Recovery time & Why?

Mom2,
This is a huge surgery that changes your organs around, your whole digestive tract and a lot of its functions plus things are being moved and shifted around in there...so 1, your pouch needs to heal and scar in. That means little or no sitting for a while, loads of rest for the healing process to happen and for the swelling to go down in there and trust me, it is very swollen in there...you need to be nice to your body for quite a while. 2, your digestive system is going to take quite a while to assume its new responsibility meaning learn to absorb water through the pouch, thicken up the stool etc...you are going to need time to learn how to eat, what to eat and what to drink (a lot!!)...and you may be very tired for quite a while with a strong risk of dehydration...meaning fuzziness and tiredness...
Also, NO pushing, pulling, lifting, bending, stretching, twisting etc for quite a while (this from the woman who was on the stairmaster 6 weeks post op...6 hernias later, I have learned my lessons!!!)...So, yes...if you have an at home computer business that doesn't take too much consentration then go right ahead but beware and take it slowly...
And good luck...if you have a hubby, make sure that he is doing the grocery shopping and putting things away..if you don't then make sure that you have some nice friends and family around for the first few weeks...
Good luck
Sharon

The human body is crazy good at adaptation, but it takes time. Your pouch is created from tissue that was never meant to do the job that is being asked of it. It will, in time, adapt to its new role but the key word there is time.

That being said, you should be able to manage a few hours here and there after 3 weeks, depending on what you're doing.

For me, step 1 was much harder to recover from than 2/3

I am recovering from the third surgery. I am 3 weeks out. I was too sick for dr.remzi to do it in 2 steps if you are I would say rest and do not over do it!! I'm 23 and the 2nd surgery kicked my butt I dropped 25lbs and it was terrible. I would take the time to recover!

I imagine you can work from home. I went back to my job at 3 weeks after each surgery. I think the time frame he gave you, 3-4 months is his schedule for the next surgery? If you feel up to work, go for it. I found work to be a great distraction during the recovery periods.

Sue

Thanks everyone. I'll just see how it goes. It's encouraging that many of you had a decent recovery.

I didn't work at all after the temporary ostomy was put in: I had way too many problems with breaking seals and skin breakdown.

I took about a month off after my takedown was performed. For me getting over the pain was a matter of a just two weeks. Getting to the point where you feel comfortable may be the 3-4 months he was talking about. I'm one month and a week out and I'm not comfortable yet, but I cannot afford to continue to not work.

I'm back at work, honestly I would like more time, its tough if your job demands your attention at specific times like mine does (substitute teacher) its very difficult to step away sometimes without seeming like you are abdicating your responsibilities. It basically means I have to explain to my co-workers what I'm going through so they understand. And I have to do that every day I work because I'm at a different place every day.

I had my colon and rectum removed March 5th. I too thought I would be out 2-3 weeks. LOL. I don't think I was off the Oxycodone for six weeks. I had an abscess that had to be drained. That was the worst pain next to an exposed tooth root. I still haven't returned to work. That's six months! I am just now getting strong enough to brave the hot summer temps. Dehydration is no joke. My body was acclimated to very little water due to my job.

I had a leak that finally healed on its own. Take down is scheduled for Sept 28th.

This is a MAJOR surgery. Do not take it lightly. I do not mean to alarm you but it kicked my butt. I was 37 years old and climb telephone poles for a living. Be ready to lay in bed for at least a month.