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Pain after surgery

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Posted 3/8/2011 4:28 PM (GMT 0)
I just had an ilestomie last Wednesday.  I guess I didn't realize just how sore I would be.  If I cough, I feel like my mid section is going to explode.  Standing for a little while or walking is also extremely painful..  How long before this eases and is this normal???  Thanks everyone.  Uggg
Posted 3/8/2011 5:18 PM (GMT 0)
When you cough, make sure you hold something like a pillow against your belly!
Are you taking any pain meds? I was kept quite comfortable most of the time with meds.
Posted 3/8/2011 5:41 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, it does hurt to cough or sneeze. I tried to hold myself so it didn't hurt so bad. You are still very soon after surgery. After a few weeks I started to feel better, but it wasn't until 6 weeks that I started to feel normal again. Don't feel bad about using your pain medication. That's what it's for. Good luck and take it easy.

Keep walking, it will help with the healing process.
Posted 3/8/2011 6:20 PM (GMT 0)
Agree with the suggestion to hold pillow or cushion over your stomach when coughing, sneezing or laughing. My Dad very knidly bought me a copy of Naked Gun 2 1/2 when I came out of hospital after first op as he knew I loved the first one. Brilliant film but I had tears of laughter and pain running down my face by the end of it, thanks Dad! lol

Also take pain meds regularly to ensure constant dose even if you don't feel too bad and then the more you move around the quicker you will heal. But take it gently and steadily. Gentle strolls around the house and garden every hour or so, not far but enough to keep you moving. It you stay static, when you do go to move it will hurt as muscles and soft tissue get used to being in static position.

I also used arnica tablets after surgery as they reduce swelling and bruising, they work well for me but don't know if anyone else has tried them.
Posted 3/8/2011 6:27 PM (GMT 0)
hi, sounds like your abdomen is just right - getting in & out of bed of rolling in bed was a delicate manouver (?spelling) for me too - this will get better as the days go by - i thought it felt as if a jeep had rolled over my tummy - remember not only is there the visible scar to heal but the inside bits have also been messed about with & stitched up as well

wishing you continued good progress
Posted 3/8/2011 6:45 PM (GMT 0)
Definitely keep ahead of the pain and manage it so you will want to get out of bed and walk as much as you can. Protein is VERY important while healing...it helps you heal faster too. If you don't want to eat too too much then have a protein shake or two each day to get the protein in you or protein bars.

If you are walking and a sneeze comes on you support the abdomen area but also lift one leg just to take some strain off things and your back. Your back might become weak or out of whack (happened to hubby) due to lying differently or whatever so be on the watch for that so it doesn't intensify on you. He needed muscle relaxers and it plagued him for a few weeks.

Each and every day you will notice improvements here and there.
Posted 3/8/2011 11:00 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you everyone!! I love this forum!
Posted 3/9/2011 12:24 AM (GMT 0)
also, watch while you are walking, you are probably hunching forward, it's normal to keep the strain off your stomach, but while that helps for a minute, it ends up with horrible back pain later! that was the worst for me was the back pain and when i asked the surgeon, he said, i watched you walk in you are hunched over, everyone does that!

i slept with a body pillow on the bed and i leaned up against it so i could kind of sleep on my side, that helped my back a lot.
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