This is all so new & scary!

[Redwiner]

Hi everyone! I'm Jill. As I'm preparing for my LAR on Tuesday 2-16-16, I'm finding out that this surgery is not just another arthroscopic gallbladder or appendix surgery! It's kinda a big deal! So much to learn, absorb, comprehend & digest. I'm heading into this with a very positive attitude (on the outside) but realizing after sifting through so many posts here that recovery can be really rough. I've had several surgeries over the years & each have had their little complications & long term effects. I really have no idea what to honestly expect post-op and for the weeks/months ahead. What helped... What didn't? What are the long term effects of the LAR? Fecal leakage sounds simply awful! Is this common? Walking is key I hear but I need more than that! All suggestions / comments welcome! Thx from the nubie!

[Lee]

Hi Jill and welcome. Sorry for the reason you are here, butt you have found a wonderful site for information and support.

Do you have rectal or colon cancer?

Yes walking those halls is the best thing you can do for yourself following your surgery. Be sure to bring a long light bathrobe (easy to get in and out of) and a good pair of slippers for walking those halls. Ipod if you have one, computer.

Regarding your surgery, take it one day at a time. Are you having a lapro or will you be cut open? Lapro is a faster easier recovery. Not everyone has problems recover wise. I was cut open and had little recovery problems.

Good luck today with your prepping. Let us know how your are doing when your surgery is over. Again welcome,

Lee

[O Stoma Mia]

... Walking is key I hear but I need more than that! All suggestions / comments welcome! ...

I've said this before in other places, but I'll say it again: After LAR surgery you should wear an abdominal binder to keep from damaging the LAR incision site. (They also have models to use with stoma bags in case you are going to have an ileostomy.)

Also, although you need to walk, you also need to be very careful about how you get out of bed and how you get back into bed because the torque pressure on the abdomen caused by turning and twisting to try to get out of bed can loosen up the incision site and take it longer to heal. So, when getting out of bed while in the hospital you should ask for the help of two nurses so that you do not put excessive strain on your abdominal muscles while making the movement.

In addition, you should not cough or sneeze violently, since this action can produce excessive pressure in the abdomen that can loosen the healing suture and cause an incisional hernia. Also, you should not laugh uncontrollably, like watching a very funny video, because strong laughing can do the same thing... And don't expect to drive a car for a good two or three weeks, because if you have to suddenly slam on the brakes while driving, this abrupt movement could cause damage to your LAR incision.

You haven't said whether you have a tumor, and if so, where it is located. If the LAR is for the purpose of removing a tumor along with the adjacent lymph nodes, then it would help if you could create a Signature to inform other users where your tumor is located and what your situation is:

Create a SIgnature:
http://coloncancersupport.colonclub.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=52681&p=414489#p421597

[Redwiner]

Thank you Lee & O Stoma Mia! Abdominal binder sounds like a must! After my open hysterectomy, it was very helpful! I have rectal CA. It was a small polyp and they don't believe it has spread. Will know more after the surgery. I know... One day at a time. Every situation & surgery is different. Doing the prep now. Geez this stuff tastes so damn awful! Thanks again!

[Sams wife]

Lots of protien for healing!

[Redwiner]

Thank you Sams wife for the protein tip!

[Badass]

Hi Redwiner,

Wishing you smooth sailing in surgery. There is so much to say about LAR consequences that I recommend using search terms to pull up threads on this forum related to each phase or your recovery. Diet, ileostomy care, ileostomy reversal, bowel movement routines, etc. It can all seem overwhelming. I recommend taking it one step at a time. What was a hitch for one person, may go easily for you. It is wonderful that this surgery is available and with your early stage, will likely stop your cancer in its tracks. Keep us posted on YOUR experience!

Jane

[JudeD59]

One thing that you may find is that you have a lack of appetite for quite a long time after surgery. It helps to try to eat smaller meals and snacks throughout the day instead of three large meals, at least that's what helped me. It wasn't that I was nauseated or anything, I just had no desire to put food in my mouth. So I tried to eat a couple of pieces of sharp cheese, then a few crackers with peanut butter an hour or two later, a fruit cup an hour or so after that, etc.

Judy

[Pathfindergrl28]

Hi redwiner, may I ask what type of polyp did you have, and what was the size? How old are you? I hope your surgery goes well, & you have a fast, quick recovery! Prayers...

[Andrea1976]

Hope your surgery went well!!! I have my scheduled for 2/29. I have decided to go ahead and do it.

My polyp was Pedunculate on colon. Colorectal surgeon said I have very small % of having "bag" and will not have LAR syndrome due to location.

My CEA was 0.3.

Should know Lynch test result next 2 weeks. Found out my insurance covers all but $375.

[Redwiner]

Well my surgery took 6 hours due to scar tissue in my belly. Still have tubes & drains. No ileostomy thank goodness! Pain meds & walking. I'm not progressing as quickly as doc would like so here I stay for now. Full liquid diet. Appetite not great but I can stand to drop a few lbs! My polyp was pedunculate in the rectum. It was less than a cm in diameter. Waiting on pathology to see if it had spread. I'm 50, so all of this just came as a shock! I had no symptoms. Everything happens for a reason! Thanks to everyone for sharing their stories & experiences with this surgery. It's all helped!

[Sams wife]

Congratulations. Get some rest while you can.
I just wanted to throw the protein in there so you would see it before surgery. I saw it on here at least 50 times but a month after hubby's surgery I had already forgotten, dealing with everything else.