Surgery Soon - tips or what to expect?

Hi, I'm sorry to hear about everything going on with you. Congratulations on your first child. One thing I've learned is that Crohn's never cooperates when it comes to timing.

Is it your small or large intestine (or both) that's involved? Will your surgeon be doing multiple resections, or removing one area? I only have experience with the colon. The one thing that I can say at this point is that having surgery when you're not in a big flare (emergency surgery) should give you an easier recovery, especially since it sounds like you're in good physical condition otherwise. Are you currently on immunosuppressants? Even with complications from my colon surgery, I wouldn't go back to what I had prior.

The reason I asked about the meds is that it can affect the healing process, and that may be something to talk to your doctor about on what to expect. I know they gave me a steroid shot at the time of surgery because of the stress the body's under, like a booster or sorts. I had gallbladder surgery while on pred. and my skin tore at the stitches, causing small holes. I had been on pred. for a long time though, considered steroid dependent, but I managed to get off with a very long taper that same year, and I eventually healed. I don't say all that to worry you, just to inform.

As I said earlier, your otherwise good physical health should be a plus for you. Getting up and moving when they let you after surgery helps in the healing process too.

I was hoping someone with small intestinal surgery background would chime in, as I only have experience with the colon. I will tell you one thing that I wish someone had told me before my colon surgery, but I don't know how relevant it is with the small intestine or how rare it is - the resection can become obstructed with scar tissue as it heals. My anastomosis did this and I had to have a dilatation around six weeks after surgery to open it back up, but I never had to have another though my GI said I probably would. Like I said, I'm not trying to cause fear, but let you know what to watch for or ask about ahead of time. I know it would have been helpful to me to have recognized sooner what was going on at the time.

I hope all goes well for you. As I said, even with the complications I had, I wouldn't go back to where I was prior. Hopefully it will be complication-free.

I had a bowel resection of about 8 inches of small bowel at the ileocecal valve a year ago. It was an elective procedure but I was not in the best shape at the time (I was down about 15 lbs and hadn't been working out at all from the joys of my Crohn's at the time). My procedure was laparoscopic and pretty straight forward, I did not have any complications so my advice comes from that perspective.

You can expect to be very tired for at least 1-2 weeks after the surgery. My recovery was the most tired I have ever been and I have two small children, so many sleepless nights. I think it took about a month for me to feel like I had the same amount of energy I had beforehand. You may possibly have extreme nausea when you wake up and for awhile immediately after surgery (anesthesia can cause this). If this happens and you start to vomit, grab a pillow and hold it against your incision. You will also have a lifting restriction for several weeks. I wasn't allowed to even lift a gallon of milk for the first 2 weeks. This is all that's coming to me now, let me know if you have more specific questions. Good luck with your surgery.

Roemdu- I wish I had some advice to offer but my disease is in the colon only and haven't had surgery...yet.... but others will be along shortly to help you out with their knowledge.

I just wanted to wish you a successful surgery and fast recovery. I was a 20 year paramedic/firefighter and this dd brought me to my knees. I am always glad to meet other medics that are fighting a good fight against this disease.

Please keep us posted on how you are doing!

The biggest advice: start walking a few steps at first, then a couple of hours later more steps. Walking is great for the healing process. Within a week you should be walking up to a mile a day broken up into 4-5 200 yard walks. On week 2 increase it more to get to 2 miles a day.

Avoid lying down prone, sit up and remain active.

Eat lots of soft foods: noodles, rice.