Requesting advice about surgery

What is recovery like? Everyone has described this well, but remember everyone is different. Mine went very smooth because I had a colostomy for 6 months so I was really healthy going into surgery. My surgery was Monday morning and I left on Friday afternoon. Your recovery will go faster, with more walking, as much as you can stand. And sit up in the chairs they give at the hospital too. My hospital had rocking chairs which aid in healing the stomach and reduce complications so try and see if your hospital has one you can use. really more comfy too :)

How much weight did you lose post surgery? 5 pounds. Just from not eating for a few days and the liquid diets. I haven't gained it back yet so that's nice :)

How long until you feel better? I felt better as soon as I left the hospital. Those places suck. In general I think most people who aren't really sick fell better 1 to 2 weeks after surgery, 6 to 8 weeks for normal. Also it depends on if you are cut open or have lapro. Lapro is a faster heal time obviously. And if you are cut, staples make you feel tight where as stitches are much more comfortable. (I had staples for my colostomy and stitches for my Temp ileo)

And this is a silly question, but do you miss your colon? Yes and no. There is a normal grieving process after surgery. Expect random crying and emotions to be high. Surgery is traumatic. even if you are mentally prepared, it still takes it's toll. But everyday will get better, especially as you realize you have no more symptoms!

Can you feel that it's gone? no, but I did get a couple of weird feelings every now and then the 2nd week out of surgery.

Is your abdomen smaller after the surgery? unfortunately no. LOL

Things I didn't expect were: Bleeding from the anus. I got all freaked because they forgot to tell me I would pass surgery blood. I knew I'd pass mucous but I wasn't prepared for the blood. Get the hospital to give you disposable undies and overnight pads. I passed the blood on the 3rd night and didn't have control over it when I slept. I gained control over the night leaks in just 3 days.

Use wet wipes to clean any mucous and blood that you pass as they are much gentler on your skin.

Your stoma Will look really big. Don't worry it will shrink pretty dramatically after about 10 days and will continue to shrink for about 6-8 weeks. My loop looked like a clown nose until day 9. it's now down to 1/2 wide and 1 inch long.

Your output may be high at first, so start being aware of drinking plenty. I've already had dehydration issues and I'm drinking 8-10 glasses a day.

Don't feel like you have to use the bags they give you in the hospital. Call the big companies and request samples. There are tons of options out there and the only way to figure out what works best for you is get samples and do research.
Also, make sure you always have at least 4-6 wafers extra because you never know when you will spring a leak and have trouble getting a seal. Trust me I learned the hard way and had only one wafer left before a I placed and order because a weekend catastrophe. Not fun.

Naps are your new best friend!

Never be afraid to ask you WOCN for help if you have issues with your appliance. That's what they are there for!

I think that's it on the surprises and advice I wish i'd known when I had my 2 different surgeries. Hope it helps and Good Luck!!!

To answer the questions about the drains from a couple of days ago... I had a JP drain in my abdomen after my initial surgery. This seems somewhat standard, though it sounds like not everyone gets one. This just collects normal post-surgery drainage. The drain in my but cheek was for fluid build up in my abdomen that they saw on a ct scan a month later. Like ByeByeUC, my drain was in my upper left butt cheek... right through the most meaty, muscular part which is why I think it hurt so bad. A surgeon actually placed it while I was getting a CT scan so they could get it in the perfect spot for what they thought was an abscess (as I mentioned... ended up just being random fluid).

No it didn't hurt when they took the JP drain out -- it just was weird because the tube was way longer than I'd realized, so it was like they were reeling it in.

Get them to put some of that waterproof clear dressing over the bandage after it's out though (like the stuff they put on the IV or for me they put over the place my stoma spot was marked before surgery). With mine they just put a pad and some tape on at first, and it soaked through two johnnies and some sheets.... very annoying, I just still had a lot of drainage. Then a nurse put that stuff (tegemarc? I can't remember what it's called exactly) on it, and it was fine. It took a few days, but I had smaller and smaller bandages and then it closed up. No stitches.

So, this one is not such a big deal. It is a little weird having it hanging out of you -- looks like a plastic hand grenade full of Hawaiian punch, and they drain it into a cup ...