Congrats on a successful surgery. Don't be shy about
the pain meds during your first week - they can do a lot to help you feel comfortable and get around a lot more easily in the beginning. I am two weeks out from my surgery and living with a loop ileo as well (did not have the rod, however). My recovery has gone really smoothly for the most part - was cautious testing the waters but have eaten all kinds of foods with no trouble at all. Just make sure to stay away form anything that could cause a blockage (anything fibrous or with a visible husk, seed, nut, or membrane that is difficult to break down), and you should be fine. Also, remember to drink lots of water and chew, chew, chew your food!
My only real struggle was with a couple episodes of very painful gas that lasted a few hours each, but that is normal, and they go away for good after the first two or three weeks when the swelling goes down. A couple days ago (just under two weeks) is when I started feeling back to normal. Incisions mostly healed, no more gas pains, everything digesting beautifully, moving around comfortably, and getting my energy and social life back.
If you want to read more details about
my recovery so you can know what to expect, feel free to check out my blog (click on the link below).
Hang in there - recovery will fly by and you'll be back on your feet in no time.
