I had my permanent ileostomy surgery Monday and everything went very smoothly. I remember nothing from the actual surgery except for the pre-op stuff. I remember giving my hubby a hug and kiss and then being given a sedative before being wheeled down the hall. I don't remember anything from the operating room, recovery room or even my hospital room for a while. My surgeon has been amazing though and filled me in on how everything went. He continues to stop by my room twice a day to answer questions. I think a great surgeon makes all the difference!
I was walking the evening of the surgery and went on six short walks the first day and every day since. The pain is bad, but the IV pain medications I am on, including one that was administered by an on-demand pump, manage it quite well. I have now switched to oral Percocet and it is not helping quite as much. I will give it some time though. As soon as the pain is managed with oral meds. I will get to go home. The docs are thinking tomorrow or Saturday. I was on a liquid diet for the first two days, but then switched to solid food. The past two days I have had a small sandwich, some yogurt, eggs, and a small waffle. All gluten free (I also have Celiac) thanks to the hospital's great gluten free menu. My stoma seems to be working just fine with good output. I met with an ostomy nurse yesterday and she showed me and my husband how to change the bag and empty it. I have been emptying it myself since then. It is so easy and only takes a couple of minutes! Tonight the ostomy nurse is coming back and my husband and I have to change the bag ourselves with her watching to make sure we can do it on our own.
I have no problems looking at my stoma and am actually pretty amazed by it. I think it is kinda cute how it moves around on its own. And then it makes these toot noises... totally cracks me up. Ha! It just made one now. I think there will be no option but to tell my coworkers about
my appliance if my stoma keeps its little musical numbers going.
I am excited to go home but also a little nervous. It is nice to have nurses on hand to answer questions at a moment's notice about
pain, medications, output etc. while at the hospital. Hopefully I will be able to handle all of this on my own once at home, with the help of my family and friends.
So, from my experience, the pain is probably the hardest part to deal with. It definitely hurts a lot, but I know this will go away. So far, I am so glad I got this surgery. Even with the pain, I feel healthier knowing that my diseased colon is gone and will never give me trouble again.
Post Edited (Blueheron) : 11/11/2010 3:59:24 PM (GMT-7)