I've been thisclose to surgery before and each time, a great med worked magic and I avoided it. Sadly, Cimzia didn't hold up it's end of the bargain and I am left without a choice. Once I finally resolved myself to the surgery, I was ready right then to do it. I finally saw the surgeon yesterday and they are getting me in on Wednesday!

He is confident it can be done laparoscopically. Says to plan a week in the hospital and about 3 weeks at home following. I'm franctically trying to get an entire month's worth of work covered but so far, things are falling into place.

What kind of diet did you eat following your surgery? They are removing part of the terminal ileum and possibly some additional parts in order to get rid of fistulas. We have people wanting to bring over food as soon as I'm home, and I think that'd be helpful to have on hand, so I just wonder what kind of food issues I may have so I can tell them. My DH will also want to stock the fridge with some things I can easily eat while he's at work. 

Once home, were you able to lay on the couch? Sit in a chair? What was comfortable for you? How long before you could drive?

What was your pain level like in the hospital? What kinds of things did you bring with you to the hospital?

Sorry for all the questions - thanks for any additional info you can give.

All 3 of my resections have been from 4cm to 14 cm. of terminal ileum, plus the ileocecal valve and the cecum. The cecum seems to be a transition from ileum to colon. Since I was instructed to have only clear liquids 3 days before, I didn't need an NG tube last time. What a relief to wake up without that thing in my nose. But if you have to have one, it won't last long. My pain was controlled very well in the hospital and I didn't need prescr. pain meds when I went home 5 days later. I had the full vertical abdominal incision, so if you have a laparoscopy, you'll have even less pain. The incision is tender for awhile, but mine never felt true pain. The hardest part is that you begin to feel better and soon discover that you are exhausted all the time. You will nap alot and that is good because your body is healing. I was always told to re-introduce solid food slowly. For me, organic chicken broth with crackers, then I would try oatmeal and toast the first day at home. From that point on, your body will tell you what you can handle next. I could do all the things I normally did at home, except vacum. The doc told me not to lift anything heavier than my spoon. He was pretty funny. You can lay in bed but that gets boring. You can lay wherever you are comfy.

I was allowed to get out of bed in the hosp. only for bathroom visits, and since the pain meds made me loopy, that was fine. I slept most of the first two days. It's not a good time for visitors unless they like talking to themselves. I wish you the best. You are going to feel like a new person right away and strong in a few weeks!

Oh, forgot to tell you good luck and I hope everything goes well! Let us know how you're doing when you can!

I wrote all about my surgery last fall here: https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=17&m=1601270 . about 18 posts down, I gave the rundown all the way from prep to going home. After that I answered some more questions people had (like what I brought to the hospital), and even included a pretty picture of my surgeon's handiwork.

Good luck! I think you'll be happy with the way you feel once that dang stricture is gone.

*activated your link*

Post Edited By Moderator (Nanners) : 1/30/2010 7:43:35 AM (GMT-7)

If you have a catheter, they'll probably put it in once you're put to sleep and it will be taken out in the recovery room.

I think a catheter is standard. They put mine in when I was knocked out, and then pulled it the next morning.

I have had two open resections. I won't lie mine hurt alot when I woke up (pain is very individual), but they give you good pain meds. My suggestion about pain meds is to ask the anesthesiologist for a pain pump for after surgery. This way you are able to administer your own pain meds as needed instead of having to wait for the nurse to bring it. Don't worry you won't o.d., you can only give yourself so much medicine every so often. Also, walk walk and walk as much as possible. Also, in the hospital I used the mens pj pants when I walked so my backside wasn't shown to the world:)  I do hope you are able to have it laproscopically, but sometimes when they get in there they do have switch to open because things are messier than they expected. Thats what happened to me with my first surgery, I am not telling you this to scare you, I just want you to be prepared for the possibility. Also, bring your own pillow, the ones in the hospital suck.

As for diet, keep things light and soft for a bit. I ate things at home like baked chicken, rice, mashed potatos, oatmeal. Things that are easy to chew, and easy to digest. Within a short time you will be able to start different foods. But I ate light for the first few weeks. Just remember when you start adding new foods to do it slowly so you can see how you manage.

And most important of all, make sure you get on some maintainence meds afterwards, so you don't have a repeat. I had a doc (now fired) tell me after my first resection, oh you don't needs meds now. Well I ended up with a repeat surgery only 3 years later. So do take maintainence meds to help you maintain remission. I am maintained now with only Asacol. I wish you the best and I hope this surgery brings you to a well deserved and long remission. Big hugs and good luck!

Gail*Nanners*

Hi Aimee= so u r having your first surgery on Wednesday u sound more prepared than most people well I had 17 surgeries now but I'm no expert but getting people 2 drop of food is a great idea but try avoiding anything rough on your body stick 2 a soft diet such as soup and sandwiches and suppers like mac and cheese ask your dietician for a diet plan for a soft diet till your bowel begins working properly again.Don't do any lifting when u go home just relax and yes u will be able 2 lay on the couch or sit in a chair however 4 my I did a lot of lying down till I got on my feet and got my strength back.Driving is always 6 weeks I am not sure how long it is for u ask your doc.After surgery there is going 2 b pain but they usually put u on a pain pump that is just where the IV goes in and the pain meds r on a schedule so u don't OD all u have 2 do is press a button and u get your dose instead of waiting 4 a nurse 2 help u...I hope this info helps u a little bite keep us posted on your recovery and best of luck 2 u on Wednesday...Ask 4 something 4 your nerves if your nervous before u go down 2 the OR...Jenn