Colon Resection

[poolgirl415]

Hi. I am new to this forum and have some questions for those of you who have undergone this surgery. I am wondering what post op care you received immediatley after surgery during your stay in the hospital.

I understand this surgery carries a risk if leakage at the resection site. How do they monitor that? Do they take blood tests at certain intervals? Routine blood pressure checks? How long after the surgery were you allowed to eat solid (soft) foods? Were you able to keep the food down?

I know what the doctor has told me...I just want to hear from real people that have experienced it. Thanks so much. Any info would help!

[shygirlnca]

Hi, I underwent the colon resection March 21, 2009. Mine was an emergency operation so I didn't the proper "clean out" as the doctor would have liked. Have you undergone this surgery?

[poolgirl415]

I did not. My father did. I just want to be sure he was recieving the proper care afterwards.

[molliemarie]

I had this surgery in Jan. of 2007. I was in the hospital for a total of five days. I was eating soft foods the next day and kept the food down. They did not take blood test. I had no leakage to my knowledge anyways. They did check my blood pressure frequently. I was made to get up and walk the next day. Everyday I had to walk so long, so many times a day. I had ports that they drained frequently.

[shygirlnca]

Sorry to hear about your Dad. From my research and experience, if there was leakage, your Dad would be experiencing an infection at the site of the incension. I did experience the same, and they put you on antibiotics, and if warrented, they can insert a drain tube. If your Dad had an emergency operation, then chances are he will have some level of infection. If not, they would have prepared him prior to the operation by cleaning his colon out.

I was on soft food until I had a BM. Then I was allowed solid foods. Now that I am home, I am very tired and have some pain at the site. This is normal from what I was told. Most of our energy and caloric intake is going towards the healing of the incension site. As long as your Dad is not running a fever, vomiting, or blood in his stool, its a slow process. I hope this helps.

Debbie

[aflorez66]

I had the resection completed May 29, 09. This was a second surgery to reverse a colostomy from a perforation in Decemeber 08. You cannot eat for four to five days, The nurses check blood preassure throughout the day and take blood test twice daily. They look at you white blood cell count to make sure there is no infection. The nurses also give you plenty of antibiotics to prevent infection. I was in the Hospital for a total of six days. Initially I had gas and eventually went to the "rest room". Once I went, I was able to be released and come home. My incisions were stapled and two days after my release they were removed. Each person is different. This was my expierience.

Good Luck

[robbierr]

My boyfriend had surgery to resection his colon on Monday the 24th Aug. He started on a liquid diet this AM for the first food by mouth. Regular Blood checks, Temp and BP. He is still on IV fluids and they are measuring his output. They are also checking the drainage for infection and outside fluids (ie: urine and bowel) He has had nausea and severe abdominal pain, gas and belches.

[shellsvirgo]

Hi,
First how's your boyfriend? Good I hope. My husband also had colon resection surgery on Aug 5th 2009. The surgery was recommended to him after several issues with diverticulitis. He was released from the hospital on Saturday, Aug 8th. The recovery in the hospital went well, no issues. The only meds they sent him home with were Vicodin and 800 mg ibuprof. The surgeon didn't give him much advice as far as what to eat specifically once he was home. Other than eat anything you can "mash with a fork." So, it has been about 3 weeks now. The first 2 weeks he was home, he was feeling great! Too good he said. No real issues or pain. Going to the bathroom ok. Now suddenly since Aug 24th he is having severe abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting once he has a BM. He hasn't really had any solid food for about 2-3 days now. CAT scan on Monday the 24th showed everything "normal." After spending all day at the ER yesterday - due to vomiting and nausea and ab pain - they tried another medicine Ativan; supposedly for muscle spasms. Nothing seems to touch the pain or nausea. Any suggestions out there? I don't know how long the recovery process is for this surgery. Doesn't seem like he should be in this much pain and nausea still. Any input would be great!