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When will the pain go away? Subtotal Colectomy last week...

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Posted 6/24/2008 5:31 PM (GMT 0)
I had a subtotal colectomy exactly a week ago- I am now home; I came home after spending six days in the hospital. I had my first bowel movement three days after the surgery and am still going several times a day. My bowel movements are still very watery. I am still having pretty bad gas pains and an occasional shooting pain (that's about a 10) in my lower left abdominal area, almost by my hip bone. I am trying to walk/get up as much as possible. I am also experiencing some nausea from the pain and medication. In addition to this, my appetite has shrunken so much, but I am trying to eat as much as possible. (I am on a low residue diet). I was 101 lbs. before the surgery, and now I am down to 91 lbs. For those of you who have had colectomies, did you experience similar pain? When did the pain go away for you? When did your appetite come back? Any advice??? Some days are easier than others... I know that the pain won't just disappear overnight, but I'm so tired of it. Thank you SO SO much for your feedback. You have no clue how much it means to have support from those who have gone through this.
Posted 6/24/2008 10:49 PM (GMT 0)
Hang in there hun.....I did not get my appetie back for about three months, but I know it was becuase of complications. 91lbs!!!!! you need to be drinking some carnation instant breakfast with all of your meals to try and get some weight back on. My pain went away after about 4 weeks until I was readmitted, but the initial surgery pain was about 4 weeks. Just keep going....it will all be worth it. My BM's are still runny b/c I have to take some laxatives....its ok. that will ease up as well. I will be praying for you,

lizzie

Posted 6/25/2008 1:44 AM (GMT 0)
i did not have the same surgery you had, but i can tell you about the pains i had after surgery, it lasted about two weeks, that is how long i took the actually pain meds for, ask your dr for some zofran or phenogren (i dont think those are spelled right) they will help with the naseau, and take some gas x for the other pains, it will really help. The appetite will come back, mine came back with a vengance it's really easy to tell, lol.
I hope you feel better sooN!
Posted 6/26/2008 2:25 AM (GMT 0)
Sub - glad to hear you're home. Pain from the surgery took around 4-6 weeks to lessen or go away for me, but my small intestines started spasming when I'd eat. My GI doctor gave me something for the pain but mentioned to me that stress will effect my gut so I decided to take my perscription of xanax I had, but wasn't taking. I'd take a xanax w/ each meal and it really helped.

I guess my intestines just needed more time to heal b/c I had my surgery Oct 07 and by the end of January I was able to stop taking the xanax w/ my meals.

I am very healthy now and can eat whatever I want and have no pain. My bm's are solid and normal now.

They say it takes a year for your body to fully heal from such a surgery. But give yourself 5-6 months to really feel like yourself again.

(((HUGS)))
Posted 6/29/2008 1:11 AM (GMT 0)
I had a subtotal (left with 10 inches) i had mine done june 20th so i am very new to this also. (8 days now) and well i am still in alot of pain also. it is getting better each day though. and i am so glad about that. But i am still very nervous about eating much more then soft foods (that is what i am suspose to be on now anyway) but after this week i am allowed to eat more things and that scares me alot. there are people on here who say certain things cause them blockage and they dont explain what surgery they had do . did their bags get blocked. or did their small colon get blocked or what part got blocked and also what happens with a blockage.. just take some meds to make you poop or to you have to go to the dr and have something done. and does this still happen to them years later. or just like shortly after surgery. so many questions i want to know becuase i dont want anything to go wrong and end up back in the hospital.... I said a prayer for all the people on this message board last night that you all would be feeling better and heal up. This is such a major surgery............. and so hard on our bodies. I cant believe how much pain i have been thru. and the NG tube was awful and i only had it for 2 days and it seemed like a life time. If you need to talk to someone who just had surgery also you can email me at [email protected]
Posted 6/29/2008 5:17 PM (GMT 0)
I understand the underweight issue -- I was 82 lbs after my surgery back in '84!  Took a long time to gain any back.  The recommendation about Carn. Instant Breakfast is a good idea.  I used to make up several of them in pint containers and keep them on hand in the fridge.  Very good made into hot chocolate too!  And if you want a milk shake, just pop the pint container into the freezer for about an hour before your meal and you will have a slushy drink.  I always have CIB on hand in my cupboard.  It probably is the most reasonable to buy and by far, the best tasting.  Lots of good vitamins too.

 

Posted 7/3/2008 1:14 PM (GMT 0)

Sub I hope you are feeling a lot better very soon. :-)  

 

I am following yours and everyone's progress who are having surgeries as I intend to go ahead by sep/oct as cant take anymore. 

 

Do you know whether your whole colon was removed?  I am so confused with sub and total and why some folk on here are having a 'sub' or 'total' colectomy. its confusing and i want to be better informed really.

 

all the best to you.x

karen

Posted 7/4/2008 4:42 PM (GMT 0)
Update: The extreme pain that I had been speaking of was actually an obstruction. My colon/intestine (?) was twisted all around and actually pinching other areas of the colon- my dr. thinks this happened just from moving around after the subtotal colectomy- I had to go back in for another surgery and stay for another 8 days.... MISERABLE. However, I came home last night and am doing much better this time around. Thanks sooooooo much for all of your feedback/advice!!!!
Posted 7/4/2008 4:45 PM (GMT 0)
2much2bear: I am glad that you are going to have this surgery.... It will be worth it. To answer your question, a subtotal colectomy is removing PART of the colon and a total colectomy is removing ALL of the colon. I had a subtotal colectomy, and there are literally inches left of my colon... maybe 3 or 4 inches. Best of luck to you, and please do feel free to ask any questions.
Posted 7/4/2008 5:32 PM (GMT 0)

I am so glad you are ok  cool ub - your smalll bowel was all twisted around?  is that usual?

i saw a hypnotherapist today (she's actually an anaesthatist at the hospital)who I was referred to by my consultant.  She will try to help me manage my symptoms.  She asked me why i thought removing my colon would help me!??? mmmm. doesnt give me much faith at all.  eyes thanks for reply.  hope you continue to do well - keep us posted.

karen x

Posted 7/4/2008 5:59 PM (GMT 0)
Yeah, the colon (I think it was the colon) was twisted around. I don't know if this is common, but my surgeon said that he has fixed this several times after colectomies. He has never had to fix it a third time.

I've never heard of anyone seeing a hypnotherapist, but what a cool idea! And I can understand how her question can be a bit disheartening... You should tell her that removing part/all of the colon would make things move through faster! Many people have colectomies! ;)
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