first surgery

 Earlier on in September, I had a colonoscopy done since my diagnosis in Feb. of 2005. My gastro doctor recommended me to have surgery because of the narrowing of my ileoccecal area. Before I went to have my colonoscopy I weren't having any bad symptoms or flare ups. Right now im schedule to go into surgery on Tuesday. But since I had my colonoscopy there has been a lot of D and there is pressure in my lower right abdomin area below my belly button. Im really apprehensive about having the surgery, I had to call my surgeon yesterday for some reassurrence, he seems like a good doc. But my anxiety is building up, as to I don't know what to expect. Can anyone who has had surgey walk me through on what to expect from prep all the way through to recovery. I found myself breaking down into tears sometimes and the only way i find comfort is to read a couple scrpitures from the bible, which helps rebuild my confidence about the surgery. Im really nervous can anyone please help me into what i should expect. Oh and how was the pain afterwards. I need help from my fellow crohnies. Please hep me before I back out, I know this needs to be done, becuase the bleeding has not stopped and im in progressive state of anemia. Does the surgery really help?

I have had two resections done. Both were open surgeries. I will not lie it did hurt afterwards, but they give you good pain meds. Be sure to ask for a pain pump, that way when you need the pain medication you can just push a button and the medication will be run thru your IV, no waiting for the nurse to come. After a few days they will start bringing you regular food, try to stick with softer blander foods, don't rush to eating regular foods. Also, after a day or two when your bowels start to wake up you will start having more urgent D. You might ask to have a portable commode next to your bed so you don't worry about getting to the BR. Don't worry this will go away in a few weeks as your bowels adjust to the change. Very important to walk as much as you can as soon as you can. This will help your recovery go smoother. I was in the hospital for 10 days each time because I got an infection in my incision afterwards (thats why its good to do a prep before the surgery).

Hopefully you will have your surgery done via laprascope. The recovery with that is supposed to be smoother. Its natural to be anxious, you might even ask your doc for something to help with that in the meantime. No need to stress yourself out.

I pray you surgery brings you to a long long remission and gets you feeling better soon. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

God Bless,
Gail *Nanners*

Here was my experience with my bowel resection (it was an open surgery).

The prep is really no different than prep for a colonoscopy

The day of the surgery, I was given some meds that made me drowsy, so they could give me an epidural (to help with the pain after the surgery). After the epidural (which I did not feel at all), they put me under....I woke up in recovery feeling like I was going to puke. I guess the drugs does that to some people. It seemed to go away quickly - the nurse put something under my nose to smell which stopped the nausea immediately.

Then I was brought to my room....being lifted onto the bed hurt. The first few days after the surgery, it hurt to do anything - laughing, peeing, coughing, walking, sitting etc...but the whole time I was given heavy duty pain meds which made the pain much more bearable.

Each day the pain is a little better and within a few weeks, it just feels sore (like you have done 500 crunches)

Truly, this was not as scary as I thought it would be...it was well worth it as it kicked me into a 4 year remission.

Good luck and keep us posted.