Got my surgery date for my hepaticojejunostomy

I am glad to hear that your surgery went well! The hospital stay truly is the worst part (in my opinion). Once you are home you are able to get more comfortable. I found that using a cane for the first couple of days helped me stand up straight. I had my surgery around this time in January and I would say that while by March I was physically able to move around pretty normally, the surgery did psychologically take a toll on me. Being out of work all that time and not being able to do everything for myself was difficult. My dr told me that I might not feel like myself for a while, and he was correct. So keep that in mind if for some reason you feel off.

My main advice would be to not push yourself too hard, but to make sure you do walk and move around and follow whatever discharge orders you doctor gave you. Feel better and if you need anything please do not be afraid to ask. 

I had my surgery done April 16th. I had a complication and had to go back a week later to have a second surgery. But I feel like I'm getting some what better. Still some soreness around the incesion. I'm eating better and gained some weight. I noticed if I take any supplements it hurts my stomach. Bowel movements are back to normal pretty much. How are you doing?

I had many complications and ended up staying in the hospital for 30 days and being sent home on IV nutrition for a couple of weeks.  I am now recovered and no longer under doctor's care.   My stomach still feels weird, like I always have a little stomach ache, and I have difficulty digesting certain foods such as beef.  Despite not eating a lot of food, I feel like I use the bathroom a lot.  

I am sorry to hear about your complications but am glad to hear you are doing better. 

My surgery was January 15, 2018. I lost 25 lbs after and have still not put the weight back on. I have some issues with food and bowel movements. I am constantly constipated and bloated. Red meats bother my stomach to no end. In terms of appetite, sometimes I feel like a bottomless pit, and others I can barely eat. I can’t really drink anymore. Two glasses of wine in one evening and I feel it.

Twice I had bouts of stomach pain that were so bad I was hospitalized. But since I went to my local hospital and not the hospital my surgeon is out of, they just gave me IV meds/ fluids and observed me overnight. By the time they got a dr who knew what the surgery I had was, I felt better.

The pain around my scar is still persistent if I don’t move constantly. I find scar massage helps a lot and highly recommend it. 

It is an ongoing recovery but overall I am better than I was before the surgery. 

Sorry to hear about the complications, seems like that might be more expected than not to have some. I went for stent placement June 11th and ended up with another blood stream infection. I still went for my surgery on the 12th but because there was so much scar tissue he did a different surgery...antrectomy with a Billroth II reconstruction. About a week after the surgery, the anastamosis between stomach and intestines swelled shut. Was in hospital 2 weeks and was readmitted once for hydration. Going back next week to get stents out and have the anastamosis stretched again.

Had zero appetite, a lot of pain from the internal swelling, and about a 20 lb weight loss over a month. But, doctor said I should be good in 3-6 months.

Where did you and anyone else have this done? Mine was at Loyola in Chicago.

I know what you mean by having a upset stomach. My stomach gets that way too. My stomach still makes that growling sound. The digesting of food is getting better. Do you get pains near your incesion?

You haven't put any weight back on since your surgery? I still have pain around my scar too.

No, not a single pound. I had to buy all new clothes. I’m not complaining (I was about 10lbs overweight before my surgery), but I’m certainly not doing anything different to try to keep the weight off. 

Mine was done at University Hospital in Newark NJ.

I hope you surgery next week goes well. You have been through a lot.

Kristin! I’m so sorry you went through that! Had mine in November. Symptoms that haven’t gone away are gurgle stomach and sometimes cramps if I eat something heavy. Keep up the good fight. Also since we’re on this subject, some days I will poop for days it feels like. Super sexy I know 😄. My weight is 121, so my weight never really changed. 

Sacred heart for me in Spokane Washington. Dr. Meija was my surgeon and amazing. I was home by day 4

Had mine done at VCU Medical in Richmond.  My surgeon was a liver specialist and had just done a hepaticojejeunostomy the week prior.  It's kind of his thing.  During one of my follow-up visits I had told him how I tried to educate myself before the surgery, and how I had found some videos of the procedure online.  I mentioned the videos were from Toronto or something.  He was like "I used to work there!!" and I believe he said he helped make the videos.  I feel confident that my guy was well qualified. As far as I understand it, my complications were due to the size of my "cyst" and its proximity to my pancreas.  Apparently my pancreas was quite irritated by the procedure. 

So yes, my stomach still gurgles and while I don't necessarily get pain around the incision, I do get pain around the drain sites.  (I had 2 BTW due to my complications).  I recently did a bunch of hiking in Utah, some days the hikes were quite long and strenuous, and my stomach felt fantastic for a few days there. I am going to up the intensity at the gym and hope that helps relieve the "slight stomach ache" that I always feel. 

I'm so glad to hear that these residual symptoms are not atypical.  Glad I found this forum.  Thank  you all for sharing!! :-)  

Hi Kristen and everyone- I had my surgery September 18, 2017- I also lost about 35lbs after surgery- sure don’t miss any of it - I have probably gained 5 lbs back. I had the intense pain around my surgical area up until about 2 months ago- they decreased in intensity time in between as the months have gone by. I have not had any complications but I do still take a stool softener everyday along with probiotic and this has kept my bowel movements stable. My surgery was done in Little Rock, Arkansas by the liver transplant surgeon at UAMS- Dr Borja- he was great; I was home on day 5 and pain was well managed during recovery at the hospital and at home; (the epidural did not work). I feel better than I have in years and have no regrets having the surgery. I also cannot eat beef - if I do it has to be small amounts and very lean. Ice cream has been a “no-no” pretty much everything that has higher fat content I try to stay away from. My abdomen still feels different but I have heard that it is expected and is a long recovery even tho I feel fine. I hate to hear some of you had complications and do hope your on the mend - I have enjoyed following everyone on this site over the past 10 months! 

Dawn

hi. i has been almost 2yrs n 10 months since my surgery. 2017 has been such a roller coaster year for me. In and out of the hospital that year. last admitted to the hospital sept 2017 after that till now all is well.

2017, i lost almost 10kg. then 2018 i gain weight from 47 to 53kg as for now. Been travelling to Turkey, Saudi, London and Korea since 2018. the 1st trip after my surgery scares me. before the trip to Turkey I am so worried, keep on thinking about my health.thank god everything went well

the only problem i am having now is bloated almost everyweek. so usually i did run up and down the stairs or do brisk walking so that i burping out the air and then only i feel much better

thank you to everyone in this group for sharing your stories. after reading all your stories in 2017, i am getting stronger and happy.

I hope everyone is in good health.

Hi yati1312- Great to hear you are Stronger and happy post surgery. I have severe Bloating problem as well. I am 10 weeks post surgery. It sounds like cardio exercise is your solution to bloating. May I ask how long you do your exercise?

I too feel much better when I go for walks. At least 30 minutes a day seems to help. I think it stimulates digestion. I wonder if having out intestines messed with does something to the way they move things along, if you know what i mean 😉