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Hi,

 Reply posted for spjawalsh.

Surgery and recovery is different for everyone.  If they can do it laproscopically, great.  You're recovery will be much faster.  But even if it has to be done open, its only a few weeks out of work.  I've had both a colostomy and an ileostomy.  In both instances, the biggest pain is from gas.  So you have to walk as much as you can to get things moving.  For me, it took longer to get things going after my colostomy surgery than my ileostomy.  I was eating soft foods in just a few days and out of the hospital in 5 both times.  My surgeon started my ileostomy laproscopically, but after an hour an a half making no progess, he had to open me up.  I wasn't surprised though to wake up to a 19 cm incision.  He warned me well in advance that it could end up that way.  Still though, I'm glad to have it done.

 Reply posted for spjawalsh.

I also forgot to tell you that you can eat soon after the surgery.  I think within a couple of days.  As soon as your bowel wakes up and your stoma produces output they will put you on a liquid, then solid low residue diet.  I was able to eat almost anything with my stoma.  I loved that thing!  The end ileostomy that is...the loop is evil.  It runs like a faucet.  If you have one of those, then you will probably have to take imodium to control it.  Also, change your bag in the morning...it will save your sanity!

Take Care...Susan

 Reply posted for spjawalsh.

Hi!  I hope that this note finds you well...or at least as well as you can get when you are battling this stuff!

I had three part j-pouch surgery and I know how you feel about it.  I was scared too, but you have to realize that you will be well once you are done.  The hospital stay is about 3-5 days including the day of surgery.  They will have you prep like you would for a colonoscopy.  You know, good ole fleet.  And then a liquid diet the day before.  You will have nothing after midnight the night before.

Make sure the ostomy nurse places your stoma in a comfortable spot.  You will be living with it for at least 3 months, so don't be afraid to speak up.  And I would look into having a home care nurse after the surgery.  They will look in on you once or twice a week for the first month.  They will also help you find the right ostomy appliance for you.  Your stoma will change size and shape over those first 4 weeks and you really need someone there to help you.  They are an amazing resource.  The hospital can set that up for you.

Also, if it is j-pouch surgery you are going for...check out jpouch.org.  It's a wonderful resource!  Everyone is so nice and there is a forum there to answer all your questions!

Good luck to you!  I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers!  Susan

 Reply posted for spjawalsh.

The answers to your questions all depend on exaclty what kind of surgery you are going to have.

I had an emergency ileostomy and was in the hospital for eleven days until my ilesotomy started working/flowing.   I was up and walking on day one after the surgery.   This will improve your recovery.  Chew gum as soon as you are out of recovery (seriously...there's a lot of study that chewing gum fakes the system out, making your body think it's getting ready to be fed, and enzymes start flowing...speeding up your recovery time).   I was at home for one week resting and light walking, then back to work.  

Then, six months later, I had the reversal surgery to reconnect my small intestine and colon.  I was told that I would be in the hospital for two weeks.   I was out in eight days (as soon as my bowels started to function).   Again, I was walking on day one, and chewing gum like a fool.  Due to all the cutting of scar tissue in my second surgery, I was in more pain than after the first surgery.  But still, I was home resting for a week and the the weekend, and then back to the office.

I hope you have a quick recovery and little pain. Chew gum...

 Reply posted for penwestern.

Thanks for the information.  It is still scary but I am looking at the long term.  Hopefully this will be the answer.

 Reply posted for spjawalsh.

Hello,

I had a laprascopic ileocecectomy with 12 inches of severely inflamed small bowel removed.  There was no complication and no infection.

The Dr. had me take movie prep the day before.  It is stronger than the prep for colonoscopy.  You will probably take antibiotics and two enemas.

The surgery for me was a breeze.  I was walking the next day.  The only thing that hurt was the two IV's and when I would get up.  They gave me a pain pump for two days and then just tylenol thereafter.

The first few days you will be on liquid and then surgical soft diet.   I stayed on low fiber for a week more and now I am back to normal. I feel normal in all ways and better than ever since diagnosed.

I was in the hosptial for six days and had two blood transfusions.  I am 54 and the older the longer it takes to bounce back.

I bounced back quickly.  When I came home was able to do everything but lift over 10 lbs and drive for a bit.  I live alone and needed no help.  I could do everything I needed to do.  I was off work a little less than four weeks total for an office job.

I am thankful for the surgeon's skills.  Scars are small.  I feel great.  I will be on Imuran and Remicade to keep new inflammation away.  All is clear now.

I hope never to see or hear the word PREDNISONE ever again.

Good Luck!  I hope all goes well and you have very little pain and a very long remission.