So nervous and excited for my takedown scheduled for Wed 9/14. Can anyone answer some I f my questions? How long did it take for your bowels to wake up? Did your incision cause a lot of pain? How often did you go to restroom in the beginning and are you in there for a long time like in the UC/Chrohns days? Thanks for any responses!
Replies sorted oldest to newest
It took one day after surgery. Incision site was sore for a few days, left hospital with Tylenol, never needed anything stronger. In the beginning I was making about 10 trips to bathroom, not too long, especially because more liquid stools, but that will change. Now, I am about 6 weeks out and time spent in bathroom is about 5-10 mins. I also have a bidet so that adds some time. Also, at this point, about 4-5 trips a day, including one at night/early morning, usually coincides with cats waking me up anyway. Also, I did have some nausea and vomiting in the hospital, not a lot. Went in on a Monday and was discharged on Thursday. Good luck!
A friend that works with my husband did have more pain than I did. Mine was done laprascopically, so that makes a difference.
Thank you CTB23. My first surgery was done laparoscopically but this one the surgeon said they will cut around the stoma and reconnect my intestine. Ill have a small incision, hoping it doesn't hurt too much! And pray my bowels wake up as fast as yours did, my first time took about 3 days.
Hello, Goofeegutz.
My innards woke up in two days. Expect gas pain as the gas moves around inside you. Much like your first surgery. Walk the halls as often as you can, as soon as you are able. I walked day and night, especially at night when I couldn't sleep and the halls were quiet. Walking will help wake up the bowel and when you are able to pass gas they will give you something to eat, not until then. I was not allowed fluids or food until gas was passed, not even ice chips; IV fluids only.
If you feel nauseous tell your nursing team and ask them for anti nausea medication (through your IV). They will do anything to stop you vomiting. The first stool you pass will probably be green bile. A lot. Don't be shocked at this. As you begin to eat soft food in hospital your stool will change. I asked for an egg salad sandwich on white bread for the protein and easily digested. It tasted wonderful because I was starving. IV pain management was stopped on my third day. Home on fifth day because of adhesion complications. I took Tylenol extra strength even though I was sent home with morphine Diluadid. Bathroom up to six times a day the first week at home. At home try to eat soft, easily digestible foods that will be gentle on your new-born j pouch. Keep a bottle of water in every room so you remember to drink. Take naps if you can. Your body has been through a lot. Eat lots of protein food to help your tissues heal. Stock up on barrier cream and a bidet, whether a plastic one or an attachment on the toilet, and use Every Time you go. These two items will save your life from bum burn. Good luck to you!
Thank you for the responses, will take all you said and apply!
I felt great the day after, but began to feel off that evening. That.night woke feeling nauseous and threw up before they got some meds in me. That was miserable. Took a few days to bounce back, but went home day 4 and pain was manageable with OTC meds.
I went down for my surgery around 7/8 am on the morning and had my first bm at 11pm on that same night, after my first bm I was going around every 3 hours after that, I was in the bathroom for like 5 minutes its nothing like having ulcerative colitis I had no urgency to go .
The incision site didn't really hurt after the operation but I did have some gas pains but once I learned how to pass gas then I was in no pain what so ever, I stopped taking pain killers 3 days after the operation.
Good luck for your operation man !
Just wanna add DEPENDING on how severe ur uc was the longer u should wait to get ur final surgery (take down)... Dont just get the surgery because thatS the earlyest u can.....TRUST ME FROM A HELL OF AN EXPERIENCE. Godbless and goodluck young lady
Takedown was very easy for me, much easier than Step 1! In my case I had to ensure I told the doctor that I am prone to vomiting after surgery and they did well to manage that, but I'd be proactive when you talk to the anesthetist before surgery. Also, I asked them to keep in my nose-tube (NG tube) because I had a prior surgery where they took it out prematurely and it's my least favorite thing ever (!) to have it put back in after I had issues and when I was awake! To me, having the NG tube in as a vomit safety precaution is well worth it for a day. I honestly never needed pain meds. The incision was nothing more than sore, and I could handle it pretty easily. You're going to be so excited to pass gas or -- poop in the bed! (I thought it was great, but the nurses couldn't understand my excitement!) Take it slow and best wishes!
Surgery went well. First day was a little rough but each day got better. Bowels woke up the second night. Thanks for the gas warnings that's prob the worst of the pain. Incisision site is not too bad didn't ask for any pain meds. Waiting to be discharged now Day 4. Afraid to pass gas in bed cause stuff will come out! Lol any tips??
It happens, leakage definitely. Depends might help in the beginning. Only needed for a short time.
Glad you're doing well!
Many of us never get comfortable passing gas off the toilet. Others describe acrobatic maneuvers that enable them to pass just gas. Still others wonder what the fuss is about.
I mostly avoid it.
Goofeegutz posted:Surgery went well. First day was a little rough but each day got better. Bowels woke up the second night. Thanks for the gas warnings that's prob the worst of the pain. Incisision site is not too bad didn't ask for any pain meds. Waiting to be discharged now Day 4. Afraid to pass gas in bed cause stuff will come out! Lol any tips??
Good news! So what did you do to help get your bowel working again?
Ditto on the Depends or a pad temporarily. Sleep on a towel or one of those disposable pad/sheets....forgot what they're called. Gives you peace of mind so you may sleep better.
Glad you are doing well!
@JordySimo all I did was walk the halls a few times throughout the day. It helped a lot with the gas bubbles too because I kept burping all day! Thanks I did get some heavy duty pads to wear at night just in case of leakage or accident. I'm just started to experience the "butt burn" ouch! I have a handheld bidet need to get better practice with it and using calmoseptine cream.
Goofeegutz posted:@JordySimo all I did was walk the halls a few times throughout the day. It helped a lot with the gas bubbles too because I kept burping all day! Thanks I did get some heavy duty pads to wear at night just in case of leakage or accident. I'm just started to experience the "butt burn" ouch! I have a handheld bidet need to get better practice with it and using calmoseptine cream.
Yeah that's what I did after my first op just walk a bit but luckily my bowels didn't go into shock after my second operation (somehow). So no nausea or anything?
@JordySimo the first day I did throw up when I sat up for the first time, maybe from the anesthesia. I did have nausea they gave me some zofran. After my bowels woke up the next night and while I was doing my business I threw up again, some bile. Think it was maybe mixture of all the gas and leftover bile. After that I was better.
