Surgery 30 days away

Don't forget to take your colon. Good luck!

Be ready to second guess yourself 500 times between now and then. A lot of times your colon seems to know it's days are up and behaves!
As for what to take be sure to take some gas-x. You can have the Dr order it, but sometimes it takes them a while and it's easier to just have it. The gas is the worst part.
Be prepared that your output will be swamp green and smell like death at first. That will not last! Also you will have a clear bag, that can be kind of gross to look at but as soon as you get home you can use the other kind.
Good luck!

Is am doing the same. 60 days though. I am excited too but nervous and probably already second guessed myself 3 of the 500 times.

I'm going for step-2 of a 3-step next week. Then hopefully the 3rd step in June. I can't wait. Adjusting to a bag wasn't too bad for me, I've been so sick for so long that I really didn't even care at that point. I'm enjoying eating real food again and not feeling sick all the time from UC, I'm shocked about how much more energy I have now that I don't have a diseased colon and taking strong medications.

To your question about what to bring: It really depends on the hospital, I asked to tour the floor that I'd be staying on so I knew what I wanted to bring with me. The floor that I stayed on was newly renovated and all were private rooms so it was very comfortable. What I am bringing with me next week is PJs/sweatpants because those hospital gowns are drafty. Comfortable socks and slippers. A cellphone, laptop and a pen and notepad so I can write down questions for the surgeon while I think of them during the day.

I'm planning on watching Season 2 of House of Cards while I am in the hospital.

The best of luck to you.

Pluot said...
ks! I can't believe it's time for step 2 already!!! Good luck! I would say to say hi to the ward nurses for me but that's probably weird, hahaha

It's actually been over 4 months, I'm looking forward to feeling well this summer and being able to enjoy the outdoors again; especially after this long cold winter.

I have the ward nurse's business card somewhere, she said to let her know when I am going in for my second surgery...guess I should do that since it is next week. She was very nice to me while I was there but so was her whole staff.

How can anything be weird on an IBD forum?

+1 to all of the good advice above...

Slip on shoes are nice for walking laps, which you WILL be doing a lot of. I couldn't tell if you're having your first surgery or your takedown... if it's takedown, bring butt cream (Calmoseptine or A&D) and your own stash of SOFT toilet paper. If you'll have an ostomy after this surgery, I recommend bring a box of wet wipes... much easier to clean out the "tail" of the ostomy bag with wet wipes than with TP or paper towels.

Bring comfy/soft sweatpants with a loose waistband for going home. Your belly will be quite sensitive and distended. I would also bring a small pillow to tuck between your stomach and the lap band of the seatbelt when you go home.

Best of luck to you!

ByeByeUC said...
It's a very trying process and you may feel down at times and question what the heck you got yourself into. BUT, the end result is worth every minute of it all. Being rid of UC (and the drugs) is amazing. I love my j pouch.

ByeByeUC,

I'm only about half way through the J-pouch process but I totally agree with your statement about a trying process but the end result will be worth it. I'm going in on Wednesday for Step-2 of 3 and I have to re-read this after I get out of surgery to remind myself that it is worth it. I never seconded guessed myself for step-1 but I'm kind of second guessing myself right now because I feel so good and I'm sort of happy with my ilostomy; I know that step-2 is the most difficult step.

I'm packing for the hospital tomorrow. Because of this tread I will bring gas-x and a small pillow for the seat-belt for the ride home. Any other suggestions?

ks1905 said...

ByeByeUC said...
It's a very trying process and you may feel down at times and question what the heck you got yourself into. BUT, the end result is worth every minute of it all. Being rid of UC (and the drugs) is amazing. I love my j pouch.

ByeByeUC,

I'm only about half way through the J-pouch process but I totally agree with your statement about a trying process but the end result will be worth it. I'm going in on Wednesday for Step-2 of 3 and I have to re-read this after I get out of surgery to remind myself that it is worth it. I never seconded guessed myself for step-1 but I'm kind of second guessing myself right now because I feel so good and I'm sort of happy with my ilostomy; I know that step-2 is the most difficult step.

I'm packing for the hospital tomorrow. Because of this tread I will bring gas-x and a small pillow for the seat-belt for the ride home. Any other suggestions?

remember to bring all your toiletries...don't forget lip balm. I had my cell phone and charger. Laptop or tablet if you want. A robe for when they make you walk the hallway. I didn't bother with slippers because they have those grippy slipper socks so I just wore those. Bring a comfy pair of sweatpants and comfy top to go home in.

Best of luck....looking forward to your update after. And yes this is the toughest part but you'll do great! :)

I don't mind sharing :) It's Fabrizio Michelassi. He built me an AWESOME pouch with no surgical complications and I hope ks's experience with the next two surgeries are the same!

I agree about Mt Sinai. I did a consult there and while I liked the surgeon very much (he was actually more personable than Michelassi IMO), Cornell's GI ward is just unparalleled. The nurses are amazing, especially the WOCNs, and the facilities are really nice and super clean. Recently several IBD GIs from Mt Sinai have moved over to Cornell, too... it seems a bit like the mantle might be shifting as far as what is the 'best' hospital for IBD in NYC.

Pluot said...
I don't mind sharing :) It's Fabrizio Michelassi. He built me an AWESOME pouch with no surgical complications and I hope ks's experience with the next two surgeries are the same!

I agree about Mt Sinai. I did a consult there and while I liked the surgeon very much (he was actually more personable than Michelassi IMO), Cornell's GI ward is just unparalleled. The nurses are amazing, especially the WOCNs, and the facilities are really nice and super clean. Recently several IBD GIs from Mt Sinai have moved over to Cornell, too... it seems a bit like the mantle might be shifting as far as what is the 'best' hospital for IBD in NYC.

NYP Cornell's GI ward is super comfortable, it's just a really nice atmosphere were as Mt Sinai seemed very institutional to me. I agree with everything that Pluot said above.

One of the GI's that moved over from Mount Sinai was the GI that I used (Steinlauf) for 8 years, that's how I ended up at NYP Cornell. I'm happy that I ended up there. Also the nice thing about NYP Cornell is that the GI's and Surgeons take many insurance plans, at Mt Sinai many of them did not accept insurance when I was going to Mount Sinai.

If anyone in the North East needs a j-pouch you can't go wrong considering Dr Michelassi and NYP Cornell.

ByeByeUC said...
I had my Cyclosproine treatment at Mt. Sinai and I met with one of the surgeons there....Dr. Bauer. While I liked him (I heard he's one of the best) I hated the hospital and I thought the nurses on the GI floor were awful. I was there for 7 days. Worst experience of my life.

Ouch that's saying a lot "worst experience of my life", I was at Mt Sinai twice for Cyclosporine for 21 and 23 days. Not fun experiences but I've probably had worse like being stranded in airports overnight with no hotel rooms available.