Hi @james8117, those are good questions to be asking as you prepare for surgery of your small intestine. @hopeful33250 @kathryncd @smart1 @harley4650 might have relevant experiences to share to help you know what to expect.

James, do you know if laparascopic surgery is an option for you?

Hello @james8117

I'm glad that you will be having your surgery soon. Surgery is usually the first treatment in dealing with carcinoids. I have had three surgeries of the upper digestive tract (duodenal bulb) however, I only had a resection so there was not much of the digestive tract that was removed. My incision was from the breastbone to the navel.

I spent about 6 days in the hospital with a NG tube. Was an NG tube mentioned as part of your post-surgery treatment? During the time when the NG tube was in, I had no food, just the IV and some ice chips. Around the 4th or 5th day when the tube was removed, I had a liquid diet and then soft foods.

For pain control, post-surgery, I had an Epidural and that controlled the pain. Once I was released from the hospital I had a script for a pain med, but I got along with just extra strength Tylenol.

Since I was in the hospital about 6 days I went home without help, however, my daughter and friends from church checked in on me and brought food (not all of their food was appropriate for my type of surgery). Plan to eat soft foods post-surgery for a week at least.

As my surgery was different from the one you will be having, your experiences will probably be different. Do you have any other questions?

Hello @james8117

Just a note to wish you well as you are on the road to recovery from surgery. I hope that all went well and that you have all of the support and help that you need during your recuperation.

When you feel up to it, will you let me know how you are doing?