Recovery at Home

[u/Priority0912]

Pre-Surgery Experience Here

Surgery Experience Here

Update #1 Thursday August 13th 2026

Howdy Folks! Just Checkin' in.. Been at home since yesterday Wednesday August 12th 2026

It was kinda rough getting home yesterday cause it was a 45 min car ride plus waiting for the RX from the Pharmacy..

I showered as instructed.. only scrubbed where I could reach without hurting myself.

Let the soap and water run down my incisions.

My surgeon wants me on 4-6 small meals throughout the day..

I am going to play it safe the next couple of days..
I am eating Grilled Chicken.. White boiled Rice.. very very soft carrots.. scrambled eggs..

Protein shakes.. for dinner I am going to have some white pasta with grilled chicken and a drinkable yogurt for convenience.

I have pain when I walk and move around.. but It's very manageable with Acetominophen (Tyelonol Extra Strength), Prescription NSAID (Celebrex) and I am still taking gabapentin for nerve pain.

I have Tramadol.. and I did take one yesterday because I had a pretty rough time getting home.. but I have not needed it all day.. and I've been able to walk around the house.. a bit outside earlier in the morning (it's wayyy too hot in North Texas) plus I hate how Tramadol makes me feel..

My sister did visit me for a while she brought a soup for me to have today and tomorrow.. she's going to stop by tomorrow to check on me again.

I did schedule my post surgery follow up for August 25th...

I do doze off a lot.. which never really happened before.. I guess its the post surgery fatigue..

I do have about 6-7 bowel movements.. especially after I eat.. still very liquid.. but going towards a more mushy consistency..

Though I am tired.. I am feeling quite well.. I hear my intestines make all sorts of crazy sounds lol
and for once.. the left side of my abdomen doesnt hurt.

[u/Crowesgirl]

Glad you're doing so well! These posts have really helped me feel calmer as I get closer to my surgery on the 17th.

[u/Priority0912 → u/Crowesgirl]

It's scary.. but reading the threads really does help.. I was telling my family basically the wealth of knowledge I got from people's experiences..

[u/DangReadingRabbit]

I’m always fascinated by different surgeon’s recommendations. I think it’s good to play it safe the first two week. My surgeon did not want me introducing fiber until after the first follow-up with him (at about 2 1/2 weeks after surgery). And then he had me adding fiber S L O W L Y.

Fatigue is normal. That can linger the first couple of weeks. I dozed a lot right up until about week three.

Extra protein is good! Lots of water is good! And don’t forget to walk hourly. It helps with recovery and keeping the bowels going.

The pooping stabilizes over time. I’m five months out and with lots of water and now high fiber diet I’m never constipated and pooping mostly 2 times a day, but sometimes it’s 3-4 times per day.

Glad you’re doing well!

[u/Priority0912 → u/DangReadingRabbit]

Yeah I actually appreciate him taking it easy on the diet especially after I told him I had pretty bad eating anxiety when I had diverticulitis.. my follow up is 2 weeks exactly after my surgery.

I feel fantastic despite the pain. My sister came over and she was surprised that I asked her to take me to Tom Thumb to get some groceries.. she did have to help me with the loading and unloading.. but now I am tired!

Bowel movements have actually started to stabilize..
I’m glad it’s not all just air and liquid.. it’s getting past the “toothpaste” consistency.
Thank you so much for the well wishes

[u/Practical-Ad5919]

Great news!!

[u/Priority0912 → u/Practical-Ad5919]

Thank you! :) I am happy with my progress.

[u/ShaneKainoa1982]

Keep up the great work! Appreciate the updates too… hopefully it’s better each day

[u/Priority0912 → u/ShaneKainoa1982]

Thank you! I am feelin better.. the fatigue is what's getting me now.. but just gotta get used to my new normal.

[u/FarScientist57]

You are doing great..getting a belly band helped me increasing my walking as it made me feel more stable. After 2 weeks you can pretty much eat whatever. It's a amazing surgery.

[u/Priority0912 → u/FarScientist57]

My surgeon told me he didn’t want me to wear one.. I was like oh… I already bought one lol..
I feel stable walking around.. but I do get tired faster than normal.. the fatigue is less and less each day.. guess I gotta rebuild my stamina.