Mike,
Thanks for including the link from Cleaveland Clinic on the diversions; thought it was very good info. except for the idea that recovery is 1 - 2 months...I would add, that is the case if everything goes well. We know all too often that life doesn't always go as planned, and we are all different and won't know how well we will recover until we get there.
My surgeon told me "tell your boss you will be gone 6 weeks and that way if you are back in 4, you'll look like a hero". (got the Indy pouch) Well, I had read enough on the forum so I knew NOT to tie myself to any timeframe. I had read somewhere to allow one month for every hour of surgery and that proved true for me. I was in surgery 7 hrs...had my surgery in late July 07 and went back to work mid Feb. of 08. I have to add, however, if I had not also gone through chemo prior to the surgery, I think I could have returned to work at the end of three months but the chemo I had just prior to surgery messed with my brain so I delayed my return.
Larry, I know you are anxious to be able to return to work as soon as able, following your surgery but would caution you to take it slow on the lifting and hard, physical work. I think the guys will agree with me. Don't expect too much from yourself. I think this surgery takes alot out of most folks, no matter which diversion you choose and the healing process simply takes time and patience. If you try to rush the recovery period, you might find yourself with complications and we sure don't want that to happen. Melodie
