Thursday, January 28, 2010

Surgery, Here I come

I met with the surgeon today to ask my last round of questions. I had already made up my mind, but she talked me through the whole thing start to finish. She's going to start off doing it laparoscopically first, and only open the whole abdomen if it becomes necessary. That's good! The whole process takes about 4 hours, and I will be in hospital for 4-7 days as they monitor the gradual reintroduction of liquids then food. The day before I'll have to be on clear fluids and some 'prep' called PicoSala to clean me out. She also tells me that one of our goals and a likely outcome is that I'll be able to eat normally again! Woot!

We also discussed risks. There's a 5-7% chance of the attached ends leaking their contents into my abdomen through the sutures. In that case I'll need another surgery and possibly a temporary external pouch as it heals. Terrifying to me but very low probability. Other possible complications are internal bleeding, infection and scar tissue. She said everyone who has surgery deals with scar tissue. But it's only an issue for me if it causes an obstruction. Either way, these complications will be dealt with if they come up.

Afterwards I'm looking at a couple of weeks of fatigue as I recover... and pain of course. She said that when I go to the pre-op clinic a week before, the anaesthesiologist will discuss with me the option of having an epidural to control pain immediately afterwards. Not sure whether that sounds like a good idea or not. We'll see. But after recovery I'm hoping to be a new me. Or rather... the old me of 10 years ago. That would be awesome! The surgery is at the end of March so I have two months to gain weight, exercise my heart, and prepare. I'm scared and anxious, but also hopeful and impatient to be rid of this aching stabbing pain that won't go away.

Surgery here I come, wish me luck!

7 comments:

  1. sounds very promising, and like you're a prime candidate. good luck, and don't burn yourself down to the ground prepping :)

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  2. Good Luck! I hope the operation goes well and you recover quickly.

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  3. Good luck!! I had an open surgery - incision about 9 inches vertically - and was out of the hospital first thing on the fourth day. Recovery wasn't bad at all - I was back at work in three weeks, but I could have even gone sooner, I'm sure. I did wake up immediately after the surgery and before they got me to the recovery room, (i.e. no pain meds yet) - not fun, but, seriously: bad flares aren't much better. A strong girl like you will do fabulously!!! All my best and I hope you feel at peace with your decision.

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  4. Oh, and you must be ESTATIC that you'll be able to eat real food again soon! Helllllo veggies! ;-)

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  5. Good luck! Get some Johnson and Johnson baby wash for after the surgery. It cleans really well and doesn't dry your skin out or stink really badly. I will mos def be praying for you!

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  6. I just had the exact same surgery, but I didn't know it was coming. Surgery went perfect, and I was eating anything and everything by week 2. The first two weeks are the worst and then by week 6 you feel good. Keep positive and don't think about it to much. You already made your decision there is nothing to dwell on. Good Luck.

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  7. Thanks everyone!!! I appreciate all the encouragement.

    Kathryn- you nailed it... I can't wait to eat fruit! But I'm trying not to get my hopes too hight up. :)

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