Soon after I posted the previous message. I had some relief, but not much. It was very hard and formed. I had a glycerin suppository in for over an hour. I had been drinking coffee all morning Emma, wonder if that is what kicked it in gear. I am sooo bad at not keeping a food diary and keeping track of what food does what. Maybe I better start. I was not nauseous, but I have been retaining fluid. I need to make it looser some how, that is why I took the softeners. I will eat an apple later, maybe that will help.
Kelly
What was the worst part of surgery? I hear you talk about a tube, which really scares me. What exactly is it?
What does your diet consist of?
Did you gain/lose weight? Do you have trouble keeping weight on or off?
How long was your recovery?
I look forward to hearing from you.
Shelbs
Shelbs, glad you found this site. I found it after my surgery. Lucky for you, you found it before. All of us that will reply to your questions will have different answers. We are in different stages of post surgey. We have all had the surgery fairly recently. I think we are were all on or about the same course in post surgery. Some have recovered great with minor problems and others still have aways to go. I encourage you to read "Total Colectomy Part 4. During Part 4 is when most of us had our surgeries. There is a lot of broken down information about each of us and a lot of good advice.
I will give my answers to your questions.
Hi Ladies,
I just lost a long post/message because my computer is being a pain--so will make this shorter.
Amira, so glad you are doing better now that you're home! I hope it continues and that you're feeling stronger everyday.
Emma, just wanted to let you know I've never had a problem with cantaloupe or pineapple and eat both fairly regularly. The cantaloupe seems to digest/dissolve a little more easily, but both are fine. I would suggest small bites and chewing well as always.
As for my personal info, I'm in Chicago and I think someone else is too. Judging from other people's cities, this might be a good hub or meeting place :) I'm originally from Iowa, so anything works. And, not sure when or where, but I'm happy to help in planning...I actually plan events for a living. A new convention would be fun :) Mostly just meeting everyone and talking in person would do wonders for us all in my opinion. I'll send my info for the contact sheet :)
It's funny that some of you mentioned the right side pain (due to the appendix maybe) -- I had that too and still occasionally do. It will have been 7 months since surgery for me next week. So hard to believe. I'm pondering a 5K for October--but have a lot of work to do to get in shape! It's something that would make my year--after all the challenges of these past years. Sommer-- you are an inspiration since you've done a run and have so much more going on already in your life! Thank you!
Last, I just wanted to mention that chewing gum sometimes stimulates my system to go to the bathroom. For those of you who still take Miralax or have trouble from time to time, it might be worth a shot. I don't want to give out bad medical advice, but I think the chewing stimulates the motility of the intestine in anticipation of receiving food...so it might help. heck, maybe it has something to do with an ingredient in the gum that helps. I also remember reading an article a few years ago that more women were able to pass their first BM after giving birth with the aid of chewing gum than those who did not. So, for what it's worth...you might try it. I find sometimes that I'll chew gum at work and within a couple minutes, I have to go (again!). I've plateaued since surgery and still go a lot...but the gum makes me go whether I've just eaten or not.
So, that's all...sorry to have lost the first message. I have to go for now and get ready for my day tomorrow. Take care everyone--it's great to be part of such a close-knit group on a board--even though most of the time I feel like I don't have much to contribute because surgery was so long ago and all of our situations are different. Be well and smile :)
Avery
Somer - big LOL at your post. I had something similar to what you did, except I realized that I had eaten a dinner with tomato sauce in it before I freaked out, so then I relaxed!
Shelbs - I will TRY not to get long winded here.... but I am not good at short answers!
Worst part of surgery - the prep by far. I had problems with it and I was throwing up and stuff, so I had to be hospitalization for dehydration. I was the one that had the tube, its called a nasogastric tube (goes down the nose and into the stomach) and the only reason I had it was to give me go-lytely. It didnt work real well.... and I did not have the tube after surgery!
Diet - I was on nothing for the first 2 days, clear liquids the next day, full liquids 2 more, then I had a little set back and started throwing up so clear liquids for 2 more days and finally full liquids the last day. I was on a full liquid diet for one week when I came home, and then a soft diet for 2 more weeks. Just Thurs I started a general diet, although I havent had hardly anything that wasnt on the soft diet list. I had a very conservative surgeon because other people on this list were able to eat much sooner, but on the other hand I didnt have diarrhea or nausea at all.
Weight - I lost 26 pounds in 11 days... it was a little rough on my system... I have been slowly gaining a little bit back! I am waiting for the OK to exercise (I had a small split in my incision after I got home) and as soon as they sayit is ok I will be going back to it so the weight should stabilize. My doctor will NOT let you diet for 6 months, unless its weight watchers. Also the most important thing you can do is drink... at least 64oz a day, even if you dont want to!
Recovery - I am a lucky girl... although I have had to deal with an allergic reaction and a split incision I have been doing great. I went out for the first time one and a half weeks after I went home (was in hospital for 9 days which is longer than most) I was driving 2 days later, and there hasnt been much holding me back. I am not back to work, but I work as a nurse and do alot of heavy lifting, so that is why. I have been enjoying the time off anyways. But, I have been doing housework and running errands and stuff and I am fine, I just get tired easily! I took ibuprofen the first weekend I was home, and about 1 1/2 weeks ago I stopped taking it. I have some pain, but it is not a big deal. (I have a pretty high pain tolerance)
Surgeon - ask around, ask to speak to a former patient... and sometimes you just have to go with your gut. Generally it is a pretty simple surgery by surgeon standards, the person with the hardest job is the patient and the small intestine!
If you wanna chat further, feel free to email me. Shelbs it is nice to have someone else my own age (I love all of you ladies but I am the youngest one)
BTW I am 25 years old too, from Wisconsin :)
Just got back from dinner and a movie... and yes I had the potato skins... and I am doing fine!
Hugs,
Emma
VEGAS !!! Sounds good, but I have never flown. I am afraid. IF and IF is a big one. I will need someone to meet me at the airport, because I will have taken 2 valium before take off. 
Hopefully, they will attach a parachute to me in case of emergency. Then, someone has to kick me out. Maybe I could hook with you Chicago area ladies. Maybe your flights would go thru Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Seriously, I have been having small, pellet like stools. Below my navel it is very sore and tight. I try to strain to go and that makes the pain worse. I don't think the food is moving down. I have drank the Sunny D (tangerine flavor), eaten apples and tomatos. I still think that some types of food stay around longer and others pass over them. I am going back for another Dr. visit on Monday. If I call, not sure they can do anything for me over the phone. Suggestions welcomed.
Avery - Where in Iowa are you from?
Kelly
Kelly - try some high fiber foods. Make sure you are drinking enough water. DO NOT STRAIN! Try some warm liquids, chewing gum, maybe some stool softeners or how about some Benefiber over the counter. If all of these do not work, you need to call! You dont wanna do any damage to your anastomosis site. The spot where the small intestine is joined to the rectum is just above the pubic area, so if that is where your pain is you need to call!
God, I sound like a nurse... get it out of me! LOL j/k I love to help people. As far as the plane... come through Green Bay and I will take care of you! :)
Just got back from the follow up and the doctor says he doesnt need to see me ever again! Yeah! (unless I have a major problem) he says I am doing great and not worry as long as I go every 1-2 days. He said I am a rarity though because most people go more than this and suspects that my entire GI system is slow moving... but thats ok! I can go back to weight watchers, and I can eat whatever I want to (although he encourages high fiber diet) and I can walk and swim (no weights or lifting though until sept 15th) but still.. I am a happy girl!
Hugs,
Emma
Emma aka HAPPY GIRL - Bravissimo !!! for your post op visit.
FIBER - I am so afraid of fiber, so afraid. When I ate my raisin bran, it seemed like it just got stuck there and did not move. Same for oatmeal. I have benefiber. But, if things are moving slow thru the small intestine, will the fiber still help? I just want to eat and poop with no problems. Like I said, I go back to the surgeon on Monday the 29th. Untill then, I am really going to be choosey on what I eat and not eat very much. I will continue to drink water. Coffee when I can. What flavor Sunny D did you drink? Hot chocolate counts as a warm drink?
about weight watchers, I want to stay at this weight now, maybe about 5# less. I think if my surgeron ok's it, I would like to try that drug Meridia. Just to stave off my incredible need to be constantly eating, I mean it is incredible. Does anyone have any other suggestions here, something in a healthfood store or OTC.
Kelly
DO NOT go on Meridia! You do not need a drug to control your appetite, especially if you are not obeses. You need to make decisions! As far as the fiber, I actually got the lecture about the high fiber diet. They WANT you to have a high fiber diet and they WANT you to have fruits and veggies in large amount. I always drank the Sunny D Smooth version and it works well, although I havent had any in weeks. Honestly, if something was seruiously wrong you would feel worse. If you are not nauseous I would keep eating, especially high fiber foods and drink that hot chocolate! Honestly if you had an obstruction, you would be nauseous and throwing up right now! At least you are able to put food in and get food out. You were the one with the rectal problems right? Perhaps you need to be dilated... or perhaps your anastomosis needs to be dilated.. just some thoughts! But really... if you were obstructed your body has a way of showing you its NOT happy! How about trying a high fiber food that you havent tried yet, like just a few bites!
I dont know... when I am happy I just want everyone else to be as happy as I am! :) Im off to go to Kohls and then buy my office fridge... Yeah!
Hugs,
Emma