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I scheduled for surgery!

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 12/4/2007 6:14 AM (GMT 0)
Well I saw a surgeon today, and he decided that my best option was to have a resection. He said that it is called an ileocecal resection and he is removing part of my ileum, the ileocecal valve, and a little bit of my colon. I am scheduled to have it on December 13th...10 days. Luckily it is finals week this week so I will have a month after that at home to have surgery and then recover. He said I will be in the hospital for 4-7 days since I am doing the open surgery and that the recovery is 6 weeks. Has anyone had this, and if so please send me any tips or information that would be helpful!

 

Posted 12/4/2007 6:17 AM (GMT 0)
hello crohnie8. yes many of us have had this done. its usually one of the first surgeries as most of our disease seems to pop up in that area first. its not a bad operation as they go. just take it easy after and dont get to carried away with activity. slow and steady. do what they tell you even if it hurts. like getting up right away and walking etc... let us know what happens.
Posted 12/4/2007 9:52 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Wishing you all the best with your surgery , hopefully others will put in a word or two as I have not had resection I cain't help with that . Doesn't sound like you"ll be long in the hospital though and getting it done before Xmas sounds great at least you will be home for that.. lol gail
Posted 12/4/2007 10:05 AM (GMT 0)
Wishing you all the best for your surgery.
Tess
Posted 12/4/2007 10:45 AM (GMT 0)
My prayer are with you for a good surgery.
Posted 12/4/2007 2:01 PM (GMT 0)
Good luck to you i had it done as well you will feel a lot better.
Posted 12/4/2007 2:22 PM (GMT 0)
I agree with Randy, take it slow and easy, and remember to walk, walk, and walk some more. That really helps in your recovery. Remember to use a pillow across your middle when you get up and having alot of D at first is very common. It will slow after your intestines heal. They will start you with clear liquids and slowly as you can tolerate start giving you more solid foods. I hope this surgery brings you many years of remission. Keep us posted on your recovery.
Posted 12/4/2007 4:11 PM (GMT 0)
I too have to agree with Randy. I've had this surgery twice since 1995. You have to take it slow and easy. For me the hardest to do was to get myself out of bed the 1st time after each of my surgeries but once I was up it sure felt good to be walking around. Take it easy when you first start walking, don't over do it or you won't make it back to your bed. And don't try to get up out of bed without someone there to help you.

Hope all goes well with your surgery.
Posted 12/4/2007 4:29 PM (GMT 0)
good luck and best wishes on your surgery & for a speedy recovery!

take care!
Posted 12/4/2007 6:34 PM (GMT 0)
Good luck and keep us posted!
Posted 12/4/2007 6:45 PM (GMT 0)
Yes it was my first surgery, my advice is echoed by those above. Just one word of warning, usually when they remove the ileo-cecal
valve, you will usually have diarrhea, as it's this valve that controls the flow of fecal matter. They do say that your body does learn
to adjust, and the diarrhea does get better. I thought you needed to know this, as no-one told me, and I believed for the longest time
that I was still flaring. Good luck with your surgery, and I wish you a speedy recovery.
Posted 12/4/2007 9:59 PM (GMT 0)
Yeah i had this surgery done and it made me feel nearly indestructable lol. the diarrhea slows down like everyone says, but expect it to last probably the whole time your in the hospital. I find that once you leave the hospital and get off those IV's...your body all the sudden needs to absorb water via your colon and the stools get more formed very quickly once you get home...and yes getting up and walking thru the ward is a good idea Try not to stay hunched over too much either or your scar might heal that way and it will be harder to 'stretch' your scar so you can stand upright without pain. But this slightly painful 'stretching' sensation is normal for the first few weeks or so. Hopefully you can get off most of your meds and live life alittle more fuller afterwards! good luck!
Posted 12/5/2007 3:07 AM (GMT 0)

Definitely get a small pillow and take it to the hospital with you.  The travel size works well.  If you can press it into your abdomen when you move, cough, etc., it seems to "brace" the area and keep the pain to a minimum.  One of my nurses gave me one and it made a huge difference!

You'll heal quicker than you might think, but the first days can drag on.  The worst of it for me was right before my bowels went back to work.  The pain at that time was terrible.  I have had two resections now--same area as yours.   Be prepared for an icky scar, but that too will subside over time.   Good luck!!

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