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First ever resection Friday night..was emergency

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 1/15/2012 6:57 PM (GMT -6)
So Wed I went to the hospital in great pain..the shipped me to the U of A hospital on Friday and
by Friday night I had my first resection done...25inched of intestine plus a fistula that had just
started. All in feeling good...had to have two blood transfusions as hemogloben was really low...still
have the NG tube..I will have that until tuesday or wed when they start clear fluids...any tips out there
on diet and what to watch for...I know that I will be on soft foods for a bit...but still need
tips and ideas...

Thanks guys you are all such great help!!!!
Posted 1/15/2012 6:58 PM (GMT -6)
Lol...sorry about the way that looks...I am on my phone to type that..lol
Posted 1/15/2012 7:28 PM (GMT -6)
Hey there,

I had my first surgery / resection when I was 24, I am 40 now. I know all about it. LOL. The main thing is to remember to try to avoid things with seeds or peelings (like tomatoes that are unpeeled, cucumbers, pickles, corn, popcorn, peanuts) anything that doesn't break down when digesting. Other than that, you should be able to eat anything you want. I was told a long time ago that diet doesn't really effect Crohn's unless you are having a flare up.

I hope this helps you a bit. Good luck!
Posted 1/15/2012 9:23 PM (GMT -6)
I had a resection about 7 years ago I was only 14 and had the same worries. You'll soon realize that your body will tell you what it can and cannot tolerate as long as you listen you'll be fine. I made sure to try small amounts of food to experiment first when doctors told me I could eat normally again. Food that always bothered my stomach such as corn and salad were definitely foods I stayed clear of.

I have been in remission for about 2 years now (knock on wood) and can eat any and all foods in moderation including popcorn and salad. so there is hope for a varied diet along the line!
Good luck to you I know the U of A hospital is wonderful and will take good care of you! best wishes your way.
Posted 1/16/2012 3:00 AM (GMT -6)
well first off go slow, even when they tell you to eat normally, dont. slow and steady. gradually increase over many days. just my opinion after 14 surgeries .. ;o)
Posted 1/16/2012 3:03 AM (GMT -6)
oh yeah? what U of A, arizona, alabama, alaska, alberta, albainia, afghanistan, argentina, antigua?
Posted 1/16/2012 3:35 AM (GMT -6)
No advice for you, as I haven't had a resection yet, but I wanted to send you an enormous bunch of flowers (or floaty balloons if flowers aren't allowed on your ward) and wish you a speedy recovery and a long and happy and energetic remission.

Ivy.
Posted 1/16/2012 5:23 AM (GMT -6)
Sorry to hear you had to have surgery. But that said, I have to echo Randy --- go slow with your food intake. My last surgery was to remove about a 6 inch stricture and I remember the pain of mashed potatoes passing through the first time OUCH! Whatever you can tolerate that is soft for the first couple of weeks is probably best JMHO. When you do start adding solids it's best to avoid anything spicy or fiber for a bit also. On discharge I was given a list of foods by the dietician and when it was ok to start adding them. Honestly though it was a bit aggressive for me and I had to tailor it to my body.

The NG tube sucks, I know. When they pull it you will probably be give broth and jello. How long do they expect you'll be in? Hopefully not too long. Rest & let us know how things are going.
Posted 1/16/2012 7:01 AM (GMT -6)
Best wishes for a speedy recovery,Slainte
Posted 1/16/2012 7:36 AM (GMT -6)
The whole process must have been so scary! I hope you have a very speedy recovery! Keep us updated as to how you are doing!
Posted 1/17/2012 12:08 AM (GMT -6)
University of Alberta..lol

My NG tube was pulled today...they wanted me passing gas before they would take it out...so the nurse and I went for a short little suffle down the hall(legs have retained a ton of water)...then sat in a chair for an hour and tooted to my hearts content.

Even though I have the NG out its still only ice chips and popsicles...doctor doesnt want to rush into anything..and thats fine with me. Tuesday they are putting in a port and starting me on TPN as well as my actuall food diet..they want all the nutrients that I can get in me so I heal well....I probably will not be out of here intil monday next week....thats ok with me as well..dont want to rush anything....the only thing I rushed was the NG tube...but who wouldnt..lol.
Will I be able to eat salads and the fully made sandwich...like with the lettuce..tomato..cucumbers..pickles..etc...I know I have to go slow when adding foods...and I will be on liquids here for a fee days before full fluids..and the want me tolerating a soft light diet before I even think about going home.

The pain right now is ouch..they took out my epidural today..so things are tender..expecially with gas moving through all that newly tender tummy....
Posted 1/17/2012 1:36 AM (GMT -6)
I have noticed that I have had to try my old safe foods in small doses since my emergency surgeries (ended up with 4 all in all in 12 months) some that I use to be able to handle no prob are now huge issues
Posted 1/17/2012 3:36 AM (GMT -6)
Hi there

I have not had a resection but if I had to I would try elemental food, such as E028 which is a liquid food containing all the nutrients you need but no fibre. Thn eafter a few weeks you can start adding in foods as slowly as you like. This is what I did after having several abscesses and having surgical drainage, and I found it very helpful. You may be able to get it on prescription, I dont know. I think its important to go at your own pace and let yourself heal. Best wishes!
Posted 1/17/2012 10:10 AM (GMT -6)
I remember sitting in the hospital after my first surgery and watching all the TV commercials for fast food. I wanted to eat EVERYTHING! I soon learned, though, it's best to just take it a little slow. Give your belly time to catch up. It's had a rough time! And honestly, you'll know when it's time to increase your diet. Your body will tell you. Good luck on the recovery. The first few days are pretty "ouchy, " but the best thing you can do is keep walking. That helps move the gas around and will relieve any bloating. Seriously, I think I wore a hole in the carpet on the floor I was on in the hospital. The nurses thought it was too funny. They told me to put my running shoes on. The faster you get things really "moving," the sooner you'll be out. And oh yeah, go easy on the apple juice (gas...)!
Posted 1/17/2012 6:27 PM (GMT -6)
I wish I could do alot of walking....I am so malnurushed that when they started the iv fluids I sucked it all in like a vacuum...lol....my body is so swollen I need help to get off the pot and to get out of bed...walking ia a little shuffle...I am taking it all day by day and not pushing it...I just got my pic line this afternoon...so once they start me on some nutrition other then liquids I will start to feel better.

Has anybody here done a TPN? How long did it to know your body was getting the nutrtion..for example..energy increases... ability to do abit morr etc...

Thanks everybody.. ;-)
Posted 1/17/2012 9:37 PM (GMT -6)
lady1012-

I've had TPN 4 times, but I didn't notice any increase in energy or anything myself. Only difference I noticed was very strong smelling urine. I suspect that's from all the nutrients in the TPN.

Take care,
Bill
Posted 1/17/2012 11:22 PM (GMT -6)
Just want to wish you great health now and a long remission.

Definitely go slow with starting new foods. I suggest you stick to a more natural diet for a while, lots of soups, applesauce, toast, chicken breast is probably okay, potatoes with some butter & salt. I ate a lot of gluten free after my resection, basically, anything that was easy to digest.

Walking is helpful for healing, but in very small spurts for the first couple of weeks, even just around the house is good.
Posted 1/18/2012 10:21 AM (GMT -6)
I myself experienced an emergency resection. Not fun for sure. Mine was my first resection too! Try to walk as much as you can, it will help to wake your bowels back up. Also, I agree 100% with randynoguts, go very very slow on your diet. I stayed very bland for the first 4-5 weeks to give my body time to heal. I will share one thing with you and that is don't eat broccoli or cauliflower. They are cruciferous veggies that cause some really painful gas attacks. I learned that the hard way.

Also make sure you get back on some type of maintenance meds. I was told after my first resection I now no longer needed meds. Big mistake, I ended up having to have another resection on 3 years later.

Here's hoping your surgery leads to a long long remission. Hugs!
Posted 1/18/2012 5:24 PM (GMT -6)
Thank you all very much!!! The talks are in the works for a maintenence drug...not sure if we are keeping humira or going for a smaller gun....time will tell..humira works for me and I dont mind staying on it. The TPN feed is going well...its nice to have full use of my arm even though its working.

My first fluid breakfast.....jello, orange juice.. no pain or discomfort
My first fluid lunch..chicken broth, jello, tea, apple juice....only had broth..tea and half jello....some gas cramps...well more then some...but its all moving...

Question is what can I do to relieve it here in hospital? Legs are retaining lots of water so very hard to walk..but I do it anyway..and the nurse gives me a heated flannel to put on my belly...
Posted 1/20/2012 3:39 AM (GMT -6)
Hi Lady,
I had my resection in October. They took 18" of small intestine. I loved the TPN because, like you I was under/malnourished. 5'6" 92 lbs. It took about a week to notice a difference...I could get out of bed on my own. Not so "fog brained." After surgery I walked a lot of short walks, to help with getting gas out. I also noticed more energy. I put 4 lbs on in a week. I am up to 119 lbs now, after going on Imuran for maintence med.

(My surgeon even prescribed gum, yes...I got to chew trident gum to help with getting gas out!) After about 2 weeks of liquid diet, gum was a treat for sure. You may want to inquire about that.

I hope you heal well and have a long long remission. My best advice is to "take it easy" and try not to overdo anything, whether it be activity or diet...take it slow.

I feel so much better now that I had the surgery, I hope you do too! Kathy
Posted 1/20/2012 9:02 AM (GMT -6)
I wish you speedy recovery. Why are you retaining so much fluid? I agree with Nanners one needs to be put on a maintenence drug, or you could end up with recurrent crohns and usually at the resection site. Been there and done that for that last 32 years. I'm glad the NG tube is out - that thing is dreadful! Take it easy with the acid juices (orange) and once you advance from the fluid diet you will start on soft stuff ie cream soups, mashed potatoes, cooked carrots, etc..

Keep us posted on your progress,

Julia (also in Alberta)
Posted 1/20/2012 9:10 AM (GMT -6)
They said the reason I am retaining so much fluid is because of a protien deficiency...I came into hospital very malnurished..so when givin saline IV I just reatained it all..they couldnt understand why my catheter bag was never very full....now I am retaning water from neck to knees....the areas I need strenght in to get out of bed.
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