you're gonna be just fine

 

[Rain]

funny story about the morphine pump. I didn't feel any pain, but every time I got scared and looked at my stomach I would push it. If your not in pain but scared, ask for xanax. I used 1,000 MG OF MORPHINE!! WAAAyy too much..BUT, I remember everything.

 

[Jessi]

Good luck on your big day tomorrow, Lizz.

You are in my prayers.

I hope all goes well. :hug:

 

[giftedbyadoption]

Good luck on your big day tomorrow, Lizz.

You are in my prayers.

I hope all goes well. :hug:

Thanks everyone dilaudid makes me very sick Billy you are right it does help the pain I know that but for some reason it gives me a terrible stomach pan afterwards I cant even move my stomach hurts so bad
THANK you all....

 

[Rl_gardner]

Good luck you'll be surprised how well your body deals with it. Take each day slowly our bodies are amazing.
Take care