Hello! So i was happily discharged from the hospital yesterday afternoon. I'm feeling pretty good although i get tired easily and have a constant kind of tight uncomfortable feeling in my abdomen. My surgeon said that everything went fine but they had trouble stretching the small intestine down to form the pouch so they ended up creating an S pouch instead of a J. I thought this was pretty surprising since I was under the impression that they didn't really make the S ones anymore, but my surgeon didn't seem concerned. I've kind of been afraid to eat anything since it's only been a week since surgery. I mostly eat soup, crackers, cheerios, etc, things that I think should flow pretty well through my poor little intestine. My stomach is still a bit swollen, more so on the side that my ileo is on, will this go away soon or does it take several weeks? Also, I know everyone says to walk walk walk, but how much is enough, i get tired pretty easily but I'm not sure if walking for just a few minutes at a time is enough.

Glad to see your home My son is having his done next month I was wondering how long you were in the hospital for? They said my son would be in from 5-8days?

Hey, Pixie. Glad you are home! I am almost home. I am still in Cleveland at the GuestHouse waiting a couple days to make sure I am strong enough to fly home. I too am very weak right now. I get out of breath easily, and I am struggling to stand completely upright because the distention in my abdomen. I am using percocet for pain, and 800mg Motrin for inflammation. I'm only taking the Motrin 2x a day and it really helps especially at night. It makes me feel less swollen. I had surgery on Wed. Sept. 12 and was discharged yesterday.
I bet any kind of walking helps, even bath and forth to the bathroom, the kitchen, everyday give yourself a little challenge. Like walk across 2 rooms in the house, then take a break, and do it again later. It hurts and takes away a lot of energy at first, but it make resting periods more comfortable. I can rest and sleep better when I exhaust my self a little. Remember to take care of your pain, that can inhibit walking if your just to sore/stiff/puffy.
Good luck

Walking a few minutes at a time is definitely enough, especially so soon after surgery. While I was in the hospital, I had to be accompanied and could only walk to the end of one hall (took about 1 minute). I did that for a few days, then I tried to turn the corner to go a little further, and kept trying to go further. People would laugh because I always held a pillow on my stomach because I felt like everything was going to fall out (as if the scar would pop open or something. As long as you're trying to walk when you can and only increase as much as you can, you'll be ok. Don't overdo. You will know when it's time to increase. I had a one-step so I don't know about the swelling on the ileo side. Well wishes to you. Congratulations on making it this far!
Mav+

You dont want to push yourself to hard to walk but you dont want to be bedridden or live your life sitting in a recliner watching tv all day either...try to do some walking through the day around the house and even if it is just to the bathroom and walking around the living room a few times.... eventually your nutrients that you have been deprived off having surgery will work itself back into your system and everything will become a little easier to do and your strength will return...rememnber dont push yourself...you have been through a lot and your body is continuing to repair itself...but try to at least some type of exercise or walking even if in the first 3 days all you can do is stand up and sit right back down and if you got someone whos pushing you to the extreme and your still hurting or weak thats not what you want and you want someone definatly whos positive with you and let you proceede on your own pace but with a little encouragemnent

Jeffrey

Congratulations on a successful surgery!

I am scheduled for step one in November, so have no advice to offer. I am curious, though, about your S-pouch. Did they say why they had trouble stretching the intestine? Are you a tall person?

Cheers,
Kevin

Thanks for the kind words
Diehl: I was in the hospital for 7 days, they were going to keep me one more day but they really needed my bed for another pt.
Kevin: Yes my surgeon said they had difficulty stretching my small intestine down, i'm about 5'7 so that's not really that tall but everyone's anatomy is different.
I had my first shower alone today and am quite exhausted, lol, but other than that still feeling good.