Preparing for possible surgery

[bowelpain]

I am finding out on thursday if i need bowel surgery. If i do its possible i am admitted there and then. Obviously need a degree of preparation in case this happens. However, i dont want to spiral in case it doesnt.

Any ideas of items which are useful for hosp but not a waste if all is ok?

Found a previous thread which suggested a clip to clip chargers to the sheets. Lioving this hack.

Hi. I just came out of surgery. What I most wish I'd had more of was big, comfy knickers. Also, flip flops or similar for the shower, dressing gown, phone, long charging cable and a book.

Thanks @Willowkins how is recovery going?

I have a pack of disposable pregnancy knickers which were comfortable and stretchie.
Crocs for the shower.

Sounds like you've got the essentials
I'm feeling better everyday thanks.

Thanks @Willowkins glad you are feeling better. How long were you in hospital for? Are you off work atm?

For bowel surgery also take chewing gum and easy-to-put-on non-slip shoes.
The chewing gum helps wake your bowel up again afterwards.
And doing laps of your ward in your non-slip shoes helps too as the vibrations from your footfalls stimulate the bowel to get moving.

Good luck with it all 🤞

Thanks @ThisZingyBlueFish i wouldnt have thought of chewing gum so thanks. I am not really a fan of mint chewing gum so will get some fruit flavoured.

Have you had bowel surgery?

Yes, unfortunately I've had 3 bowel surgeries and will be having a 4th early next year.
The surgery itself has never been too bad but getting things moving again afterwards and into a new 'normal' routine has been the hard part.

Thanks @ThisZingyBlueFish so sorry to hear you have had a numvber of surgeries. I had a lot of problens with the bowel getting back working after gynae surgery. The ng tube was the worst bit.

What have things been like after bowel surgery?

I've typed this reply twice now and deleted it as I don't want to freak you out. Everyone's different and I don't know the nature of your surgery or issues, but since you asked I'm going to share.

I've lost a total of about a metre of bowel now as well as my gall bladder, spleen and part of my pancreas.

I go through periods of bowel routine impacting every aspect of my life (not being able to go far from a bathroom, not being able to poo for 7-10 days, having random pain/partial blockages/diarrhoea/wind, sitting on the toilet for up to 8 hours a day, dropping drastic weight due to the vicious cycle of can't eat/can't poo) and then there are weeks where all is good and the only reminder of my surgeries is my scarring.

And OMG the NG tube - worst thing ever! If you've managed that in the past you can handle anything ❤️

I dpont exactly know whats happening tbh. They are doing a CT on weds and a consultant appointment on Thursday but said they admit to get on a surgery list. @ThisZingyBlueFish I would prefer to go in knowing what it could be like. I understand theyput quite a big ng in as well there was some relief when it was drained but otherwise it was one of the worst experiences especially when a hca pulled on it and it made me sick

You might want stretchy joggers in a size or two bigger than your usual size as your abdomen will be very swollen for a while after bowel surgery.

Ear plugs because hospitals are noisy and you won't sleep otherwise
Long charger cable in case plug is far away
Headphones for any devices
Your own pillow because theirs will be rubbish
Slip on shoes (and/or grippy slipper socks)
Flip flops if you might shower there

Leave things at home set up so nothing is up high or down low as you might struggle to bend or stretch.

If OT visit you on ward afterwards to get you moving, make sure they teach you how to get out of a normal bed at home not just a hospital bed that you can move to make it easier. It's really difficult to sit up and pull yourself out of a normal bed if they've cut through your core muscles for surgery.

Usually they'll want to get you moving and eating very soon afterwards, as it's better for recovery and getting your bowel working again. Though depends what your surgery is. If your bowel doesn't get paralysed you might not need an NG tube.

Usual toiletries and things so you can feel normal. Baby wipes can make it a bit easier the first few days.

Hospital temperature is usually hotter than the surface of the sun, so if your normal pyjamas are long trousers/sleeves you might want shorts and t-shirts (stretchy and a size or two up).

Do you know what type of bowel surgery it might be?

Thanks@gapattachment thats a helpful list. I was admitted with constipation then it cleared and was discharged. However, ambulatory care saw for xrays and blood test. They said would book a ct to get more pics and then it may need surgery. I am not being told much tbh.

If they do an ng am i likely to wakeup with this or have it done when awake.

This is obviously speculative but it sounds like they're concerned there may be a mechanical obstruction (eg adhesions from your previous surgery) so might be thinking bowel resection.

Worst case scenario that might mean a temporary or permanent stoma, but they'd try to avoid that if they can and you'd meet a stoma nurse for support if that happens. It's less likely to happen with elective resection without perforation of the bowel.

Generally most hospitals follow some form of Enhanced Recovery Programme for bowel surgery, which would mean they wouldn't give you an NG immediately. They'd only do that later if you had postoperative ileus (i.e. your bowel was paralysed).

If you had a non-emergency bowel resection by keyhole surgery without any complications then you'd probably be discharged within 3-4 days. It'll be a little longer if open surgery without complications but still probably less than a week.

This leaflet has some useful information about how Enhanced Recovery Programmes look for bowel surgery and what to plan and expect afterwards. It also mentions getting in food/meals at home ready for discharge.

https://www.imperial.nhs.uk/-/media/website/patient-information-leaflets/surgery/colorectal-surgery/enhanced-recovery-programme-erp-for-colorectal-surgery.pdf?rev=48442fa697b440e08269f3bf1f3362d6&sc_lang=en

They may only have mentioned surgery as a potential outcome if scans reveal an obstruction or perforation, rather than expecting it.

If things were bad enough that they were sure there was an obstruction such that you were at risk of perforation I cannot imagine they'd have transferred you to ambulatory care because that's a life threatening scenario.

Bowel surgery sounds scarier than it is. If it happens you will be okay and you will start feeling better again.

If you take a notebook in with you, each day you can take a note of one small thing that has progressed or improved since the previous day, e.g. being disconnected from one of the drips or machines, getting out of bed, eating toast, etc.

It helps if feeling overwhelmed to be able to see that you are already making all these little steps towards recovery right from the first hour out of surgery. And if they're written down it's easier to absorb if you're feeling overwhelmed (some of the drugs can make you feel low).

Also maybe take a magazine rather than a book (or as well as a book). I know everyone is different but after all the anaesthetic drugs and then the painkillers, I had the attention span of an insect and couldn't focus on complicated distractions.

If you've got a tablet, maybe download some films or picture books(!) or easy activities.

Thanks @gapattachment the info is really helpful. I dont think its definate they are doing the surgery i think its a possibility that they wanted to prep me for.

They said to go to A&E if i am in severe pain not helped by codeine. Am repeatedly being sick, have a temp or swollen abdomon or cant pass wind.

Eye mask & earplugs are an absolute essential
Long phone/device charging cables to reach your bed (preferably 3m)
Snacks + cordial - can’t rely on hospital food!

I have just spent a week in hospital after a long surgery on stomach and breast following cancer now treated. At ours they only liked you to have 1 bag initially at least and no valuables. It was incredibly hot, heating at max, heated pads on me, extra heater in room. I had weight restrictions on what could carry so the light things worked best once off drip and catheter could get by myself.

Things I liked best short button up pyjamas as they wanted to see me once an hour for 7 days for checks so needed to be able to show my operated parts quickly but short pjs felt better than a gown. If in a gown knickers worth having a few of if allowed those as they open at the back. I had a set of travel size Molton Brown which was brilliant, only used one bath and one handcream but they were strong smelling and took away hospital smell and everyone complimented them and you felt less like in a hospital. Slippers were nicer than the non slip socks. Paper and a pen. Change of clothes. I took a book but eyesight was meh so struggled with reading. Toothpaste and toothbrush, mini ones though they had those if you asked. Hairbrush. They had lots of cleaning wipes. Handgel, tiny bottle. I just ate the hospital food and drink, the drinks were mainly water, sometimes with ice, generally without which quickly went luke warm with the heat but they have fruit juices if you ask, cranberry, orange apple, pineapple of reasonable quality and hot drinks if 50C isn't hot enough for you. 🤣 Breakfast was cereal and milk or a yoghurt and not too bad, all branded stuff. Lunch and dinner were pretty dire but quantities were fine, just made on a 10p budget like main course cheese only dessert tinned fruit with 4 pieces or cream of chicken for main with no cream and the tiniest single piece of chicken. Cold rice pudding yum. All of the food they said was heated from frozen so it was worth asking what the least bad option was. Potatoes mash was OK, esp if got gravy but jackets and roast potatoes were best avoided. Very low in fruit and veg so I had fruit juices but some fruit might have been good but would need to keep at 50C so not sure.

Take a few teabags. All I wanted was a cup of tea, but it was in a huge pot and very stewed. You can just ask for hot water and have a cup of your own tea. Your own pillow in a coloured pillow case so they can’t appropriate it.

A little mirror so you can still do your hair if you can’t move out of bed at first.

Hair might be the last thing on your mind but the next day, if you are still hooked up to things and can’t move, I have always wanted to see what I look like.

Earplugs and noise cancelling headphones and an extra long charger are very important items to bring. Hospital wards are so noisy. Best of luck with your surgery. I’m hoping to get my stoma reversed in three weeks time.

As an update I didnt get an answer on if i need surgery. They are taking things to a meeting next week. Options are either a colonoscopy or open surgery.