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First Bowel Resection May 27th what to expect??

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Posted 5/20/2011 7:19 AM (GMT 0)
Hi guys, unfortunatley I have my first resection set for may 27th, my bladder is being crushed by some swollen intestine and I have multiple fistuals including one to the bladder.  I just looking for any advice on what to expect, also can you take probiotics up until the day of surgery, apparently I have to stop all vitamins a week before.  And what about amino acids that i take while working out should I stop those too?

Thanks for the help guys!

Posted 5/20/2011 3:50 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Tookie
I don't have any advice for you. Just to say I am facing my first resection too. I just talked to the nurse a few minutes ago and she asked if I would like to schedule for May 27th or 31st. I have a probable bladder fistula which is the main reason they said I need surgery.

I have had constant UTI's for about a year. I have had a hard time deciding on surgery because the only evidence of a bladder fistula is UTI's that are not getting better, even though I am taking many strong antibiotics. I am in a kind of remission now as Cipro seemed to work wonders for my guts.
Posted 5/20/2011 4:46 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry you are going to have to have surgery but some times it's for the best. I've had one resection, (in 1982) and surgery last year to remove a stricture at the anastamosis site. If you have questions about supplements I would definitely contact your surgeons office for those answers.
Since all docs are different you may or may not have to do a bowel prep the day before. I did for my stricture surgery. Expect to have a a couple of IVs when you come out of recovery and you might have an NG tube inserted. I had 2 IVs last surgery, an NG tube and a catherter for a day. They will get you up and walking by day 2 so be prepared for that, it really does speed recovery.
I had the opportunity to have a nerve block for my last surgery and was so glad I did. The pain I felt getting up the first time after my first resection was memorable to say the least so I was fearing that again. But with the block I didn't have much pain at all (but we're all different). I didn't have to use as many pain meds either.
You will be in hospital for 4-5 days on average. My surgery was Friday I was home on Wednesday. Again different for everyone. I was off work for 6 weeks per my surgeon. I was driving in 2-3 weeks and had restricted weight lifting limits --- nothing over 10 lbs I want to say.
Plan ahead on what you might want or need in hospital, books, laptop etc. And any personal products you might want that you are used to.

Good luck and let us know how things go.
Posted 5/21/2011 4:53 AM (GMT 0)
TookieWilliams -

I just had my 2nd resection on April 12. Got rid of 2 ft of small bowel, a fistula and a very narrow section (less than .5 cm!). She said it was all in a knot with lovely adhesions throughout. I was happy not to come out with a bag. She did a fair amount of work to preserve the small bowel (altho I guess 5 hours is nothing at Johns Hopkins, since they see all the complicated cases).

I came out with a dilaudid pump and saline IV (hooked together) and they added TPN in the other arm soon after. I ended up staying in there for 8 days. Despite having CD, I have a very slow system (at least at restart). They had finally gotten sick of me (soft foods were going fine, but I hadn't passed gas or had a BM), so as they were discharging me, I started with the big D. Fortunately, I made it home (a 2 1/2 hour car ride) without making a mess. But my first nite home was horrible. I was having spasms which hurt like the dickens, and the dilaudid wasn't touching it. Not to mention trying to run to the bathroom when I was weaving like a drunken sailor (no balance)! We did alot of wash!!

So... here's my advice. Take music, magazines, slippers, your own bathroom kit (toothbrush, paste, etc). Oh and don't forget your cell phone charger!

Stock up your freezer with easy to cook stuff for when you get home. I was on a soft diet, so I also had pudding, ice pops, eggs, soup, mac n cheese, etc ahead of time. You won't be able to lean over very easily, so if there's anything down low you will want, put it up on a table. I set up my nest on my living room sofa (don't have a TV in the bedroom). I had everything - tissues, remotes, pillows, blanket, clock, puzzle books, etc. I am still sleeping there because of the pain and a very severe itching problem I have. I will eventually go back to the bedroom :)

I hope some of this helps!

Sudsmom
Posted 5/21/2011 9:17 PM (GMT 0)
I had an open resection in Feb this year. I was in hospital for a week and off work for 12 weeks. Driving again after 6 weeks.

When I came round after the op I had an epidural in and was also given paracetamol and tramadol for the pain. I was very stiff and agree with the not been able to bend down comment. I was about three weeks before I could pick anything up off the floor. I got back to normal food after about 3 and a half weeks. I also couldnt sleep on my side for about 5 weeks.
Posted 5/21/2011 10:29 PM (GMT 0)
Everyone's situation is different. My intestines got twisted around each other last year. I was scheduled for surgery on April 13th. The TPN caused problems and I ended up with pancreaitis and had the surgery a week early. I was in the hospital from March 30-April 22nd. I think it was sometime in June before I went back to work. It has been a slow process in my body accepting foods back. I enjoyed having popsicles in the hospital. Be prepared to eat a lot of mild foods. They tried to get me up walking the day after the surgery. I was lucky to stand. There was a lot of pain. Do your best to get up and walking afterwards. Be careful what you eat. I wish you the best. Let us know how it goes.
Posted 5/23/2011 7:24 AM (GMT 0)
thanks guys really appreciate all the advice, next week is gonna suck!!! but it will get better for sure!
Posted 5/24/2011 4:10 PM (GMT 0)
Have had many resections, have posted here multiple times on the subject, search for userid.

The main advise that I can give you is to:

Sit upright as much as you can, this will help the intestines settle and avoid accumulating fluid in the lungs.

Walk gently, every 3 hours for 5-8 minutes, this will stimulate your bowels, increase the number of minutes by week 3, 4.

Eat 4-5 small meals a day, lots of chicken broth, keep the intestines moving.

See more details in other posts !
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