Post Surgery Questions

I only had the colectomy, not the pouch, so my exerience may not apply as directly.  I tried to go for a walk the day I got back from the hospital and only made it a few hundred yards.  I was pretty much able to take care of myself immediately, but getting in and out of bed was a bit of trouble because of the surgery scars and swelling.  There is a youtube video about how to use a sheet to help you get out of bed if you are going to be on your own.  I have pretty much exlusively become a back sleeper since the surgery.  Prior to surgery, I would switch positions through the night, but now the only really comfortable on is on the back.  It has not been a difficult transition.

Do ask you doctor about taking cimetadine after surgery, and also maybe ask about melationin.  Both give you a survival advantage and the melatonin could help with some much needed sleep.

Best of luck in your surgery.  Let us know how you do.

I had considerably more surgery than you are expecting so some of what I did may not apply.  I had help with meals for a while, partly so make sure I ate and partly because my mother wanted to help out.  For the first week or 2 I slept in a recliner in the bedroom.  Like you never a back sleeper, so this helped not only with keeping me off surgical wounds but also with getting up on my own.  I too was worried about sleep positions with a stoma.  Turned out after all was healed, it is not a problem.  I am sometimes a wrestless sleeper and change sleep position many times a night.  Does not impact stoma at all.  I would advise you to have an empty or near empty bag before sleep just to make sure however you sleep there is no added stress on the seal.  

I was also told to eat lots of protien to help with the healing process.  I also used Boost with extra protien...on bottle a day...just to add to small meals.

You should do fine after recovery period prescribed by your surgeon.

Wishing you the best,

Marie who loves kitties

Good luck to you with your recovery. Just a quick note on ostomy supplies. I tried many and really like Coloplast sensura mio brand disposable bags. For me, draining the bags in the bathroom was a hassle, and kind of disgusting. Disposable feels cleaner to me. I also purchase special odorless bags to dispose of them. This was such a huge concern for me prior to surgery, but it truly has been somuch easier than needing to run to the bathroom every 30 minutes.

The ostomy question is one you should be concerned about.  Make sure that an ostomy nurse marks your spot before surgery.  The surgeon generally has not a good clue as where to place it.  Mine was marked on both sides because they didn't know before doing surgery if it was going to be permanent or temporary.  Also, as far as supplies the hospital tells you what they recommend because they supply them but my recommendation didn't work out.  You can request supplies from every manufacturer and they will gladly send you free samples.  Do it because it's worth the change if necessary.  Also, make sure your home nurse helps you with all this.  They should provide a good 6 weeks of service included with your surgery.  Wishing you the best of luck and let us know how you are doing.

Kim

I had laparoscopic APR surgery in October. The surgery was done on a Tuesday and I was discharged Saturday morning. They had me up walking  the day after surgery.  The WOC nurse taught me how to  take care of the stoma (which I named Stella) and how to change the pouch. She also gave me a  supply of pouches, educational material, a catalog for ordering samples and supplies, info on support groups, etc. I was discharged with my abdominal drain tube still in place.  I think  they are sometimes removed before discharge but mine stayed in until my fist post-op appointment  with the surgeon. The drain made showering a ittle complicated, but other than that, I don't remember it being a problem. Once home, I was pretty much able to  function  normally- or new normally.   I did have  a very sore behind, couldn't sit for very long at a time, tired easily and took naps as needed.  I came home with a prescription for Norco 5/325 to be taken every four hours as needed, and took 13 tablets, so I'm thinking the pain must have eased up quite a bit after a few days.

I don't remember sleeping being a problem- I have scoliosis and find sleeping on my side very uncomfortable so i slept on my back, propped  up at an angle as I normally do.   I was able to position pillows  to avoid  putting any sress on my perineal wound.

I tried several different pouching systems before settling on the one-piece Coloplast Sensura Mio drainable pouch.   I don't mind draining it and don't get grossed out easily, thank goodness. As someone mentioned,  manufacturers and suppliers are very good about sending samples so you'll get an opportunity to see what works best for you and your body- one piece, two-piece, closed end, drainable, convex, etc.

I hope your surgery goes well and that you recover quickly and easily.   Let us know  how everything goes.

Grace/lizard44

SonicSedition said:

Marked and ready

Hey Kim. It is already marked and was done by a 15 yr WOC nurse. Actually she marked 2. One about equal with my belly button and the other about 2 inches directly above. Not sure which would work better or if I even have an option.

Glad you had that taken care of.  The markings might depend on the surgery and where they are going to take out any colon.  My initial visit here and then joining was just to ask questions, like you, because my surgery was to give me an ostomy as well.  Just didn't know which one for me, permanent or temporary so both sides were marked for me.  Wishing you the best.

Kim

Hi everyone

I had colon tumor removal surgery with colostomy on 7-19-18.Liver mets still in place. First I used ine piece pouch for several time but had leakage proble now using two pieces pouch which is more effective for me. My stoma is on my right side. I can not sleep on side completeley but half way on side is ok. I was told give 2 months for total recovery, and bowel movements will have its pattern. I am still empting pouch 5-7 times a day. I hope this help.

thanks

Kadir