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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 3/30/2014 7:32 PM (GMT 0)
So i had the surgery(total colectomy) now i have run into some trouble, looking for some advice.
1. Started to get a temp no suprise, infection, so opended up the stiches cleaned everything up and now temp is off and on cold, hot, cold, hot, clamy it seems neverending after 2 days.
2. NG tube yaaaaa my favorite, glaaaaak. Ive had this in since day 2 because i was throwing everything up no food or dring is awfull, the odd ice chip 2 clean my mouth and hydrate, seems like my illeo is working, i 1/2 fill it 3 times a day, but yet i cant get stomach bowel, and illeo to work at same time.
Share any experiences or advice. I cant wait to have a tall cold glass of juice, and some real food.
Posted 3/30/2014 7:36 PM (GMT 0)
I don't have any advice,but I'm quite worried for you! This sounds serious, hopefully you're still in hospital? If not, please please please get in touch with your doctor.
Posted 3/30/2014 8:15 PM (GMT 0)
I second that
Posted 3/30/2014 8:57 PM (GMT 0)
You must still be in the hosptial, right? I had a rough week after my surgery too. I didn't have the dreaded ng tube.....came close though. I was throwing up for about three days straight. Then it stopped and I was able to keep food down. I wish I had some advice for you but I just had to ride it out that time. You're in good hands in the hosptial....they know what to do. Many times after colectomy the small bowel "goes to sleep" (ileus) and it just takes some time to get working properly again hence the reason for the ng tube. My issue was I had extemely high output from my ileo and they wouldn't let me leave the hosptial until it slowed down. If you can, get up and walk as much as possible.

Also, not many people here have had surgery. Try posting in the ostomies forum and you should get more responses. Sorry you're having troubles. Hang in there.
Posted 3/30/2014 10:46 PM (GMT 0)
Sounds like you won the lottery in terms of bad luck after colectomy, but I would absolutely not be worried. Those are two of the most common complications after abdominal surgery and it sounds like they are being handled exactly correctly.

The most important thing while you have the NG tube is to keep your spirits up. No ileus lasts forever... It might feel that way, but this too shall pass. You can help it along by getting lots of rest, walking a lot, chewing gum (if your surgeon says it's OK), and spending time sitting up in a chair instead of only lying in bed. I didn't have the NG tube but I was NPO for six days after my j-pouch surgery because my surgeon felt that even though I had ileo output it wasn't "enough". In retrospect he was 100% correct.

Keep the long game in mind. Post op lasts a few weeks, but the results are forever!
Posted 3/31/2014 2:06 AM (GMT 0)
Get out of bed and walk. Walking increases motility and will be key in getting an NG removed.

Sue
Posted 3/31/2014 12:25 PM (GMT 0)
Feeling any better today?
Posted 3/31/2014 7:05 PM (GMT 0)
I just got out of the hospital(15 days) a couple of days ago for step-2 of a 3-step. I was on the floor with other colo-rectal/gastric surgery patients; I would see patients walking the floor with NG tubes and the more often I saw them walking around the sooner their NG tubes were removed.

Walk as much as you can and the more you walk the easier it is. Ask for help in getting out of bed if you need it, that was the toughest part for me.

Our surgeon (Pluot and I had the same surgeon) is a big believer in Tylenol every 6 hours while you are in the hospital for surgery, even if you don't have a temperature. His reasoning is to prevent a temperature while the patient is recovering and its a very minor drug to be putting in your body for a couple of weeks.
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