Postby Mikey724 » Wed May 31, 2017 9:56 pm
So glad to find this forum!!!! My name is Mike, 34yo male. I had sigmoid colectomy done 5/23/17. Here's my battle with it, hope it helps...
I had my very first diverticulitis flare up 3/28/17. I was admitted and treated with IV antibiotics for 3 days. I was on clear liquid diet while admitted. I was released after pain subsided and, although watery, BM functions seemed fine. Two weeks ago, I started having the same initial pain on my lower left side from 3/2017. Went to ER and CT scan done. It revealed another perforation and this time an abscess in the sigmoid.
I was admitted and the doctor came and saw me the next day. The doctors suggested removing the affected portion of my colon(about 12in). I am in good general health with no other current medical problems. With that, he felt confident removing the affected part of the colon. One thing that did make me a bit nervous was that he said he wouldn't know until he was in there, if I would need a temporary colostomy. I was pretty scared and nervous. Thank the Lord, the surgeon was able to remove the affected part without a colostomy.
Woke up from surgery with a catheter in. I also had a Jackson Pratt drian(JP) attached to my right side where an incision site was draining(*Sidenote, they removed the JP 3 days after surgery and it was a little painful when removed. That site is still sore today (5/31/17)The pain was mostly on my right side and the incision up the middle of my belly. I only had ice chips after surgery. I wasn't given any liquids until day 2 post op. They needed me to pass gas or have a BM before they would advance my diet from liquid to a GI soft diet. I took a few steps a few hours after my surgery. Although it can be drag, I will say... WALK! Even if it's a few steps. Getting up and walking will help move all that CO2 gas that's in your stomach from surgery. By day 3 I was on GI soft and was able to handle a few bites of a grilled cheese, some jello and apple juice.
I tried to get up and walk at least every 2 hours. By day 4 post op I was up walking around pretty normally. Just remember to take it slow because you will get a lot more tired than usual. I was released from hospital on 3/28/17. My first night home was rough. As far as getting comfortable at night was difficult, but by night 3 at home I was getting better. Pain is pretty manageable and I'm not using pain meds as often as when I first got home. I am going to get staples removed 6/1/17.
I have this nasty "metal" taste in my mouth(after reading around, I hear it's normal and from the anesthesia and should go away eventually) My appetite has been hit and miss. I was pretty much just snacking here and there. 5/31 I made salmon and rice which I tolerated it well.
Hope this helps. It is a painful thing to deal with but with this forum, hopefully hearing from others in your situation can be helpful. If anyone has any tips or suggestions, it is greatly welcomed.