Post Surgery

I agree with you on that, I had about 10 days in which to make my mind up and I flip flopped between the choices for a while, and it was also a relief when the choice was made because there was now a plan

good luck

John

Good morning Magpie29, 

good for you making a decisive decision. We have a  fantastic group of people  in this forum who will give you advice and encouragement which is heartwarming . Good luck with your surgery and keep us all updated . Best wishes Liz & OH x

Operation day +2

i woke up in my own bed this morning after being sent home from hospital late yesterday pm and went straight to bed, tried to watch a bit of the 8pm football but I couldn’t keep my eyes open. 
My partner set up the floor frame for the overnight bag and I had 3 solid episodes of between 2 and 3 hours sleeping on my back which is not my natural sleep position.

Got up this morning, I won’t say that I jumped in the shower, but I had a shower after emptying the bags & just dried the day bag as I came out. 

I got dressed and headed downstairs for breakfast, read the paper and all I have is a bit of pain from one of the incisions which I can get past using paracetamol.

Schoolboy error alert, I had shut the valve at the bottom of the bag but not clicked it shut, I looked down and I had a soaking wet elastic stocking, time for a change then !!

Writing this now it’s been 60 hours since my last bowel movement, excessive wind seems to have past thankfully but I’m pondering whether to take an over the counter solution to push things along but I’d like some advice on this from anyone who knows better or should I leave it longer for my bowel to wake up, I’m not in discomfort I’m just used to being regular.

other than that I feel fine, I’ll probably post day +3 tomorrow and then leave it until such time as the catheter is removed and I’ll let you know how that went and how I’m doing.

but if anyone can give advice on waking my bowel up, that would be appreciated thank you

John

Hey John   Glad your home and in your own bed . My OH was pretty constipated last week and I made home made lentil soup . I also cut up a fresh pineapple and he had the soup then some pineapple and it worked a treat.  Hope you manage to go to the loo without straining as it hurts like hell as I’ve had abdominal surgery in the past . Take care 

regards Liz & OH XX

Hello John (JohnyBoy) 

You are doing fine - catheter errors are to be expected - I had one for over 10 months!!  The main things to remember is changing a bag - push it in tight and straps under the pipework!!

As for your "movements" if the situation is the same in the morning give your team or CNS a ring and let them know the issues - they have seen it before and will be able to help.

Keep us posted.

Best wishes - Brian.

Hi John

My husband is just an ahead of you in the surgery route! 

He is 19 days post surgery, he didn’t move bowels until 4 days after surgery. He drank  lots of water, fresh orange juice and had lots of fresh fruit which helped it along. 
He took the laxative that the hospital prescribed aswell! 

Hope things get moving for you  

Thank you Liz

Thanks Brian

Thanks Annie

Hi JohnyBoy. I remember I left hospital with a big of stuff including laxatives which helped move things along. It’s important that you don’t strain and put pressure on your recovering abdominal muscles which take time to recover. 
Also, like you I slept on my back for the first few nights but found that there is enough tubing when using the night stand  to let you lie on your side which for me is definitely preferable. 
Sounds like you’re doing well - and doesn’t it feel good getting a shower?