Coping With Colon Resection

It has been 9 days since my sigmoid colon section operation was done laparoscpoically by a fine surgeon I have to say I feel much better than I ever thought I would after this surgery. I was extremely nervous after reading some of the comments others have written. I had been struggling with diverticulitis for six years with this year being the absolute worst.

I was on Flagyl & Cipro 5 times in 5 months. My doctor told me enough was enough and it was time for the surgery. It was important for me to try to have it done laparoscopically because of the reduced recovery time and frankly who wants that scar if you can avoid it? I suggest finding a ColoRectal surgeon and a great hospital.

I feel blessed to have found both. I wasn’t looking forward to the doing the “prep” again. His nurse suggested I try the “MoviPrep”. Which is a liquid you drink every 15 minutes. It was easier to handle than the “Fleet 3 Prep” I had to do for my barium enema 2 months ago. I doesn’t seem to give you those dramactic spasm pains that some of the others bring on. I also ate a low fiber/low residue diet for a couple of days leading up to the prep day.

I was a nervous wreck the morning of the surgery and my doctor knew it. I told him I made the mistake of watching the entire surgery on the internet and asked him if he was really going to stick the stapler up my rectum and he smiled and nodded yes. Sometimes the computer is too much information!

I woke up six hours later in recovery. I was told I was in surgery 3 1/2- 4 hours. They had to remove 12 inches instead of the 8-10″ he originally thought. But he said my sigmoid was very diseased and I definitely needed the surgery. He commended me for not waiting until an emergency arose from my condition. Which he said was only a matter of time witnessing what he removed.

He used that new glue for my incisions so no stitches or staples that have to be removed. I had one incision about 3-4 inches long and 4 other “holes”. He was nice enough to put the long incision in my ten year old c-section/tummy tuck scar. In the hospital, my back hurt more than my stomach. Those beds are horrible. I had pillows tucked everywhere. My best advise is to keep hitting that button they give you for pain. I was able to push it up to 6 times an hour and then as the days went on the doctor reduced it to 3 times.

I don’t think I used it that much but it delivered pain relief quickly so don’t be afraid to use it. Once they removed the catheter, I was anxious to get out of bed & walk about the halls hunched over like cromagnan man with my trusty IV pole as my dance partner. Believe me this will make you feel better and speed your recovery.

Take it from me the nurses notice when you walk and note it to the doctors. My surgery was on a Thursday and I left the hospital on Sunday afternoon. I started passing gas on Friday which is very exciting for everyone! I was given liquids on Saturday and had my first bowel movement after my second meal. It was very liquidy but I was thrilled to see it! So was the nurse.

They measure your urine and note your BMs for the doctor. Sunday morning the doctor told me I could leave if I could tolerate soft foods. I was brought baked fish and mashed potatoes along with sherbert and tea. I ate it and went for another walk. It came right out and I quickly buzzed the nurse to show her my masterpiece. I went home that afternoon.

On Monday, I realized that the “good” drugs from the hospital had worn off. The 2 days of Toridal & the Percocet I was sent home with were making me woozy and nausea was setting in. So in hindsight I wish I had stayed in the hospital one more day. I was missing my pain pump button. I was most uncomfortable sleeping but I really didn’t feel half as bad as I thought I would. By Wednesday evening I decided to just take Tylenol & Advil. It wasn’t enough for sleeping so I tried Advil PM the next night and that did the trick.

I had solid bowel movements starting Tuesday and went at least once and up to three times a day. Wow it was very exciting. I had these horrible fears of needing a Depends or not making it to the toilet in time for the rest of my life. None of that has happened. I am down to a couple of Advils and Advil PM for sleeping.

So just relax and take it easy for the time your doctor tells you to. In my case he told me two week recovery. I can drive tomorrow which will be ten days after surgery. I have found that most times when bad things happen after surgery it’s not the surgeons fault but the patients because they didn’t follow their post-op instructions.

I am eating small meals of low fiber/low residue. I am able to eat chicken, potatoes, toast, cereal and I limit cooked veggies (canned only). So far so good. I am so happy I finally got this surgery and look forward to eating like a “normal” person again.