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How long before you start feeling semi-normal and up for physical activity

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Posted 3/13/2015 10:48 PM (GMT 0)
So I had step one of my J pouch surgery about 8 days ago, and I know this question has to be covered somewhere else in this forum, but how long after surgery did you start to feel somewhat normal, the abonormality of having to empty and deal with an ostomy notwithstanding.

Right now I'm kind of sore still, certainly don't feel like running or even leaving the house much. I just still feel like I'm still almost fully in recovery mode. How long until I feel like going out and doing things again?
Posted 3/13/2015 11:28 PM (GMT 0)
I had a perm ileo created, & rectum removal in one surgery. But, seriously- 8 days ago?!?! I was still a pain-med addled mess at that point! It took a good 6 weeks for me to start feeling "normal" again, & even then, Id tire very easily. While I felt physically pretty good, my energy would just not hold up- took daily naps for a long time. Around week 8 I turned a corner, & was able to go for decent walks, stop the daytime napping, drive myself on short errands... I stopped the pain meds fully around week 3- by that time, was just using dilaudid to sleep thru the night. I really didn't "need" it, but it guaranteed me a decent nights sleep! Don't push yourself, let your body dictate what it can & can't do. It's sort of like you're a big baby again.... eat, sleep, poop... however you do it, bag or no!
Posted 3/14/2015 1:58 AM (GMT 0)
I felt okay enough to drive out for a bit and go shopping on some errands and stuff like that after around 6 weeks. Like Eva said, I was also very tired for a long time after the surgery. Also, I too turned a corner around 2 months/ 8 weeks. That was around when I pretty much felt fully like myself again and it was only a week or two before my reversal surgery which was almost 4 weeks ago. It takes quite a while to feel like yourself after the first one but you'll get there. It was a lot sooner after the second. It was only about a month ago for me and I'm already back at work with just some lingering cramping and discomfort.
Posted 3/14/2015 4:00 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for he replies. I was lucky enough to have my surgery done laproscopically, so I'm guessing my healing time won't be as extensive. I mean, I feel relatively good, aside from the fatigue and malaise. I'm not really any pain unless I cough, or have to bend over for something. I was driving a couple days ago. Doing it laproscopically is just a lot less invasive, and I believe my surgeon did a really good job.

I am extremely fatigued at times though. I just got back from a trip to the store and a long drive, and I am absolutely beat. I'm about to go to sleep.

I've read a lot of your posts Amanda and, I was curious how many days you were in the hospital for the second step of the surgery. By the way, I also got diagnosed my senior year of high school and unfortunately, battled it for 10 years. I wish I would have just had it done back when I was your age.

Post Edited (jeffereyr123) : 3/14/2015 3:28:11 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 3/14/2015 4:00 PM (GMT 0)
Yeah about 6-8 weeks I think I was back to work around that time, I always find I heal better if I kind of push my self a bit and getting out to work it helped keep my mind off getting down when you're home alone all day with your stoma.

I swear the way healing works is one week you feel like crap and literally in only a few days later your energy has returned and the pain is minimal to gone its kind of amazing. I did have some lingering fatigue in the early mornings for awhile at work but a coffee in the morning was my new best friend.

I think in the early stages your small intestine is learning to do the job of your colon such as absorbing more water but until it figures out it's new job you can be mildly dehydrated which can make you feel fatigued as well.

I was a little worried about people finding out I had a bag but no one found out I was surprised how I worked a year or so with the stoma and not one person even knew about it!

(3 step jpouch sugery)

Post Edited (Virdent) : 3/14/2015 10:14:17 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 3/14/2015 5:05 PM (GMT 0)
My surgeon made us walk from the day after surgery and all his patients had to walk a full mile before being released from the hospital. Walking had to continue once home. Three weeks after surgery I was back to 10 mile walks. Listen to your body, if fatigued rest, but do get exercise.

Sue
Posted 3/14/2015 5:11 PM (GMT 0)
3 weeks after surgery I no longer needed naps. Probably 6-8 weeks before I felt "somewhat normal"...not winded during exercise, better energy level, etc. about 2 weeks before the takedown I can say I felt like myself and was definitely concerned that I was just going to start all over again with the 2nd surgery. That one was a breeze in comparison...never needed a nap after that one...home in 3 days. Back to Zumba in 4 weeks and 18 holes of golf as soon as I was cleared to lift/turn at 6 weeks. No energy issues at all with 2nd surgery. So hang in there...it does get better. But the whole time with the loop I think I was partially dehydrated which certainly doesn't help with the energy level!

Vicki
Posted 3/14/2015 8:29 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Jefferey! It sucks getting diagnosed the last year of high school dosent it?! Lol. I had to change so much because of it, mostly college related. I'm sorry you've had to deal with it so long. To answer you question I had my second surgery on a Monday and went home that Wednesday. Only spent two nights there and the first one I was so out of it anyway! So it's not quite as long as the first step!
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