asdfghjkimber
08-10-2008, 07:28 PM
Finally got that bad kidney taken out, due to UPJ obstruction. Had the surgery Tuesday, went home from the hospital Thursday. My only incision is at my belly button. I am still very bloated and in pain. Today was the first day I could get myself to sit up long enough to post something. It's been 5 days.
I just want to read about how other people dealt with this. Anybody have any problems after this surgery? Any lifestyle changes? How long did it take you to heal?
I'm happy to get that taken out of me. My only worries now is how my belly button is going to look, (I take a lot of pride in appearance), and I can't shake the worry of my other kidney. My doctor did tell me though that the other kidney isn't any more likely to go bad than any other normal kidney, although my other went bad.
I just want to read about how other people dealt with this. Anybody have any problems after this surgery? Any lifestyle changes? How long did it take you to heal?
I'm happy to get that taken out of me. My only worries now is how my belly button is going to look, (I take a lot of pride in appearance), and I can't shake the worry of my other kidney. My doctor did tell me though that the other kidney isn't any more likely to go bad than any other normal kidney, although my other went bad.
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greens
08-11-2008, 12:01 AM
Hi there just went through it myself. I got my kidney taken out because of a upj back at the beginning of July. I was up and walking the day of the surgery without much problem stopped taking pain killers about six days after surgery was driving by 10 days and was pretty much back to myself after 3 weeks. The hardest part for me was not lifting anything heavier than 10 pounds for the first 4 weeks. I still get a little sore if I do to much during the day so I take it easy and make sure I take breaks during the day. My life is back to normal and actually better than it was before the surgery, I am no longer in pain from the kidney and feel great. Hope you heal up fast.
Here a thread I started a while ago and has some good info
http://www.healthboards.com/boards/showthread.php?t=576751
Here a thread I started a while ago and has some good info
http://www.healthboards.com/boards/showthread.php?t=576751
asdfghjkimber
08-11-2008, 02:12 PM
Wow, you got better much faster than I am. Tomorrow will be officially a week after I got it taken out. I'm able to get up and move around alright and finally had a shower yesterday. I'm worried though because school starts in a week from tomorrow.. I'm hoping that I will be up to getting up at 6:00 and walking around all day. My pillow still hasn't left my tummy since surgery. And I still need help to get up from the couch and I slouch when I walk. My stomach is still bloated and big looking.
I ended up taking 3 laxative pills on the Friday after surgery because I hadn't been able to go. They worked well though but I've now just been having frequent diarrhea. Better than nothing I guess. I normally don't go or pass gas often though so maybe that's why I'm still bloated.
I ended up taking 3 laxative pills on the Friday after surgery because I hadn't been able to go. They worked well though but I've now just been having frequent diarrhea. Better than nothing I guess. I normally don't go or pass gas often though so maybe that's why I'm still bloated.
greens
08-11-2008, 08:12 PM
Everyone heals at a different rate and your removal was done differently than mine. I have three incision site one about 3 inches from my belly button that is about 1/2 inch long another about 3 inches from that just above my waist line that is about 1 inch and a 3 inch incision site under my rib cage where they took the kidney out.
The best thing you can do is get up and go for walks, even if it is just 5 minutes at a time, it will help you a lot physically and mentally. When I first got home I would go for a walk every four hours just down the block and back and gradually increased it until I was walking the whole block by the end of the first week, it is so important to keep moving. I also had a nap every afternoon for about 30 minutes to keep the energy up. I still find I get fatigued during the day and need to take a break.
The best thing you can do is get up and go for walks, even if it is just 5 minutes at a time, it will help you a lot physically and mentally. When I first got home I would go for a walk every four hours just down the block and back and gradually increased it until I was walking the whole block by the end of the first week, it is so important to keep moving. I also had a nap every afternoon for about 30 minutes to keep the energy up. I still find I get fatigued during the day and need to take a break.
asdfghjkimber
08-11-2008, 10:40 PM
See that worries me now because I feel like I've been doing it all wrong. The only walking I do is to go to the bathroom or to get something to drink. I haven't even gone outside or anything, I just stay in my pajamas all day with a pillow held to my stomach. Also when I walk I am all crunched over and I can't straighten my back because it doesn't feel good to do that. I can't really see myself walking down the sidewalk crunched over taking 2-inch steps.. Should I tough it up and start doing things anyway? I've gotten so moody lately because I've been stuck on the couch doing nothing but watching TV. Today was the first day I got a couple friends to come see me for five minutes. I haven't seen my boyfriend since after the surgery on Tuesday, and a little while ago I called him desperate for him to come over, he might. I'm not used to this and I feel like I'm recovering too slow.
greens
08-11-2008, 11:31 PM
There comes a point where you just need to suck it up and work through the pain. The longer you wait to start moving the harder it will be when you start. If you think you can't walk down the block then walk to your front door and stand outside it and get some fresh air, then next time walk to your driveway, next walk to the end of your driveway, then to the sidewalk you get the idea. I know it hurts but just walking to the front door is better than nothing and it will be easier for you if you take it in baby steps. I also wore loose shorts and t-shirts all the time you can sleep in them and if you make it outside to walk you can go and not be worried about being in pj's. Also do not over do it you do not want to hurt yourself you need to find a balance, but you need to get moving. good luck
asdfghjkimber
08-12-2008, 06:17 PM
Today and yesterday I've been trying to get up a lot and do things. I'm already noticing that I'm not currently that bad off. I actually just took a shower by myself a few minutes ago with nobody to help me and stuff. However this morning I noticed my bellybutton (where my incision was) is leaking reddish fluid... I guess that is normal though and it is just healing? It also itches but I only scratch around it. Really the only other thing that is stopping me from really doing much now is I still stay scrunched over when I walk and my back hurts very bad. I just can't keep it straight though because of my tummy.
greens
08-15-2008, 10:42 PM
If you are still leaking this reddish fluid I would go see your doctor just to be on the safe side. I do not recall leaking anything from my incisions. Keep trying to straighten out I know it is tuff but just keep trying and it will get easier.
asdfghjkimber
08-16-2008, 04:24 PM
Well today I got out and got my hair done and now I am at my boyfriend's. I was doing a lot of standing around outside and walking and I started to get really fatigued and now I'm sitting inside on the couch exhausted. The fluid coming out of my belly button is pure blood now.. But my incision has healed a lot. My mom has dealt with incisions and infections several times with my dad (he nearly lost his leg a few years ago and still gets bad sores that leak fluid..) and she thinks that it is normal for there to be drainage. It isn't constant bleeding, sometimes it is worse than others. I'm glad to finally get out today, I've been kept at home until now because my mom is worried about me. But if I don't get used to being up and around it's going to be impossible to go to school for a 7 hour day on Tuesday.