Hi there, I had severe pain after my 5 hour colon resection but nothing like that for my takedown (1 hour). I wasn't as groggy from the anesthesia either, I remember the recovery room, two male orderlies who took me to my room on the patient elevator, getting settled into my bed and new room, etc. I remember NONE of this with my first surgery (the one from he**, I was pretty much out of it for 48 hours and needed 2 blood transfusions).
I learned valuable lessons after my first surgery. When a nurse tells you it's time to sit up, swing your feet to the side of the bed, walk a few steps to the recliner, make yourself do all these things. In fact I began walking right away and asked when I could start, nurses were a bit surprised but then realized - ah, this isn't your first surgery, of course they knew this but had to be reminded. I decided to remain in my hospital bed for only overnight sleeping times and a nap or two during the day. I tried to sit upright in that recliner for meals and watching TV but also walked in stages - 4 to 6 or more times a day. I kept track of all this on a pad of paper and did the hourly breathing exercises too. There's a benefit to being this proactive, the nurses leave you alone! Which is rather nice. I also told only a handful of people I was having the takedown (the rest thought it wouldn't be for another month). That way I "snuck into the hospital", as one nurse put it, saying - "wise lady, you wouldn't believe how many visitors we have shooo out of a patient's room because they need their rest." I didn't want visitors - I just wanted to get back to normal as soon as possible.
That said, I did have some pain with the takedown but not nearly the ever present pain after my first surgery. The pain was intermittent and when it did hit, I had to remind myself, silly girl, you did have surgery and one nurse laughed and said - girl, you do have stitches you know.....but my takedown truly wasn't bad at all.
I am now left with multiple bm's per day, but that's MY situation (rather unique, lower colon was removed due to cancer and in hindsight probably should have had a perm. ostomy of sorts). But don't let that worry you. I've been told I'm in a small percentage of post ostomy folks who have multiple bm's.
Good luck. Sorry if I wrote you a book. Always like to share with others what my experience was like. Remember - walk, walk, walk. That's great advice.
Post Edited (Marsky) : 3/7/2013 8:49:37 PM (GMT-7)