Post Op Recovery - any advice?

Hi . If you have a look at my profile (click on my name) then you’ll see that I had a problem with an infected fluid build up after surgery and felt the same - no appetite and weak. Could you ring the ward that he was discharged from and ask them for advice? The problem with weekends is that the consultant often isn’t in and the person doing the ward rounds isn’t always a specialist in the right field. If you don’t get any joy from the ward then I would be tempted to go to A & E - I had my bloods done and my CRP marker (which is an infection marker) and should be under 10 was over 100 and I was admitted and had to have a scan and drain inserted. 
Please let us know how you get on

Take care

Karen x

Thank you K - yes - I worry with his lack of progress but the whole Mon-Fri 9-5 of the NHS is distressing - there is no answer from his ward today. He’s now sleeping. I’m worried by lack of progress (in fact he’s declined since discharge I would say) …. I’ll try his ward again and 911 if no better when he wakes. Thank you so much for reply xxx it’s a great help 

Hi Nadia,

My husband had a bowel operation back in October last year. He was only out for 2 weeks and we took him to A and E on a Saturday, unable to eat or drink, where he was admitted. ( We did ring the ward where he had been for advice) They will probably not let your husband eat until they find out what's wrong. Tell them about his lack of food and say he needs nourishing. Hopefully they will put a pic line in and feed him that way. In my husbands case he had a twisted bowel, and he had to have another operation 3 months after his first one. I think we are on the mend now!!! Good luck. xx 

Thanks - yes - if he doesn’t pick up later, I fear we are on our way to an A&E consult (have left messages on any contact number I have for ward/consultant/nurse - but they are 8-4 Monday m/Friday. 
I just wish they had given me some ‘watch outs’ - all they said was ‘normal diet and give it time’ Thank you for taking time to reply - it’s a help. Wishing you well, 

N xx 

Hi 

If you phone the ward again ask for the on all consultant to be contacted as you are concerned that he may have an unaddressed infection that needs assessed . 
There is always a consultant on call even if his on is not available and they are there for emergencies. 

If you are at all concerned phone the NHS 111 and get advice . My mum had an emergency admission and whilst it’s upsetting it’s better to get the help they need .

Take care ,

Court 

Hi Nadia,

You haven't got a number for the consultant, have you? Our consultant said to ring him direct if there were any more problems. (I think he thought it would be quicker than going by A and E.) I think you could do with some nutrition drinks if he stays at home. My husband ate very little and was very weak when he first came out of hospital. They put him on nutritional drinks (Fortisip )to   build him up again, and they have helped. I also found Covent garden soups, which are packed with calories. They are pricey, though. I was also told to get full cream milk, cream, lots of cheese and butter and eggs into him, anything that is high calorie.

Hello - thank you - No we only have his secretary’s number & office hours are Mondaybto Friday. Have got in touch with ward (finally) who said all Drs are gone for day but she’s passing message on to the 2 nurses on Duty for advice. She said not to go to A&E cos of wait times (& hubby is well enough to insist he’s not going to go anyway) …. 
I have so much respect for those of you have been/are going through this. Thank you for taking the time to reply 

Best

N 

Hi Nadia,

I'm replying because I was there last October, when everything he ate came up again!!! Its very scarey!! And although he didn't want to go in again, it was our only option. I can cope with plain feeding and nursing at home but not Major things.

I'm glad you got a reply. I found the nurses very helpful if I had to ring them. 

. I am so so sorry to read this x

Hi Nadia,

no words x