Rectal stump removal

After many abcesses in the rectum i have now been told that its highly likely i will have to have the stump removed early 2010. i have had an illeostomy since 95 where i then have a reversal which unfortunately didnt work, i had my stoma back again in 98 and on and off have had abcesses appear in the rectum ever since.

i was wondering if anyone out there had had this procedure done after having a bag (not altogether as i have found in the past) and if they could tell me what to expect, pain, healing. i am very worried as ive been told 10 days in hospital then another 6mths recovery, also in the past i havent had a good heal rate for the skin to close over and i am panicking now that i will be left with a huge hole!!! any info would be appreciated xx.

Hi Lynes,

Welcome to healing well, I also post on the ostomy board since I have recently become an ostomate myself, but drop by here too cause I have suffered many years of crohns/colitis. I'm guessing since you posted here that you too have crohns.

I have an ileostomy that was done in early march this year and on july 30 i had to have my rectal stump removed as I has severe crohns/colitis there as well. I was only in hospital for that surgery for only 4 days and I am still recovering and healing and I wont lie to you it did hurt but I am now feeling much better and am glad to have had it done. I dont have a huge hole there but I do have a small one that apparently is healing from the inside to outside, there is still small amounts of blood but nothing for me to worry about. I promise there is no need for panic over this op, like all surgeries they arent pleasant but its for the best. If you have any more questions about this dont hesitate to ask away, but if its to do with your ostomy perhaps it would be best to post questions on that forum since you will then get many more replies there. Hope it all goes well for you. Keep us posted. Take care

Look on the bright side lynes once u have recovered from that surgery there will be no more pain or abcess in that area. good luck, and let me know how the biopsy results go

Thanks for the replies everyone good to have support and understanding. WELL where do i start................... my biopsy came back monday and i was called into the hosp yesterday, i have cancer!
i have to wait ten days or so for an apt to come through for scans to see how far its spread and where it is, then the results take a day or so then another few days to see doc again! feel like my world is upside down not knowing how bad i am whether ill see my kids grow up or not. they said i have to have chemo and radio straight away, and then they will be removing the rectum, unfortunately due to the extent i have to lose some buttock too so have to be sent to a specialist hosp for reconstructive surgery. anyone out there had this or know anyone. please let me know as i am being sick with worry and only managed 3hrs sleep last night.

Sorry to hear this news. the cancer is the bigger issue. Here are my responses to the other stuff.
I had the stump removed around 05 it is easier than the illeostomy surgery, however there will be other procedures and perhaps scars from whatever needs to be done to eliminate the abscess problems so this might take longer than just the stump removal healing time.
Suggest Fairfax Colon and Rectal Surgery PC Fairfax Virginia. After the removal they know the reconstructive people. I did not have the reconstruction yet. Im back in NY.
One of the concerns is sequence... should the stump and abscess surgery and problems be addressed, completely,.. before the chemo....done concurrently with the chemo... or after as you indicate.