Home From 2nd Resection Surgery

I just got home from the hospital, and have to say I fell like I just got beat up... But I now have it behind me..

I was wondering if anyone remembers, after their resections, how long does the extreme DD last.. I guess I don't remember the first time, it being so extreme and painful.

I also wonder if anyone has any advice on how to make the pain feel better at the operation site. Mine is about 8 inches long and VERY painful, even on Vicoden.

Thanks for any advice.

I agree with Nanners, take your pain medication as prescribed especially for the first couple of weeks. It is so much easier to stay on top of the pain then it is to GET on top of it. I also found that it helped to use a scar treatment gel or cream (I used Mederma) to rub on the scar a couple of times a day to keep it soft because I found that the 'pulling' was itchy and uncomfortable. Check with your Dr before you start it though. You want to make sure you are healed up pretty well.

I also had the explosive D after surgery. My surgeon said it was relatively normal (although some people have C).

Hope you feel better soon!

Agreed! Stay in front of the pain, most important. I also found it helpful to keep a pillow with me to hug and press against the incision site.

I am home after surgery, with D about 5 times a day.

I have come dangerously close to Cardiac arhythmia when my potassium levels get close to 2.5, you lose it during D. In the hospital they are always pumping potassium for that very reason. Taking 3-4 pills a day is not enough, please take a blood test once a week to test your potassium, your hemogloblin and your white cell counts. when you are home that monitoring is not being done like in the hospita.

I will be posting extensively on all of this since I have had multiple surgeries and know the complications.

I thought I was doing well last week and ended up in the hospital for 5 days, again.

Hope you get a long remission.

I had resection back in Feb of this year. It must have taken a good 3 or 4 weeks for the pain to subdue to a level were it wasnt too bad. I was taken tramadol 50 to 100mg every 4 to 6 hours. Even if you dont have much pain you are better taking something if you dont combat it until it is very sore then you will be putting yourself through a lot of unnecessary pain.

As for the D, I was the same it was just continuous and really saps what little energy you have when you are constantly going back and forth to the toilet.

I also had the same problem as yohimbe and my potassium and other electrolyte levels became dangerously low several times. I would strongly advise to get your bloods done once a week and if you feel any tingling or cramp in your hands, feets and other muscles to contact your doc pronto as it is a sure sign you electrolytes are low. I had to back in the hospital twice for this reason.

At that stage I really didnt think would get better and thought I would be in and out of hospital for ever. However, after a good 2 to 3 months after my op things did settle down the D has now stopped although I do take immodium daily for this. I also took supplements for the electrolytes for several months but those have also leveled off to an acceptable level. I've also piled on a lot of weight since the op and fitter and healthier than I have been for years. It can be really struggle for the first few months after your op but I've been there and things will def improve over time.