They tell me keeping healthy people in the hospital is insurance fraud :)
OK, some practical advice for reversal candidates that I have learned through this ordeal:
The most important thing you can do during your time with the bag is pelvic floor exercises. That will really help afterward in that you will have kept your anal sphincter muscles in shape and will not be in a position to have an accident if you are more than say a few steps from the bathroom. I saw yesterday that while it was frequent, it was never an emergency, more like "Again? Sigh".
I have been told by the surgical team that while initially frequent (more than 10) bowel movements a day is normal for post-surgical recovery, it should not be a permanent situation. If it persists, it can be a sign of some underlying infection and you should call your doctor. Assuming healthy tissue was reconnected, 2-3 times a day is normal, maybe less if you are lucky.
FOLLOW YOUR LOW FIBER DIET. You'll be on one after surgery. Follow it. It helps in recovery and healing.
The more you move around, the better and more quickly you'll feel better. GET UP AND WALK! I was up and down the halls here even before the NG Tube was out. Yeah, I know it feels weird walking with the catheter. Deal with it. You'll be grateful afterwards.
Don't be afraid of pain medication during your recovery. It's going to hurt like heck when you cough. The thing is you need to clear your lungs to prevent pneumonia. The meds help with this. I was rather liberal asking for morphine in the days following. I am not going home a raving junkie looking for my next fix of smack. I am also not stuck here with secondary lung issues.
The compression bandage helps prevent hernias. It is not foolproof. Don't be stupid in your movements, be gentle and conservative in your movement.
Jello is your friend. Get to like it, you'll be eating a lot of it in the first few days.
I am a Type 1 Diabetic. The food they will feed you is not going to be good for your blood glucose level. Hospitals have no idea what is good for us. It is what it is. Just make sure you are getting enough insulin.
Now, on a more personal level. Boredom is a mind killer. It's not conducive to healing. Like to read? Now is the time to catch up. Bring things to read or watch.
Be nice to your nurses. They have a hard job and a lot of patients are not pleasant. A little kindness and decency will go a long way when you really do need them. When you push that call button with every little ache, moan, and complaint, word gets around.
This one is going to sound silly. Do you own a Nannycam? Get one. Taking a look at home every now and then really helped me to keep my spirits up. I could check in on my new puppy. Mine has a speaker so I could even talk to him. I think it made him happy. I know it did for me.
