It's here - surgery tomorrow!!!

Good Luck tomorrow.

(I just realized you had one surgery already...so you kind of know some of the following anyway.)

It's not easy but walk as much as you can when they get you up to help wake things up and get things going....of course chew, chew, chew when you start food and lots of water to stay hydrated when IVs are gone.

The podium style walker was the most comfortable height for my husband to use in the hospital.  The hospital gave (it went on the hospital bill) my husband a blow up cushion that had a lot of holes in it to give him good cushioning when he sat and having that at home helped when he needed to sit up.

Definitely stay ahead of the pain and ask for extra in the IV if you need it especially the first few days.  Once the pain gets ahead of you if it does it is very difficult to catch up...happened once to my husband.  After that he kept his cell phone right on the table and set the alarm on it for the every 4 hrs (?) that he could ask for some extra relief so he did not get into that situation again.  Fortunately that was only for 3-4 days of the 7 days he was in the hospital.

Good Luck and check in when you are able and up to it.

This is my first surgery and thanks so much for the tips - walk walk walk, chew chew chew and stay ahead of the pain.

Right now after a day long prep, I am really looking forward to that first real meal. But, I'll control myself and take it easy when I see that food.

     Just read this post, so your surgery is today.  Thinking and praying for you and a speedy recovery!  You already received excellent advice

Glad to hear things went well. Fingers crossed for bowel noises and gas! (First signs of intestines waking up.) Keep us posted!!

The bowels woke up today and I was able to walk a bit. Also started clear liquids - apple juice and soup. But, I dank them very very slowly. Overall, it was a good day but still feel like I was hit by a truck!!!

The hit by a truck feeling will be gone soon! Good to hear you are up and about and had a good day. :)

Best of luck to you! I noticed the colon pain disappearing right away. You never know just how sick you really are until you get that problem area taken care of.

Please keep us posted! We're here for you to answer any questions!

Just go very slowly....small meals and "safe foods" in the beginning. As mentioned chew really well, stay well hydrated. Protein is your friend....helps accelerate healing. Walking even with the discomfort is the best thing you can do to help everything overall and the gas.

In the beginning keep a food journal to keep track of what agrees with you and in the off chance something does not.

Thickening foods eat in moderation with alot of fluids so your output is not too thick. about 3 weeks after surgery hubby had a chinese food lunch and ate about 3/4 of it...it was so good but he ate too much...had a blowout that night...not pretty. He chewed really well but it was too much for him that soon.

Yes, it is normal to have a bit of trouble digesting food the first few days. It took about a week for me to really feel confident eating.

The gas pains can be pretty bad, but they will go away after two or three weeks when the swelling goes down. Until then you just kind of have to be patient. Here are things that will help bloating and gas to pass: walking, changing positions (knees up etc), gentle belly rub in between incisions, hot tea (chamomile or peppermint are soothing on the tummy), Gas-X (ask for simethicone), hot packs on your belly (they have unending supply at the hospital, so don't be afraid to ask for as many as you need - I went through about three a day when I was there). Keep rotating through all of those things until the pain subsides. Good luck, and continue to keep us posted!