a few post-surgery questions

Well, I came home yesterday afternoon. So far... ok. I think you get a sense of security in the hospital that you lose when you're home! How long is it really going to take before I feel semi decent? My abdomen is sore all over, I can only handle 3-4 bites of a meal... My stoma is working, nothing wrong there thankfully. I had been having some spotting in the hospital, it would be a gush of blood from the vaginal area. Totally sporadic. The wound nurse & surgeon checked it out & all staples look good, no infection. The surgeon said not to worry about some blood- it could be from the fistula tract, it could be from the catheter. It's been happening on & off since I got home. Maybe about 2 T each time??? Do you guys agree, don't worry unless there's severe pain, soaking flow, etc? And peeing- I am going all the time. Surgeon said that my bladder is now supported by my uterus, so it is angled slightly differently since my rectum is gone. I feel the pressure to go, & trickle a llittle. They did a bladder scan, & it's working ok- I think it's just been traumatized, & is tilted a bit weird. Anyone else have this happen? Will it pass???? Each day will get better & easier, I tell myself. In VERY small amounts! Ha!

It took about four weeks after each surgery for my bladder to get back to normal, like Marianne said it's sensitive to anesthesia, and catheterization as well. My surgeon always said if it wasn't back to normal in a month he'd send me to a urologist but that was never necessary.

I think Christine here has had vaginal bleeding on and off since her surgery so maybe she will pop by.

You are doing really great! Don't rush it! Look at recovery in weeks or months.

thanks you guys! I do have to be more patient- it hasn't even been 1 week! Of course, when I posted this originally, it was around 4:30am, up for pain meds, etc. It's always bleakest in the darkest hours! I've become totally OCD about staring at my bag, I check it constantly- is there output? Does the stoma look red? Everything seem ok? I came home & jumped right in the shower, bag & all- I blew it dry lightly when I gout out, & was surprised to see the papery edge of the wafer get all sticky. But it dried super tight again! Psych! No leaks. They sent me home with Convatec Natura bags- with the moldable stomahesive skin barriers. But right now I don't have the moldable barrier, just a regular one with some strip paste. But no signs of a leak- no itching, burning, seeping, etc. I'm anxious to try the moldable wafer deal. My stoma measured right about 1 1/4", so it won't get any larger.. Anyways, I'm rambling- latest Dilaudid kicked in!

     Eva, if you read some of my past posts you'll remember that I have been spotting off and on since my operation and it's been almost four years!!!  The first time was about a month post op and we were with my daughter at a car dealership.  Mind you...I went through the change at age 44 and had my operation about twenty years after, with NO issues of post menopausal bleeding at all.  I panicked and called my surgeon AND gyn doctor.  The surgeon told me he thought it was coming from my anus, as I am not sewn up down there..but I know my anus from vagina .  Anyway...long story short...everything is fine.  I still spot from time to time...but, had two transvaginal ultrasounds, PAP tests...all negative.  My gyn says I am just dry down there and have a thin vaginal wall.  I believe this surgery is very traumatic for our insides..especially us ladies.  It is always best to get checked out...not this soon though...and make sure everything is ok...but I just wanted to put your mind at ease.

Boy, I can empathize with you about the butt pain. I am finally able to sit, but not without some discomfort 3 weeks after having my rectal stump and anus removed. The pain was unbearable at first and much worse than the pain from my hemicolectomy 5 months before. I also have had a lot of vaginal discharge, including blood. No surprise though, because my rectal stump was adhered to my vaginal wall and had to be scraped or cut off and the wall repaired. This has been one heck of a ride and I hope I am finally healing and will be able to feel well again soon. Take care and be patient. Everyday is one day closer to being healthy again and pain free.

I had the same issue with peeing and went to see my doc. He felt that it was caused by catheter and send me to Costco to but some Cranberry capsules. One every morning and after a couple of days there was no more discomfort.