by Anne37 » 02 May 2013, 14:35
I'm not an IBS sufferer, but had the same high expectations that after surgery there'd be no pain. No such luck for me. My LIS was a week ago today though, and I can say that things are getting better. I still have fissure pain and pain at the incision site during a BM and for 5-15 minutes afterwards but am seeing some slow but steady improvement. I still dread pooping and cannot imagine the day I will have to do it in public or at work (which I go back to on Monday) because I have really come to rely on the baths as a way to muster through the pain post BM. I start running the tub as soon as I get in the bathroom so that I can hop right in.
Funny story - I was so afraid of my first BM after surgery that I woke my boyfriend up that night moaning. I'd been having a dream that I was pooping and that it hurt! lol. I didn't poop the day after surgery so had to take Milk of Magnesium. The next day I pooped 5, yes FIVE, times within a 24 hour period. The first BM was completely liquid and as much as it burned, I did not care I was so relieved it wasn't bulky! lol. Each day has gotten a bit firmer, but I am still trying to figure out a balance with my stool softeners and diet. I was still going three times a day, and now have it down to two times a day but... once I get back to work that's not going to be an easy task. There's little time between when my body lets me know it's time to go and when I actually have to go. I teach and by the time I recognize the signs, call the office to have someone cover my classroom, wait for them to get there, and walk (run) to the bathroom I think I'm going to have poop myself in the hallway or even worse in front of my class! Explain that one to 2nd graders! lol. At least I'm at a point where I can laugh a little bit about it all.
Anyways, although not fully healed, to answer your questions:
1. I gave myself 10 days off work, but haven't gone back yet so can't say whether that's an adequate amount of time. If it weren't an issue of not being able to use the restroom whenever I want though, I'd have gone back today. If I could just time it to happen first thing in the morning (which it usually does) and that be the only time I go each day!
2. Yesterday, 6 days after surgery, was the first day I drove, walked my dog, or did any light chores. Driving hurt a bit, so today I used a pillow and made sure it was a shorter distance.
3&4. My doctor's orders were not exercise for 2 weeks, and even then I have to stick to just walking for 2 more weeks. He said not to get back into my gym routine for 6 weeks. I miss yoga and cycling! For a while I never thought my butt would touch my bike seat again!
5. I haven't eaten out yet because I've gotten so anal about tracking my fiber. I've also gotten picky about what I eat, so eating out isn't as appealing to me as it used to be. Am I the only one that can't enjoy food anymore because with every bite I take I can't help but think "this might taste good, but it's going to hurt coming back out." Ugh! When does THAT feeling go away?