upcomin surgery

i have had crohn's for over 13 years. I have had about 10 episodes of complete blockage in the last 2 years and now realize the surgery is very necessary.There are too many strictures/scar tissue for laparoscopic surgery).

Does anyone that has gone through the surgery have any advice about pre or post op? I have never had any surgery and am feeling somewhat anxious about how long it will take me to recover and resume normal activity.

[avtmom]

Hi there!  Don't know if you've had your surgery yet or not, but...My son recently had 20% of his small bowel (intestine) removed.  He had seven strictures (really ugly).  Narrowing didn't show on any scans, scopes or x-rays...only discovered due to pill cam that got stuck.  Surgery took 4+ hours, but they were able to use laparoscopic procedure.  He was out-of-it for a day.  Walking the next day.  Off pain meds (on his own) second day post-op.  Requested food third day...would not eat jell-o or drink juice (even though he was really hungry) for two days.  Doc's finally gave okay for solids on fifth day.  All bathroom functions great on sixth day.  Home on seventh day!   100% back on normal schedule after only one week.  He has been feeling great since, about a month now.  He is happy he had the surgery.  This is the first time he has felt really good in five years...he just had his tenth birthday!   The surgery is not a cure, but (by all accounts) we have every reason to believe/hope his pain will be greatly diminished for five to ten years.  Doesn't mean other treatments stop (he is on Remicade), but perhaps now we will be ahead of the disease.  Good-luck to you.  Let me know how it goes.