I had 2 feet of highly scarred small intestine near my terminal ileum removed 8 days ago...and I feel better right now than I have in months. What follows is a possibly far too detailed, utterly boring timeline of my surgery and recovery thus far. Obviously, your experience could be very different, but I hope this provides you with a bit more information.
Friday:
2pm: Into surgery. Laid on the table, given an IV of anesthesia and was under. It was done Laproscopically, with several small incisions around my abdomen and a larger one (4 inches or so) around my belly button. 2 feet of small intestine plus my appendix were removed. It took about 3 hours and I was awoken while be wheeled toward recovery. I awoke with a catheter and a temporary little plastic ball on my side to drain fluid.
Recovery: 6pm-2am: Awwwwfuuuuulll!! The worst was back and shoulder pain, which can be caused by the gas they use to inflate your intestines. As a bonus, my heart rate wouldn't drop as a complication of anesthesia. This was by far the worst part. After my heart rate began to drop, I was finally wheeled to my room. That night was sleepless...I couldn't get comfortable, couldn't really toss and turn and the pain pump did little ease the shoulder and back pain.
Saturday:
Finally got some sleep in the AM and started feeling much better. I rarely used my pain pump...my stomach felt *weird*, but not painful. Docs visit in morning and afternoon. They removed my catheter that afternoon (it was put in while I was under anesthesia) and I started peeing pretty soon thereafter. The gas discomfort had subsided greatly, but was still there. I spent most of the day talking with my visitors and futzing around on the internet (God bless hospital wifi). At 4pm, I got up with the help of my wife and went on a very short walk with my IV pole in front of me. I would go on another one later that night that was a little bit longer. Odds are, they will encourage you to walk as much as you reasonably can. It gets much easier each time (the hardest is getting in and out of bed). Actually got sleep that night! Get used to the routine of nurses coming in and out to change your IV, give you shots, check your blood pressure....hospital is not much of a place for sleep!
Sunday:
Feeling much better than ever Saturday, 0 uses of the pain pump and passed gas in the morning. I was put on clear liquids (apple juice, jello, tea, etc). Again, day spent walking, using the internet, peeing seemingly constantly(lousy IV). Every movement, while still extremely slow and deliberate feels a *bit* more natural.
Monday:
Usual: doctors in the morning, more docs in afternoon to check on my scares and see how I'm doing. They put me on solid foods. I don't have much appetite, but I eat about half for each meal. I'm passing gas regularly (which is a bit difficult since you can't push very much. But it will find a way out and you will be gassy!). More walking, talking with visitors, internet. I can walk much further and much faster than I could yesterday...meaning I can walk about 1 mph and about the equivalent of a city block. But again, 0 uses of pain pump. Am informed I will possibly be sent home the next day.
It is worth noting here that every time you see a doctor, they will as you about farting and bowel movements. Get used to it!(At this points: lots of farting, zero bowel movements)
Tuesday:
Taken off IV fluids that morning (freedom!) and told I will be going home that afternoon! The worst part was when they took out my drain...it felt super weird and I suddenly felt ill for about 45 minutes afterward. I'm sent home with Percocet and Prednisone to taper off of, Colace to keep the mail moving and Immodium for when it invariably moves too much. I felt nauseous and dizzy. After a pretty crummy hour long drive home, I immediately find the toilet and have my first bowel movement...that becomes the worst diarrhea I've ever had in my life. When they dries up, I feel MUCH better. I guess the drain was holding back my bowel movements.
Wednesday:
I go for a short walk outside and spend about half the day sitting up on the couch. I'm good for getting up and grabbing things as I need them (though if I drop something, I'm fucked). I can eat without issue within the guidelines of my low-residue diet (which I'm on for just 3 more weeks!).
Thursday:
Feeling pretty great actually. Getting in and out of bed is now pretty easy, I can walk all the way around the block without getting exhausted. I go to the grocery store in the morning, went OUT to dinner and then went to a movie. In summary, I over did it and wanted to die from exhaustion by the time I went home, but it was worth it. Bowel movements become more regular and predictable. Still too gassy, but it's been getting better every day.
Friday:
Cleaned the apartment and put away my laundry. I'm not allowed to lift anything heavier than a jug of milk, so it took awhile and required a lot of assistance of my friend who was staying with me to help out. Ate a big ass bacon cheeseburger with fries for dinner was horrified as soon as I finished, certain that I'd killed myself via food, but no problems digesting at all! Had to take my first Percocet after my dog kicked me in the stomach on the couch! Otherwise, I've basically had no pain.
Saturday: Walked to brunch 7 blocks away and back and wasn't even tired when I got home. I can almost walk normal speed. I still have my staples in for another week, still moving a little bit awkwardly, still having moderately loose poops and a few too many farts, but everything feels *almost* normal. The exciting part is, I have not had a single pain related to Crohn's since the surgery and my appetite is bigger than ever (thanks Prednisone)
Hope this helps. Let me know if there are any specific questions I might be able to answer.
