DH has had a right hemicolectomy - anyone got any tips

[muttonjeffmum]

My DH had emergency surgery on Tuesday night to remove the right side of his colon and his appendix. He is still in a lot of pain which seems to get worse at night. Still not allowed to eat or drink anything other than water. Has anyone had any experience of this.

What was the recovery like? His self-employed and I know I shouldn't panic about money and his health is more important I am wondering how long we will have to manage for.

Thank you.

My mum had this operation in December. She was in hospital for 5 days (they threw her out too early but I won't go there now!) and she wasn't allowed food for about 3 days. The specialist recovery nurse said some consultants like their patients to eat and drink quickly but others prefer to completely rest the bowel for a few days.

The advice is 6 weeks no heavy lifting, driving etc. I imagine he'll feel quite weak and weary as an emergency surgery like this is a huge shock to the system.

My mum drove at 6 weeks and is back doing all her normal things, although she gets very tired and still suffers with chronic diarrhea. This is her 2nd major abdo surgery in a short space of time, so not sure if that had an impact or not.

If you have any other questions, I'll be happy to answer them as best I can.

I had one in July 2011. I was on a liquid diet (think jelly, ice cream, clear soup) for a couple of days, then back to normal.
I was discharged after I had had 2 days of bowel movements. I hint that was 6 days after surgery.
I didn't drive for 6 weeks and found that the unpredictable nature of my bowels made going out a bit unpleasant for he first couple of weeks ( although I did go to a music festival 4 weeks post surgery).
Be prepared for his bowels being unpredictable for quite a while.
Also, I had to be re admitted to hospital in the November as I had an adhesion in my bowel where the scar tissue had blocked me up.
If you want to PM me feel free.

DH had this op on left side for bowel cancer. He was 50 then.
He was in hospital for a week and off work for 6 weeks in total.
He is an engineer so he doesn't have a physically demanding job.
I'm sure he was tired.
Hope this helps.

Thanks everyone. He was looking a lot better today and is having the catheter out in the morning. He has also started eating, only soup and a dry roll but it's a start.

The sharp, stabbing pain has also gone and he thinks this is because he is now able to pass wind.

He thinks he will be back at work the week after next. So two weeks after surgery. I think that is probably a bit optimistic but time will tell.