Bowel Resection on 27th Oct. What to expect?

Hi

I had a lower anterior resection in November 2019. A nurse had me out of bed the same day. I was discharged after 4 nights. It would’ve been sooner, but my sodium levels were too low. I only had paracetamol once I was at home which was enough to deal with any discomfort. I was told that it was okay to drive once I could do an emergency stop. My dog walker let me down, so I was behind the wheel after 3 weeks. I wasn’t gung-ho though and went very locally to me. You’ll likely be given the worst case scenario e.g. not being able to lift a kettle with more than a cup of water in it. This information is cautionary and to cover all ages and levels of fitness! Good luck with your operation and recovery. Let us know how you get on once you feel like it.

Hi There!

My husband had a bowel resection just over a year ago which went OK he has learned to live with it ok and its like 2nd nature to him now having to change his bag a couple of times a day and on some days not at all but that's when he gets worried when it doesn't work. As Jools63 said they do their best to get you up and mobile again as soon as possible. I remember my husband telling me that a male nurse came into his room one morning and told him he was getting up and Jay said `he couldn't` but they managed to get him up he got to the end of his bed and just about collapsed and apparently the nurse said `that's fine, that's all we wanted to see` in that he could get up out of bed. Mobility will be a bit limited at the start, but it does get better and, may or may not do it with you, they may want to see that you can change your bag on your own. They wouldn't let Jay home until they saw he could manage his bag by himself so thought he was being smart one day he said and got up washed and dressed and changed his bag for the stoma nurse coming in and she said `great, but I need to see you physically change it` so had to do it all again. You may also feel that you `need to poo from the back as well although it all comes out in your bag. Jay still gets that from time to time, but it goes away. Everyone is different though and this may not happen to you and hospitals are different too. Good luck with it and hope it goes well. 

Vicky 

Thank you jools. Much appreciated. I’ll keep you updated

Thanks patty. Glad jay is doing well. I don’t need a stoma which is good. Sounds like jay is managing his just fine though. Thanks for the advice

Hi, I had my resection on July 13th,  I spent 7 days in hospital.  I was up the next morning after surgery and sat in a chair for and hour.  I didn’t find the   pain too bad.  You can have medication.  My tips are to chew gum for a couple of days it help gets your digestion going.  Once you have your bowel movement, I would stop with the gum,  I had trapped wind and spent a lot of time belching (better out than in,  you get over the embarrassment quickly)   They can provide a peppermint water but is like gold dust but it helps.   Try and rest when you get home,  my belching stopped after a few days of being at home, so much better.  Re introduce food slowly I made a couple of mistakes early on.  I found Scotch broth helpful and frontage frais at the beginning.  

I have return to work 2 weeks ago and am eating okay.  I have just started chemo as well.  I just take each day it comes please let people help you, it really does help.  Good luck if you need any further info please let me know.

Hello DadPool40

I went into hospital on August 9th for tumour removal and bowel resection. Tumour around 10cm from bottom so mid to low. I wasn't down for a stoma but knew there as a chance that could happen. Arrived morning of op and had a chat to surgeon, he told me because of me being young (57) lol ,he wanted to do a temporary stoma to give me the best chance , to give the resection time to heal. Had op, can't believe how they keep the pain under control , after 7 hour op I was in the chair the next day , walking around the ward the day after , little slowly I must say, they had me going up and down steps the day after that. Six days later I was home. Dealing with (bubbles)my temporary stoma very well not a problem at all if you end up having to have one. Saw my surgeon last Friday (8 weeks ) post op. All healed well he is very pleased with how it has all gone. Scans in 6 months to make sure resection is healed and no Leaks , then hopefully reversal in 12 months. Feel now I can plan holidays and get life back to normal after an intense year of radiotherapy and chemo.

Best wishes for your op , I know it is scary but I think it is worse for the people around you waiting. You just go to sleep, wake up when it is all over. 

Julie

hi DadPool40

I had a LAR keyhole and open. 
The pain afterwards was taken control by my nurses , I was up and out walking the next morning sorting out my stoma and home in five days 

The most memorable part of the experience was waking up knowing that cancer was out of me. I was so relieved that the rest was easy peasy just follow the instructions from your team , diet and exercise they’ll advice you. 
The worst part for me was knowing that thing was inside me once that was gone I felt great  

Good luck with it. 

Thank you. We'll done to you

Thanks you. Very encouraging

Hi DadPool40.

I had Anterior Resection this summer. I found the Bowel Cancer UK document called " Your operation - a guide to bowel cancer surgery" really helpful.

We may have different cancer areas, as well as respond differently to operations - but if there was one other thing i could of known beforehand, that would be to get clothes sourced that will not touch your operation area on body.

Good luck and feel free to ask any more questions.