Wide resection including surface bowel. How long in hosp?

[Jorobs]

Hi, I had an investigative lap in May. When I came round the consultant told me that the endo was quite bad and he didn’t do anything other than stitch me up, prescribe Zoladex and re-schedule surgery. My op has now been booked for 26th Sept. my question is - does anyone know if I will have to stay in or will I get sent home the same day? Initially the consultant thought He would need colerectal support, but after mri decided endo on bowel wasn’t deep infiltrating, just surface.

Would love to hear from anyone who has had a heavy duty excision /wide resection and any advice about about recovery and hosp stay.

Tia

[luthien]

I'm not sure about the resection, I had endo on the surface of my bowel so they did a rectal shave - i.e. just take the bit of endo off without having to cut the bowel. For that I wasn't needed to be in overnight but I stayed in as I needed strong painkillers - felt like cramps and stabbing pains - I'm so glad I did as I needed Oramorph in the middle of the night. Nurses said it's because the bowel is further back so everything has to be moved out of the way therefore it will all need to move back to normal. That was my second lap as it needed a colorectal surgeon to assist - makes sense.

Prior to that (in a separate lap) they removed endo from all over my bladder and uterus, including unsticking my bladder and bowel from my uterus. I later found that it was a stage 4. I was a day case for that as my op was first thing.

[Jorobs in reply to luthien]

Thanks Farahziya,

I’ve since found out I will be staying in for 2-4 days. I’m having a wide resection, ovaries, ligaments, side walls, ureter, Bowel and rectal tethering repair. Op approx 2-4 hours depending on state of bowel. 4-6 weeks off work. Which I’m dreading as my male director employees are not at all understanding

Thanks again for your reply x

[luthien in reply to Jorobs]

Ah that's good, but lots going on. Hope it all goes okay.

Take all the time you need recovering, really focus on yourself and your healing. It's signed off sick leave so work cannot do anything about it; if you need more time then you can go to you specialist / GP before your sick note expires to request an extension.

We sometimes forget how much has been done inside and how long things take to heal, also I didn't realise just how exhausted I'd feel.

I found male colleagues whom have a family are more understanding probably because they've been through stuff. I would just be honest, explain the severity of the operation, they may be more understanding when you're actually off post operation. Mine had flowers and chocolates sent to me!

I had 6 weeks off for a rectal shave of endo from my bowel, so you may need more than 6 just as an fyi. See how you go, but don't go back to work early, you void your sick note and then if you are ill / need more time off due to your surgery it can't be classed as post op. Plus work have to agree to your note, so if you do need more time make sure it's a direct continuation, looks better on your records and it means work knows what to plan for.

Do you have occupational health? If you're not sure talk to your HR; they will assess you post op and advise work of any amendments to your work pattern or considerations during recovery such as painful heavy periods for the first few months.

xx