Home from surgery

Finally, after 3 weeks and 1 day (22 days) in the hospital after surgery I am back home. If you missed my adventures in the hospital you can read about it at:

https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=38&m=1271016

I was allowed to go home any time after lunch. This morning I saw the surgeon and she said my outputs are still high but because it is thickening up quite a bit I should be fine. She suggested that my outputs might be high because of my stoma being quite high on my stomach. Because of this she wants to do the reversal sooner rather than later. I have an appointment with her in 3 weeks and she will give me a date at that time.

Take care,

It's only gonna get better from here : )

I followed your posts and admire your courage. Wow, the toughest part is over I suspect... I fully expect to go through all this in due course and I wish you the fastest recovery to a much happier, healthier and fuller life now. All the best!

Thanks everyone, tonight I will be going to bed in my own bed for the first time in a long time. I will have to get used to it again because it is a flat bed, unlike the hospital bed that can be adjusted many different ways.

I lost 30 lbs since surgery. I’m not too worried about it because I was over weight anyway. I am now 200 lbs.

Awesome to hear Paul! I always love coming home to sleep in my own bed but I imagine it will be so much nicer especially after a hospital stay! Happy healing to you :)

Paul, thanks for keeping us updated through all of your surgery; it helps so many of us. You've been through so much, and I hope that you keep on movin' right along to a new healthy lifestyle. Oh hey....welcome home!

Thanks everyone,

It was nice sleeping in my own bed but it will take a few nights getting use to lying flat on my back again.

Normally the reversal surgery is done about 3 months after the original surgery. My surgeon would like to move up the reversal to about 2 months instead of 3. I have an appointment with her in 3 weeks and she wants an x-ray to check on how well the pouch is healing before choosing a reversal date.

Take care,

I'm so glad that you're home! It's probably a good thing that you're getting a reversal sooner rather than later.

Thanks everyone,

Carol, for nearly the first week after surgery I was on IV only. Then I was on liquids only for 2 days. I then started solid foods. Before I left the hospital the dietician came and talked to me about my diet up until 6 weeks after surgery. He gave me a sheet with a list of foods I can and cannot eat. I am allowed most things except fresh fruits and vegetables. No skins, seeds or nuts allowed. I am to limit drinks with caffeine or sodas to 3 cups a day (they haven’t seen the size of my cup, I know, they mean 8 oz cups). No chocolate with caffeine. Bananas are allowed and most meats. He recommended I limit my beef to small portions. Vegetables are allowed if they are cook to a very soft consistency. Most canned foods and soups are allowed except corn. No corn products of any kind. White bread only and orange juice with no pulp is allowed. I am to drink 2 liters of fluid per day with 1 liter being plain water only. Fish with no bones is allowed. After 6 weeks my diet is wide open.

Take care,

There's just no place like home eh...so glad things went well, here's wishing you a speedy recovery and best wishes for all to go well in the future with your reversal as well.

:)

Would I do it over? It is too early to answer that question. I am still healing and have a second surgery to go through. This is major surgery and shouldn’t be taken lightly. My UC symptoms weren’t as bad as many I have read about and I struggled with the decision. My arthritis was starting to be a bigger problem than my UC symptoms and that helped me with my decision. The final factor in choosing surgery is what my surgeon said to me. She said that because no medications or treatments work for me that I will probably end up with surgery at some point. I figured sooner would be better than later. I can tell that my arthritis is almost gone.

Take care,

     Okay, thanks Paul.  I hope you continue to improve.  You do have a long road ahead of you.  I believe the colorectal surgeon felt that I wasn't a candidate because my UC is located in my rectum and is easier to treat than if I had it through my entire colon.  However, when in a flare, it makes me feel just miserable.  In addition, I ain't no youngster.....so, surgery, especially this sort with three parts and all, is very risky.

So happy to hear you're home! If you have any questions about ostomy care, just pop on over on the Ostomies forum, and we'll take care of ya!

Cecilia