Small bowel resection: What is short & long term recovery like?

I have done what you plan to do. That was 3 years ago and I was 60 years old. Small bowel resection, several lymph nodes removed. I had a small leak, possibly a suture. Therefore I was on TPN for a month after surgery for that to heal. Not an easy recovery. You will need help. Hard to predict for how long.

I’ve had 2 small bowel resections with debulking of metastatic tumors to mesentery, peritoneum, lymph nodes ileocecal valve, abdominal walls, liver resection, removal of appendix, lower colon & gallbladder. Not going to lie, it was painful, had 44 staples to close incision. I was (62) in good health/shape prior to surgery but still was exhausted. Stayed in bed for 2 wks only getting up to use bathroom for frequent trips. After that I got up & started slowly walking around house & that helped tremendously. I had a hard time eating, no appetite, so I started drinking premier protein shakes (30g protein), jello, applesauce, rotisserie chicken, soups, broths, etc. By 3 wks I had more energy & felt better. Dr didn’t allow me to drive for a month; used a shower chair for bathing with help. Decreased my pain pills a week after surgery, switched to using Tylenol, ibuprofen & pain pills at night. Definitely wear a belly binder for support. I also used a small pillow over my abdomen when getting up. I wore baggie, long t-shirts as I couldn’t stand anything touching my incision. You will definitely need help for a couple weeks; see if the hospital has social services available that can assist with your needs. My surgery was in Oct & by Dec I was moving & getting around good, taking short walks outside. I wish you the best!

@taly, I hope you saw the helpful replies from @fraaseo and @jlsgt. When are you scheduled to have surgery?

@colleenyoung Thanks, colleen. I did and I guess I got distracted then not realizing I hadn't replied. I appreciate both of you sharing your story and admire your spirit. This kind of information is really helpful to me, though I haven't figured out what I'm going to do.

I'm on Medicare. I suppose under certain circumstances they would pay for a skilled nursing facility. But I've heard that would be unusual with this kind of surgery. It would be immensely helpful to have that buffer. I don't think I'll know if that is possible until surgery time, which, at this time, is Sept. 30. I need to have a clearance before then, which I hope can go smoothly for a timely and uncomplicated surgery. Thanks again!

I live alone as well and surgery at the beginning of all of this to remove a tumor blocking my small intestine. After surgery had to be very careful of what i ate. Pain was tolerable but everyone has a different threshold with that. Was up walking a day after the surgery.

@thunderdad5 Thanks so much! This is very encouraging. Did you have someone with you helping care for you the first days or weeks after discharge? Were you able to make your own food, etc.?
I'm kind of needing pain mgmt to not include opioids which suppress respiration. I have a problem with nighttime hypoxemia already, so I'm hoping to avoid opiates, especially once I leave the hospital when I won't have the same kind of oversight.
I saw my pulmonologist again yesterday. I live in the mountains. He indicated I would heal significantly better if I could stay in Phx a while after discharge from the Mayo Hospital. I'm trying to look at what options they might have there for someone on a limited income.
It would be really helpful if I can take care of myself after discharge and not need someone to stay with me. It sounds like maybe that was the case with you?

No, didn't have anyone to help me. On top of everything, lost my wife 2 years ago. Just bought allot of food that was very easy to prepare. Gotta be careful what you eat initially. Worst part of the whole think is i had to have one of those tubes down my nose. Not painful, but uncomfortable. Just took it slow. Things got a little easier each day.

@thunderdad5 I'm so sorry to hear you lost your wife. I wish you didn't have this to deal with on top of your loss.

Did the NG tube get placed initially, or was it something they found you needed after discharge? It sounds like you are almost back to normal at this point? I'm glad you're doing so well!

In my case, the SB NET is at the ileocecal valve between large and small intestines which keeps food from running straight through. The valve will have to be removed along with about 8 " of intestine and mesentery and nodes. I'll have to get a good idea of what foods are possible to eat in the early days. I hear, after that, it's a good idea to add in new foods to try, one at a time.

Thanks, really appreciate it. The ng tube was put in before surgery. They told me this type of surgery you have to have one. They took it out 2-3 days post surgery. I had part of my small intestine removed but I beleive mine was higher up than yours. I was told there was a possibility of needing a ostomy bag depending on what they found, luckily i didn't need it, although it would have been reversed at some point of i did. They tell you all the possibilities beforehand. Yes, you definitely try new foods one at a time when you're cleared to go back to your normal diet. Initially, i had a very specific diet of foods i was allowed. Had to be soft and very easily digestible.

@taly , just looked it up. Mine was after the stomach in the small intestine. That's how I found out it had the cancer. I went to the er with what I thought was a bad stomach bug. That how they found the blockage