Posted , 52 users are following.
Hi Guys
I heard back from the Heptobiliary surgeon today
I am having my hepaticojejunostomy next tuesday sept 6th at University of Chicago.
I am nervous..but hopeful that this long nightmare of sickness and pain Might be coming to an end soon.I know it will be a hard recovery..But anything is better than nausea,fatigue daily.
2 likes, 217 replies
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peita1234 debra1711
Posted
Hi Lex,
Good luck with your surgery, I'm sure it will all go smoothly. Try not to stress too much, but I know it is hard. I just tried to remind myself of how lucky I was that it was found, before it possibly turned. Even though the surgery scared me, it had to be done. Unfortunately my surgery turned out to be a bit more complicated than expected and instead of the anticipated 2-2.5 hours, it went for 8 hours. Being young will also stand by you. Mine was only found in Sept this year and I'm 42. I was in hospital for around 10 days, but my surgeon said to expect 2 weeks with a 4-6 week recovery at home. My mother in law luckily came to stay with us to help my husband with our 4 children, and my parents are only 5 minutes away but my father is going through chemo for pancreatic cancer, so my mum has her hands full at the moment!
It takes a good few weeks to start to feel like yourself again, so make sure you give yourself time, and just rest and take it easy. Best of luck to you. x
lex42968 peita1234
Posted
thank you so much for sharing! you and your family will be in my prayers and hope you father fights through this. i know cancer is tough especially when its a loved one
avery197 debra1711
Posted
Hello fellow folks with choledochal cysts. I'm having the surgery mid December and am appreciative to have found others who have described what it's like to experience this surgery first-hand. My cyst was found incidentally when I had a CT for something unrelated. I guess I'm glad it was found, but, jeez, I'm not looking forward to what seems like a lot of suffering. On a side note, it's interesting that several people have SLE and this condition on this forum. Is that chance (one in a bajillion??) or might these two conditions be related? Please keep posting! For people who are many years out from the surgery, how are things? Any more incredibly loud stomach sounds? I'm a mental health therapist and am wondering how that will play out given that silence is a pretty important part of my job.
Kredfan avery197
Posted
you got this! 2 years for me. found on accident as well. 2 years later, incredibly very very loud stomache growling for me no matter what. annoying but better than leaving it in there! I was in hospital 5 days, and back to work by week 3. all my best❤
kristin84900 avery197
Posted
@avery197 what is SLE?
avery197 kristin84900
Posted
It's lupus, kristin.
avery197 Kredfan
Posted
Kredfan, that was a quick recovery. Laparoscopic or open procedure? And thank you for the encouragement.
Kredfan avery197
Posted
cut wide open.
avery197 debra1711
Posted
Has anyone had trouble with adhesions or small bowel obstruction post surgery?
kristin84900 avery197
Posted
No, but I had a stricture that they talked about opening up with a stent. It must have resolved itself because they never mentioned it again. I believe its why I had 'bathroom issues' for so long.
robert_44740 avery197
Posted
Yes, a week after my surgery I had a obstruction .
avery197 robert_44740
Posted
May I ask if it was resolved? Or do you continue to have problems?
robert_44740 avery197
Posted
To be honest, after the second surgery I haven't felt the same . Since they opened me up twice I now have a hernia. The second surgery did so much damage to me in my opinion .
imelda1986 robert_44740
Posted
No I didn't have any issues with bowel movement etc. Are you drinking enough water or eat enough fibre? Maybe speak to your surgeon or a dietician?
My only issue is that my stomach is still swollen 13 weeks post op where the incision was and that my stomach is bloated once I start eating.
It looks fine in the morning but once I eat something it keeps growing 😢 doesn't matter what I eat. And it looks like I am pregnant and is so annoying to look at!
lex42968 debra1711
Posted
Hey everyone, tomorrow is my big day to get this surgery over with. My pre-op today went well and meeting with the surgeon again today with my husband was comforting. He told us both that I'll do really well, especially since i'm young. I'm just still a bit nervous, especially with the thought of this surgery lasting 5 hours.... that already feels like a long time to me. I will post again during my recovery at home and when I go for my follow up appointment.