First Few Days Home After Surgery

My first night home and I have some observations.

I don't sleep well at all. Haven't had that sharp pain but just an overall feeling of being uncomfortable.

Did you forgo the pain meds b/c they slow down the bowels? I took the oyxi-conti (sp?) and it did absolutely nothing for me.

As soon as my wounds heal up more I plan on just taking some Motrin.

I also have developed a bad habit of waking up in the middle of going to the bathroom. Whatever it is that use to wake me up to go to the bathroom isn't working they way it use to. Going to have to buy some Chucks and some of those rubber baby pee pads.

It's so good to be home :)

I can't see how pain meds could ever constipate me, my ileostomy makes my stool almost completely water. I took the pain meds for as long as I needed to, especially at night. Sometimes just lying on your side hurts if your surgery was extensive. If you're well rested you'll feel much better the next day.

As for urination, mine was different after surgery also. This time there was a sense of urgency that came on suddenly, and I couldn't make it half the time, but my last surgery I couldn't go at all, even with the sense that I was going to explode. It took biofeedback.

So, everything in there is a little off for a while, it WILL get better. Welcome home.

It sure is good to hear that you are back home again. And acclimating to your home surroundings. It will take some time to get into your 'home' routine. Don't worry about the going-to-the-bathroom in the middle of the night thing right now - it, too, will resolve itself. You probably didn't realize how much less sleep you really DIDN'T get while in the hospital with all their noises and their schedule of checking on you, etc. Once your body gets its much needed rest and starts to heal, you will be back into your routine. Your body is probably exhausted from the surgery and from you worrying about your bowels waking up. Sleep allows it to heal.

I am a big wimp when it comes to pain! I've experienced enough of it that I am OK not experiencing anymore of it. So, you bet, I take the pain killers. After surgery, moving around for me was better if I took the pain pill and then did the walking thing, or shower, or whatever. Its been a long time since I had my abd surgery, but I remember the pain of it!!

Are you taking any tylenol to ease the pain? Tylenol won't hurt the stomach (I've always had problems with ibuprofen, aleve type of drugs and can't take them). You might even think about just taking 1/2 of the pain pill - after, of course, checking with your pharmacist to be sure that you can safely cut the pill in 1/2. That might be enough for you at shorter intervals. ie - instead of 1 whole pill every 4-6 hrs, take 1/2 pill every 2-3 hrs. That always works much better for me --- it can digest more quickly cuz the edge where the pill has been cut doesn't have that stomach friendly coating on it, it is smaller and easier to swallow, drinking a cup of something warm with it will also get it dissolved a little quicker. Too many pain meds can interfere with motility, but you have to weigh your level of tolerance and decide if you need them.

Chucks are a wonderful thing~ whenever I visit someone, or stay at a hotel, I always put a chucks under the sheets. My own little private security blanket!!!

So good to hear that you are home.... how's the eating coming? What all have you attempted since graduating from liquids? Keep us posted.....

First of all, pain has been a really big issue for me since waking up from surgery. Apparently, an anesthesiologist didn't give me the epidermal shot in the correct spot, and I felt everything when I woke up from surgery. The pain was so excruciating that all I could do was scream! Unfortunately, my whole family was in the recovery room and had to experience my trauma. Later, I was given Percocet--a wonderful, wonderful drug.  I can understand how people become addicted to it because it made my pain go away and made me feel soooo gooood!! I had one prescription to take home with me, and my doctor let me have one refill. Even with  rationing myself by cutting each pill into fourths, the Percocet was soon gone. Now it has been three months since my surgery, and I take Aleve whenever I have pain or soreness. However, I have found  that the best way for me to get relief from pain is to get out and walk. Sometimes I walk alone and sometimes my friends walk with me.  I try to walk a mile every day.  I am keeping the faith that tomorrow will be better than today!!

Jennie

Post Edited (nene205) : 11/4/2007 7:05:18 AM (GMT-7)

Judy,
Thank you so much. I have been having stomach pains for two weeks now and was about to post a question about this. I don't see my surgeon until Nov. 29, and I live over two hours from him. When I called the office, the nurse said to come in to see him-easier said than done. Also, my husband is fighting melanoma which has me tied down with his appointments. Thank you again for being so caring!!
NeNe

Nene,

Good luck at your doctors appointment, but try to cut down on that Aleve, it may be causing your stomach pain.

I hope you don't mind my asking, but how is your husband doing? What stage of Melanoma does he have? I'm asking because I'm one of the main care givers for my father-in-law who has Stage 4 melanoma. Unfortunately it didn't have any symptoms until it had alread spread because it started in his maxillary sinus. He is considered terminal, but has recently been responding well to his chemotherapy. At least it has shrunk the tumors some and made him a little more comfortable.

Anyway, good luck to you and your husband. I hope you caught it early. If caught early enough the prognosis is much, much better.