My roommate brought along a pair of soft, loose, comfy pajama bottoms to the hospital. She put them on for her walks up and down the hall. I brought my Birkenstock sandals, much easier to walk around in than the socks the hospital issues

At home, my husband took care of preparing meals for the first week or so. He kept things simple, and I was very careful to follow the food guide given to me in the hospital, and to introduce new foods very slowly, and in very small portions, to get my body used to them.

Things went pretty well, actually.

Best wishes to you!

Posted by: @uctoostomy

I am finally having my last ~20cm of colon/rectum removed and getting sewn up.  This will be happening on Aug 23

Good luck!

If you are getting sewn up, your recovery should be pretty smooth. 

Don't overdo things in the first few weeks, since your wound will need some time to close. 

You're on the path to a healthy 2023 =)

Posted by: @uctoostomy

Hello everyone!  I am finally having my last ~20cm of colon/rectum removed and getting sewn up.  This will be happening on Aug 23.  Just looking for anyone who can share their experience with how this procedure went and how their recovery went.  I have 3 months booked off work as of now.  Thanks in advance.

 

Hi uctoostomy,

If you are able to begin walking daily now, do anything you can to make you as strong (health wise) as possible before surgery.

I recently had rectum /  colon removed / sewn up and permanent ostomy. my surgery was robotic with small incisions. 

Everyone's situation will be unique to them but my experience is outlined below.

Other than having cancer I was healthy going into surgery ( my ulcerative colitis was not active ) and I think that made a difference.

I followed my doctors instructions to a tee.

I took minimal medication for pain in hospital, my pain was not bad sort of like I had just done a hard set of stomach crunches.

I was in hospital 4 days total and I lost around 6 pounds in hospital and I have lost another 6 - 8 pounds since then. 

I was not used to eating as much (or as well )as I need to and I now keep close track of my food, water intake and weight and adjust things as needed.

I use cronometer app on my phone to track my food, liquids and daily activity. (I think VO reviewed this product or spoke of it in his blog regarding diet / nutrition)

Begin walking in hospital as soon as you can, for me it was the next morning after surgery.

I walked in the socks they give you in hospital and walked 3 times a day including in the night since they wake you for vital signs check any how.  

I had a catheter and drain in and did not take any of my clothing and considering the drain leaked all the time I am glad I did not. 

Catheter came out second day I think and the drain stayed until late day 3 or early day 4.

I showered day 4 morning before being discharged.

I walked in the socks they give you in hospital.

The thing I was most careful about was the incision in my rear, I did not sit directly on the area for 3+ weeks.  I am still very aware of and being careful not to do anything too jarring.

Sitting funny for three weeks caused a muscle ache in my back that I have yet to get rid of completely.  I think part of the issues is that my stomach / core muscles are in sad shape from surgery and I have yet to get them back.

The first week after I got home I walked at least once a day some days twice, first few days it was not very far.

By the second week I was walking a mile by third I was walking 2 miles.

At the week 3 check up I was released to do all normal activities which for me was training and throwing track and field implements and light to medium weight lifting - no heavy lifting though.  

I would say I felt pretty much good to go by the 3rd week check up and I was anxious to get training for an upcoming completion.   

At three I felt pretty good, still got tired some days and still do at about 8 weeks post surgery but that can be from low iron which I have had issues with off and on all my adult life.

I bought and Ostomy Armor belt to wear during training and I feel much better wearing it when I train and throw.

Around the 4th week I competed in Javelin and Shotput and had no issues, I wore my Ostomy Armor belt.

Around week 6 I started to add jogging to my walks, run  a minute walk for a bit then run again off and on best I can. (I do not enjoy jogging but my kid is a runner so I go out with her)   

I think it will take a long time to rebuild my stomach muscles which for me is important because they help prevent lower back pain.  I am considering going to a trainer so that I get it right and do not hurt myself.

I am still working on getting my diet down pat and I am not sure if I am getting all the nutrition I need.

I asked for and got an inflatable mattress cushion in the hospital and brought that and an inflatable waffle seat cushion home. Both made a big difference in my comfort.  I suggest asking about them.

My hospital has a social help person who helps patients with any logistics or anything the doctors and nurses can't help with or do not have time for. 

Mine helped me arrange the taxi that took me on the first leg of my trip home and made sure the doctors submitted the paper work to get me discharged by 0930 to facilitate my multi leg trip home.  These people are great resources.

Wish you the best.

cygo

Surgery was a success and I am home resting now. Thank you everyone for your support. I have a question about the exit wound so to speak. I am sewn up but I think the site is infected. Its an uncovered wound. My underwear has discharge that smells like death and during cleaning with soap and gauze, there is some yellowish stuff that also smells of death.

No change in pain really and it a small amount. My question is whether anyone uses polysporin on the wound to help it heal??  Suture/staples removed upcoming Tuesday with family doctor. Will seek his advice too.  I really would like to use a basic antibiotic ointment to protect and heal.

@uctoostomy glad the surgery went well. I wouldn’t advise putting anything on the wound until you’ve checked with a medical professional. If the wound is truly infected, you really need medical advice. Good luck.

Laurie