Small bowel resection---any input??

Thanks for the post.

I JUST talked to the surgeon today about a small bowel resection.....     Terminal Illium....

I was also on Humira, didnt seem to work for me...

So, sorry I do not have info but it sounds like we are in the same boat!

Just got home from colon resection Friday. Surgery was the previous Monday. (Four nights in hospital). Done laproscopically, small incision by belly button, two smaller incisions and four inch incision very low on abdomen. Can't really see because the tape is still on.

Getting around very well, no pain medication since being home.

Hello

I had a resection 2.5 years ago. They took 9 inches and did a lapro operation, so I have a small scar on my belly button (about 2 inches) and three others that are about half an inch wide, which they used to pump air in.

I had been told I'd be in hospital for 5 days, but I was actually in for 10 because it took ages for me to pass anything through - I was sick for the first few days when I tried to eat soup etc. I was off work for 6 weeks in total.

Oh and I had been prepared for a stoma/temporary ileostomy and later on a reversal, but in the end they joined the healthy ends back together immediately so I didn't need it.

Hope that helps

Hi i had 2 resections (done at the same time ) in jan had to be opened up as they also had to operate on a fistula which came through an old scar in my belly the recovery was ok i had no pain after as i had the morphine pump and an epidural too try not to worry to much just focus on the outcome and the future wishing you well Bev x

I had a resection in October. They took 18 inches of the small intestine out. I have two tiny incisions and one larger one next to my belly button. I was in the hospital 18 days, but I was there for 10 days prior to the surgery because I was so sick. It wasn't as bad as I thought. I actually thought my gallbladder surgery five years ago was worse. Once they get pain under control post-surgery, its okay. I had an epidural for the surgery which was great because I couldn't feel a darn thing. Except the next day when the nurse tried to get me out of bed and my legs were jello.

The surgery has changed my life. I can finally eat without being in pain. My "crohn's" pain is gone. The surgeon told me I should get 10 years out of this. Its been a little over six months and I am still feeling great.

The surgery was about three hours, and they just connected the ends together with a few titanium staples. The pain pump was great except the one night nurse who didn't hook it up and every time I pushed the button, my dialudid was going on the floor and it took a few hours for them to get it under control. So make sure they hook it up to your IV. I actually had a Picc line and I thought it was better. Because I was on IV steroids, my IV site would be fried by the end of the day so they kept having to change the IV, so they did a PICC. They sent me home with enough pain killers but I really only needed them for a few days. I got out of the hospital on a Friday and was back to work on Wednesday.

One thing to be aware of is the water weight. I never expected to look 7 months pregnant after the surgery but I guess from all the swelling and water I plumped up. The swelling went down after a week or so, but it wasn't that bad that I couldn't fit in my clothes. The first couple nights were hard because I am a stomach sleeper and I would roll onto my tummy while sleeping and jump awake from the pain. But again, after a few days it was gone. I was just so happy to sleep in my own bed.

Post-surgery be careful what you eat. I was on clear liquids for ten days prior to surgery in the hospital and then for a few days after. Once they finally let me eat, it was low-residue diet. I spent the first few days out of the hospital at my mom and dads. I'm Italian and my mom is an amazing cook so I started eating some things I shouldn't have and had some pain and cramping. When you go 18 days on jello and chicken broth, I wanted real food. When you start eating, slowly introduce food. Nothing too rich, or spicy. I can eat anything now but for the first couple weeks be cautious.

They will probably keep you on your meds. I am still on Imuran and a B12 shot. As far as scarring, I later it up with Vitamin E lotion and they have healed quite well. In the beginning, I would take a vitamin E capsule, cut it open and rub it on my incision. It really helps with the healing.

I know its scary anytime they talk surgery, but if its going to make you better, go for it. Just keep thinking positive.

Good luck!!

Just want to say good luck Cheryl.

I had a resection of the IT in Feb 07.  It was an open surgery with an 8 in scar right down the middle of my belly.  They were going to do it lap but the inflammation was too big.

I was in the hospital for 5 days including the day of and back at work in about 5-6 weeks.  I had an epidural put in while in the recovery room since the morphine didn't work.

I was petrified but I was in such bad shape it was affecting my quality of life.  I didn't go on meds afterwards but I should have.

That maybe would have given me a remission.

If the doctor seems to think you need surgery get a second opinion.  If both agree, then see a surgeon and see more than one.

Good luck.

Had the same procedure as Wolfie, except had my appendix also removed.
They'll take biopsy from both ends of the surgery,to see if they removed all
the active Crohn's. The surgery was a breeze for me,7 painless days in the
hospital, until your first bowel movement.A dozen staples which they remove.
The hospital offered me more pain med's than I could possibly ever need.
Boy do they ever give you a close shave!(I'm pretty much hairless.)
Missed 8 weeks of work,and watched tons of TV.(like a long vacation)

Thanks again all of you for giving input and sharing your experiences!  This information helps me TREMENDOUSLY!!!  I am not as afraid of the possibility of having surgery, and am actually quite surprised about how quick the recovery time is.  (Of course, it may not seem so quick when you are in the middle of it!)   You are the greatest, and I'm so grateful for this website!

Take care--

 

I had a resection 2 weeks ago. I had an open surgery, and they removed 8 inches of my small intestines, 4 inches of my colon, and my appendix. I woke up with very little pain, thanks to the pain pump. I did have to have the gastric tube for two days, which was the most annoying and uncomfortable thing - it bothered me more than anything else.It really did a number on my throat, and it was just plain aggravating.

I had progressed fine until the fourth day in the hospital. I started having a lot of pain, and I began passing lots of blood when I went to the bathroom. I got very weak. The surgeon was called right away, and within a few hours, they gave me IV meds to help my blood to clot, and I had two pints of blood transfused.I began to feel better almost immediately. I am not telling you this to scare you - I just wish I would have known about that risk so that I would not have been so worried when it was happening.

I was only in the hospital for 8 days total (as far as the surgery part - I was there a week prior to the surgery because I was so sick and dehydrated). I had liquids for two days and was able to eat a regular diet (sticking to more bland and easy to chew foods) by the time I left. I go for my follow-up in a few days, and they will remove the 24 staples.

I still have D a lot, but it is getting better every day. I am still very tired, but not in hardly any pain. In fact, most of the pain that I have experienced is in my back - I guess from using it to shift the pressure off of my abs.I am still eating softer foods - I am having a hard time with being afraid to eat some things - I'm just not ready for certain foods yet.

I was able to go 13 years before this first surgery. It freaked me out when the doctors decided it was necessary. However, I am really optimistic that my quality of life will be much better. Just realize that it gets to a point where surgery is inevitable, and it is better to do it when you aren't in an emergency-type situation. Don't freak out too much.

Hi, sorry to hear you will need a surgery, no wonder you feel anxious...

I had mine done in order to be allowed to have a second baby, didn´t really think about it that much-wanted a baby asap and this was necessary to do it, so I did it.
I had laparoscopic surgery- 3 small incisions, one in belly button, one above it and one bellow, barely visible 2 years later. And one bigger (about 10cm long), the surgeon took about 40cm of my terminal illeum through my old(er) appendectomy scar.

Surgery was fine and I was recovering quickly, unfortunately a bit of my illeum got twisted, stuff could´t get trough and I had to be taken straight to the theatre again (a friend who is a surgeon said this was nobody´s fault, it sometimes happens).

They joined both ends immediately, but this is individual and sometgimes they have to give the patient a bag...

I recovered without any further problems after this and had been only on Pentasa and Entocort for a year and half and only on Pentasa since birth of our baby girl.

Hope everything goes fine for you, good luck !!!

You are very welcome!
Wish the best for you...
Please keep us updated...