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Bowel resection recovery time

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Posted 11/5/2013 9:34 PM (GMT 0)
I had an open surgery that removed 3 ft of my small intestine and a small amount of the large intestine. They also removed an abscess. Surgery was on Halloween morning. I still haven't passed gas or a BM. I have a slight infection. How long is it supposed to take for this to happen so I can start eating? Why do I still have a high WBC?
Posted 11/6/2013 1:42 AM (GMT 0)
It took me 7 days to pass gas after my bowel resection in 2000, which gave me 9 days inpatient following surgery.
Posted 11/6/2013 2:00 AM (GMT 0)
I had almost the EXACT same surgery (with about 3 feet removed as well and a few fistulae removed, plus a few strictures cleaned up). I never passed gas but had a bowel movement on the 4th day I think. My WBC count was also up. Are you on steroids? That can increase your WBC, also, just basic body stress can cause an increase. They will probably check for sources of infection (I had to have a CT scan, blood work, pic line tested, and stool sample. If they can't find a source thy will probably just attribute it to stress and healing. Good luck with everything. My surgery was almost 2 months ago and I'm feeling pretty good and returned to work part time his week.
Posted 11/6/2013 2:45 AM (GMT 0)
Are you still in the hospital and/or on TPN with an NG tube? I didn't pass gas until I was taken off TPN and started on pureed foods, about 8 days after surgery. My surgeons don't let you go home without "all systems go".
Posted 11/6/2013 10:05 AM (GMT 0)
Good news guys, I had a BM tonight. No pain from defecating, but I do have pain when urinating. Is that normal? I am on a low dose of steroids, no TPN. Is it normal for surgery to extend your period? I also have a bruise on the right side of my abdomen.
Posted 11/6/2013 3:10 PM (GMT 0)
I've been given a horrible clear liquid diet for now. When do you guys think I'll be able to have solid food?
Posted 11/6/2013 6:01 PM (GMT 0)
It's great you WANT to eat real food! I had absolutely no appetite following my surgery. I didn't have pain urinating, but my urine was really dark, like almost black the first week, which was worrisome. The hospital staff weren't took concerned. I also had bruising on my stomach - it's normal. I think as soon as they see clear liquids stay down and pass through without problems they'll let you have some bland solids. I couldn't leave until the 12th day because I could not bring myself to eat any solids until then, but I was very sick prior to surgery and on TPN which contributed to my lack of appetite. Glad you had a BM!!! Hope things continue to go smoothly!

Post Edited (Myrne) : 11/7/2013 11:45:18 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 11/12/2013 4:46 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you guys. I didn't have a BM again after eating the solid food until just this morning. They kept me in the hospital until last night. So I was in the hospital for a little over two weeks, and had the surgery on Halloween. My urination pain has gone down a lot since I got off the IV fluids. My first meal out of the hospital? McDonalds. LOL. I don't plan on eating like that any more though. I am not going to have soda again and cut back on junk food significantly. I only had the McDonalds because I didn't want my boyfriend to have to cook for me at the time. He does make some delicious perogies and fish.

Is it normal to feel pain inside of you, in your intestine? It's hard to get up and take my Percocets when I just want to sleep. They have a short half-life. I try to take as little of them as possible, just enough to relieve my pain. I've had problems with withdrawal from them.

I had to stay in the hospital for longer because my hemoglobin was dangerously low, enough to have a blood transfusion. Not due to blood loss from surgery - my body wasn't producing red blood cells. It made me really sluggish and tired, and incredibly pale. I've lost a lot of muscle it's shocking. I'm on the upswing now, steadily climbing and getting better.
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