Hello,

There is a problem with dysplasia in my jpouch so having kpouch done Monday 6/11.

Apologies in advance for ?s:
How was the surgery and having the 'barbie butt' closed?
Was it very painful to start walking and how soon did you start walking in the hospital?
Anything different from Jpouch surgeries that I can expect to feel/experience?

1,000,000 Thanks
Eric

Eric,
I'll try to answer your questions as I'm just about 4 weeks post k-pouch surgery myself.

Truthfully the pain from my abdomindal incision way overshadowed any pain from the proctectomy until about 2 weeks post-op. Thats not to say I couldn't feel it just that in comparison, it didn't matter much. Now the most pain I have is from the proctectmy and barbie butt though I have to say it is nothing like I imagined. I imagined more incisional pain the the truth of the matter is that pain is mostly muscular. Hard to describe really. For the first week or so I felt that there was a little wad of TP shoved between my cheeks

Yes its painful to start walking but not because of the proctectomy, just because of surgery itself, and they had me out of bed the day after surgery. I walked to the bathroom for a wash-up and later in the evening walked to the door and back.

As far as differences between j-pouch and k-pouch surgeries, don't think I can help you there. I was only 13 when I got my j-pouch and don't remember much of the surgeries or recoveries.

Wishing you the best of luck!

--
katie

Hi

Thank you for the information.

How long did you have to keep the catheter in?

Are you up and around, driving, etc now that it is 4 weeks post-op?

Eric

Eric,
The cath is still in, I was told it had to stay in until my post-op appointment which is June 20. At that point they'll take it out and teach me how to intubate on my own. I'm looking forward to getting it out! I've also been told sometimes they scope the pouch and I'm hoping so, I'd love to see it

I'm getting out of the house for an hour or so almost every day now but not driving yet as I'm still taking some pain meds. I'm cutting them in half and taking them 6 or more hours a part now but I don't feel comfortable driving with narcotics in my system!

It will probably be another 3 weeks before I return to work and then I'll only return p/t as I have a desk job and there's no way I could sit 8 hours a day.

I'll be thinking of you on Monday!

--
katie

Good Luck with your surgery..hope all goes well for you.
When are you having it done and will you be in Philly?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: lesrich1,

Hi,

RE SURGERY:
I had poor experiences at Mt Sinai with the leading Dr. for my J Pouch.
I had 1 repair of wrong mesh he put in for a surgical hernia by/with Dr Rolandelli at Morristown Hospital, NJ. He is amazing, skilled and caring, Nurses come when you buzz and are cheerful-that means a lot. He is doing the Kpouch
I am going in Monday and hope to be a happy K Poucher before long.
Eric

Eric,
I hopeyoudon't mind my asking. but who was your doctor at Mt. Sinai?

Mila

Hi

My initial Sinai surgeon was Dr Bauer-as I wrote, brillant but i had every infection possible, a few poor choices were made, nurses did not come-they are good but very shorthanded (at least at that time) and i had to hire a private nurse at a very high/non-insurance covered rate.
If it is a straight ahead surgery, he should be fine, but any problems are YOUR fault ... so i switched, Gorfine at that practice is Great as is Dr Mike Harris at Sinai-see him for another opinion if need (but Harris does not do Kpouch, Gorfine does.)

Thanks Eric,

Living in NYC and meeting several surgeons, of course I've heard of Dr. Bauer. I went back to reread your posts and you never mentioned his name, only that he was a leading Dr. My daughter used Barry Salky who performs lapro (colon removal), and is top in his field. For the j pouch we used Dr. Greenstein, we were not so happy as he severed her ureter and cut a fistula with the stapler. Yesterday, Dr. Heimann (trained Gorfine) fixed the fistula yesterday and feels he got a good result. I'm sorry we didn't use Heimann all along, but we went with the suggestion of Dr. Kornbluth, on of the top GI's in NYC. I'm sure you've herd of him.Good luck with your k pouch, hope it all goes smoothly.

Mila

sorry for the typos!!!!

You should walk as much as you can as soon as you can. If you are in pain, take a pain shot and when it takes effect, get up and walk. Have a nurse with you and walk until she gets tired. Fake a faint just to get nurses attention. The more you walk the quicker you will feel better. Once around the room is not walking. Should be able to do a 100 yards the first time. Thirty minutes the next day. Get a push IV pole and use to steady yourself if needed.
tp

Hi Eric
I'm was warned about Mt Siani when I was chosing between Dr. Bauer and Dr. Milsom for my k pouch surgeon. I went with Dr. Milsom because he was better and worked with Fazio in cc ( and still does he told me). NY Presbitarian is rated really well. My friend didn't like Bauer. My surgery is scheduled on the 21.
Good luck to you and your surgery!
Karmen

Karmen and Eric,
I may have skipped over it, but where are you having your surgeries done and by who ?
Lynne

Hi Lynn
I am having it done by Dr. Milsom at NY Presbytarian on June 21 st. He seems to be great with credentials and is a nice person. Very sweet. He did work at the Cleveland Clinic a while ago with Dr. Fazio.
Karmen