colectomy

Buckwirth
Buckwirth Member Posts: 1,258 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Anyone want to help me with what to expect?

No need to go over the ostomy portion, but I am curious about the recovery time, pain levels, time to return to work etc.

Thanks in advance!

Comments

  • Buzzard
    Buzzard Member Posts: 3,043 Member
    where is it located and whats to be done...a colectomy can
    be done laproscopically which cuts way down on recoup time because of being minimally invasive...but what and where are the resecting tissue involved and also what is being removed? I can let you know more...Post op chemo will be another factor if there is to be some done..Please if you don't mind fill me in on a few details and I will tell you all I can...Buzz
  • plh4gail
    plh4gail Member Posts: 1,238 Member
    I had about 12 inches of the
    I had about 12 inches of the colo-rectal removed. Is this similar to what you are having? If so, I can share my experience.

    Gail
  • Buckwirth
    Buckwirth Member Posts: 1,258 Member
    plh4gail said:

    I had about 12 inches of the
    I had about 12 inches of the colo-rectal removed. Is this similar to what you are having? If so, I can share my experience.

    Gail

    Colectomy
    From the anus back, probably about 6 inches, and will probably include the sphincter. It depends on what he needs for the ostomy I guess.

    I understand it will be laproscopic.
  • plh4gail
    plh4gail Member Posts: 1,238 Member
    plh4gail said:

    I had about 12 inches of the
    I had about 12 inches of the colo-rectal removed. Is this similar to what you are having? If so, I can share my experience.

    Gail

    I had my resection in
    I had my resection in October and spent 5 days in the hospital. Even though you are going to want to get out of there, don't push them to get you out sooner than you should be as this is the time for you to begin getting a feel of what you're going to deal with for recovery like your pain, eating, ostomy care. Mine was laparoscopic also and that lower incision may look small compared to the big one, but don't let it fool you. There is a lot of pain involved. I took Vicodin the first week or two and then Tylenol and that made me comfortable enough. You'll get used to using your arms and thighs to help you get up at first instead of the tummy muscle. Getting up off the bed was the hardest. I couldn't do it by myself for the first week. I couldn't roll off, couldn't roll then sit, I had to have someone push or lift my back up, then when sitting I could slide off the bed. Getting in and out of the car was a little hard too. I got tired pretty easy. When you're up to it, start walking a little, even if it's only down the street a little way and back. It helped me feel stronger. And make sure you breath effectively, no shallow breathingif it's hurting. Don't want to end up with pneumonia after you get home. Oh, and if you feel a cough or sneeze, grab a pillow or anything handy to splint the incision site's. That way it doesn't feel like you're going to burst at your new seams.

    Hope this help a little, Gail
  • coloCan
    coloCan Member Posts: 1,944 Member
    plh4gail said:

    I had my resection in
    I had my resection in October and spent 5 days in the hospital. Even though you are going to want to get out of there, don't push them to get you out sooner than you should be as this is the time for you to begin getting a feel of what you're going to deal with for recovery like your pain, eating, ostomy care. Mine was laparoscopic also and that lower incision may look small compared to the big one, but don't let it fool you. There is a lot of pain involved. I took Vicodin the first week or two and then Tylenol and that made me comfortable enough. You'll get used to using your arms and thighs to help you get up at first instead of the tummy muscle. Getting up off the bed was the hardest. I couldn't do it by myself for the first week. I couldn't roll off, couldn't roll then sit, I had to have someone push or lift my back up, then when sitting I could slide off the bed. Getting in and out of the car was a little hard too. I got tired pretty easy. When you're up to it, start walking a little, even if it's only down the street a little way and back. It helped me feel stronger. And make sure you breath effectively, no shallow breathingif it's hurting. Don't want to end up with pneumonia after you get home. Oh, and if you feel a cough or sneeze, grab a pillow or anything handy to splint the incision site's. That way it doesn't feel like you're going to burst at your new seams.

    Hope this help a little, Gail

    Ask your surgeon about chewing on gum when you wake up,
    as it might help digestive system get going again somewhat quicker......Your docs will want you walking about ASAP, even tho getting up will be painful. You will also find drainage tubes sticking out of you when you awaken so don't pull at anything......Recovery time, degree of pain, etc varies by person. I spent 8 days in hosp due to problem caused when I got out of bed on my own and collapsed due to lack of strength. You should be given a plastic spirometer to blow into--use it often.... Best of results in your op and recovery.....For what its worth, 15 1/2 months since colostomy and I'm almost as I was.........steve
  • John23
    John23 Member Posts: 2,122 Member
    Buckwirth said:

    Colectomy
    From the anus back, probably about 6 inches, and will probably include the sphincter. It depends on what he needs for the ostomy I guess.

    I understand it will be laproscopic.

    Bucky -
    Re:
    "and will probably include the sphincter"

    You would want to insist the sphincter stays; it will provide you
    with a much better quality of life afterward.

    Go to the UOAA website and read/ask some questions.
    There's a fella' from the UK (Terry), that's very informed and can give you some serious insight.

    (UOAA sphincter - sample thread)

    Best wishes,

    John
  • pete43lost_at_sea
    pete43lost_at_sea Member Posts: 3,900 Member
    ignorance is bliss sort of
    I had an ultra low anter resection. the big cut from basically between the nipples down to
    just above the important bit.

    15 days no food. lost 12 kilograms during my stay.
    lots of amazing green vomits, one all over wife.
    horendous ng tubes
    and the morphine gives wicked dreams.
    getting the ng tube inserted while awake for a second time was soooo much fun. I hope it does not happen to you.

    glad I had the op and my cancer is in a buck somewhere.

    feel good now 3 months post op almost. picked up my 5 year old son tonight for the first time
    as he was crying. Probably should not have, but also carried some water melons into the house for xmas. So I am pushing the envelope.
    I hate the bag and leaks and diarrhea. ( not refering to my wife )

    I did heaps of walking and breathing exercises and watch heaps of movies.

    Just pray your surgery goes well and that you are spared serious side effects.
    I have heard about seriously horrendous post problems that helped me cope with my minor issues with a smile between vomits.

    goodluck Pete
  • pepebcn
    pepebcn Member Posts: 6,331 Member
    coloCan said:

    Ask your surgeon about chewing on gum when you wake up,
    as it might help digestive system get going again somewhat quicker......Your docs will want you walking about ASAP, even tho getting up will be painful. You will also find drainage tubes sticking out of you when you awaken so don't pull at anything......Recovery time, degree of pain, etc varies by person. I spent 8 days in hosp due to problem caused when I got out of bed on my own and collapsed due to lack of strength. You should be given a plastic spirometer to blow into--use it often.... Best of results in your op and recovery.....For what its worth, 15 1/2 months since colostomy and I'm almost as I was.........steve

    I can't tell you as my colectomy was done together with my liver
    resection so surgery and recovery was much harder than just a simple colostomy.