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Surgery tomorrow morning

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Posted 10/6/2014 8:29 PM (GMT 0)
I am doing the prep and getting ready for my first of three surgeries tomorrow at 7am. Sub-total colectomy with an end ileostomy. I'm not as worried about the surgery as I am about the afterward. Getting to know my stoma and learning how to love and care for it. Any suggestions before the big event?? Thanks to all
Posted 10/6/2014 8:35 PM (GMT 0)
I just had surgery two weeks ago. I have an permanent ileostomy and I'm surprised at how easy it is to take care of. The one thing I did right after surgery was walk. I walked so much while I was in the hospital. Up and down the hall. Whatever daily goal my surgeon would set I would do a few more. It will help you heal and will help your intestines wake up.

Also stay on a low residue diet once they transition you from liquids. Don't just eat whatever food they bring you. Sometimes they make mistakes and bring food you're not ready for.

Good luck! I'm sure you'll do fine.
Posted 10/6/2014 8:42 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks so much. I was in the hospital for 8 days with a flare that almost put me in a coma and they didn't get me up. I am still paying, trying to get my muscles to have some strength again. So, walking it is, and I'm so paranoid to eat anything, so I will be careful!!
Posted 10/6/2014 8:53 PM (GMT 0)
Good luck!!!
Posted 10/6/2014 10:00 PM (GMT 0)
I posted my advice on the thread you made on the ulcerative colitis forum. You should read it, but don't let it scare you!!
Posted 10/6/2014 10:27 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, I accidently put it there, forgot I'm moving on to a whole new category!!
Posted 10/7/2014 1:44 AM (GMT 0)
Stay positive - stay informed. You will do fine. When I had my surgery, someone advised be to mentally treat the healing as being in training for a marathon and not a sprint.
Good luck tomorrow!!!!
Posted 10/7/2014 1:45 AM (GMT 0)
Stay positive - stay informed. You will do fine. When I had my surgery, someone advised be to mentally treat the healing as being in training for a marathon and not a sprint.
Good luck tomorrow!!!!
Posted 10/7/2014 4:00 AM (GMT 0)
I think rchodos made a good point. Basically, be patient with yourself and the healing process afterwards. You're going to feel so much better almost instantly without the colitis, but that can often be misleading as you are having a MAJOR surgery on top of the emotional stress and however physically wrecked you are going into surgery.

Don't be afraid to ask questions, or ask for help from those around you. Take your time with things (eating, chewing, even walking - if you can only get to the chair on the other side of the room the first time you try be happy with that).

Good luck!
Posted 10/7/2014 11:11 AM (GMT 0)
Just wanted to let you know I'm thinking of you!! Can't wait to find out how you are feeling after your surgery.

Right now I can't sleep. I seem to be able to sleep for 4 hours, then have to go pee but it takes forever for me to get back to sleep. Wonder if it's the steroids.. Or maybe just being at the hospital. I could never sleep all too well at the hospital, now after surgery, with the pain I guess it makes things worse... Anyway so here I am, reading more info on surgery! Haha, I think I enjoy this forum a little too much sometimes. >.>
Posted 10/8/2014 6:04 AM (GMT 0)
Annadee, I had the same issue with sleep after each of my surgeries. 3 months after the last one and some days I still do! It was like I'd only sleep in tiny increments - 3 hours here, 15 minutes there all throughout the day.
Posted 10/8/2014 7:44 AM (GMT 0)

ArPAr said...
Annadee, I had the same issue with sleep after each of my surgeries. 3 months after the last one and some days I still do! It was like I'd only sleep in tiny increments - 3 hours here, 15 minutes there all throughout the day.

Wow, yeah that is similar to me! I did have an hourish long nap at around 1pm.. it gave me a lot of energy. Now I'm up late again, lol. Planning to hit the hay in 15 mins though, going to try hard to get some sleep.
Posted 10/8/2014 2:54 PM (GMT 0)
Beatle~ I hope your surgery went well and that you are at the start of a smooth recovery and healthy, new life!

As for the sleep thing....I haven't gotten a "normal" night's sleep since the flare that killed my colon started. Then I couldn't sleep because I was in the bathroom every 45 minutes. I thought I'd be able to sleep well after surgery, but not at all! And even now, I very rarely sleep more than 4 hours at a time....it kinda sucks!
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