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Bowel resection surgery????

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 9/29/2010 6:39 PM (GMT 0)

Could anyone give me some insight on this surgery... I am meeting with a surgen next week following a small bowel x-ray..  I am to the point with my stricture I believe that meds can't help anymore.. I have two small strictures 6cm or so long near or in my terminal ileum, pretty much can't eat anything of any real substance anymore, it gets stuck.. Lots of pain and bloating, on pred. for about 3 weeks now, no change so doc. thinks stricture has just gotten to the point of no return. Maybe time to have it out!!  Have to see for sure what the x-ray shows.  What should I expect, I am very nervous about surgery, I have 3 small children, what is the recovery like?? How long of a hospital stay is it and can they do it laporscoplly (sp?)  Thanks for any info.!!!!!

Posted 9/29/2010 7:40 PM (GMT 0)
Hi JLCat and welcome to Healingwell. Yes the surgery can be done laproscopically. In fact if you have not had any prior abdominal surgeries, you should be a good candidate for it.

I have had two resections, but both of mine were full open surgeries. With the laproscopic surgery you are usually in the hospital about 3-4 days and your recovery can be anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks. One of the best tips I can give is to walk as much as possible afterwards to help your bowels wake up and help speed your recovery. You will have some explosive diarrhea afterwards, but that usually goes away after your body has adjusted to the surgical changes. Good luck and I hope your surgery leads to a long long remission. Be sure to get back on maintenance meds afterwards so you don't have to have a repeat. Hugs!
Posted 9/30/2010 1:33 AM (GMT 0)
Hi JL

Wow. Your situation is almost a carbon copy of mine. I was on pred for several months as well as Imuran in an effort to manage the Crohns with industrial strength drugs. But no joy. My doc set me up for a resection, about 2 feet of bowel right at the terminal ileum; there was substantial damage at the site. Even the surgeon remarked about the damage to my small bowel. But, post surgery, everything is fine. It was the absolutly best thing I have ever done. Don't fear it, look forward to the relief you will experience.

Nanners is right about the post op period; the hospital had me up and walking 24 hrs after surgery, it is crucial that your bowels " wake up". I was on morphine for awhile ( 72 hrs? ) but found that I didn't need it as much as I thought I would. I was able to leave the hospital after about 5 days and although I was weak I was able to function pretty well. I was back at work about 6 weeks later but could have gone sooner except for liability issues.

I was able to wave goodbye to the prednisone and the Imuran and am now on Remicade and symptom free for the last 4 years.

Let us know what happens, good luck.
Posted 9/30/2010 2:59 PM (GMT 0)
One thing i found wonderful was to request an epidural for the pain after surgery. Had to have catheter in while on it but at least I was not running to the bathroom constantly since all you get for a while are liquids and IV's : ) Just had to have the bag with you when you walk, which was not bad.
Good Luck!!!
Posted 9/30/2010 7:00 PM (GMT 0)
Thank all for your insights!!! I am anxious to see what the xray shows monday and then what the surgen says.. I have heard that there is a possiblity that I may have diahrrea for a long time after if not forever is this true?? I do not have problems with that now hardly ever, so that sares me to..
Posted 9/30/2010 7:15 PM (GMT 0)
I had the explosive diarrhea for about 4 weeks afterwards. As I stated before, for most (not all) this explosive diarrhea only happens for a few weeks until your body adjusts to the changes. I have had 2 resections and I still suffer more with constipation than diarrhea. Good luck!
Posted 9/30/2010 7:46 PM (GMT 0)
Hi JL I had a resection of the terminal ileum last year with a fair bit of small bowel that was strictured removed as well. I had open surgery and I can honestly say a year later it was the best thing I ever did with regards to the crohns. The diarrhea after surgery was no worse that pre surgery and it settled down fairly quickly to almost normal bowel motions. My diet is less restricted and my crohns impacts less on my life.

I really hope you have a happy surgery and better quality of life for you and your family post surgery and don't be afraid to ask friends and family for help around the house in the first six weeks. It is important you don't overdo it in this period while you are healing so you have the best chance of recovery.

Laproscopic surgery is great but it is still surgery and your insides still need time to heal even if you feel OK!

All the very best luck!
lesley
Posted 9/30/2010 8:42 PM (GMT 0)
You sound like me, the months prior to my surgery. The bowel x-ray is pretty cool, make sure you ask to watch the monitor. Honestly, my open resection wasn't all that bad, out of the hospital in 5 days and minimal pain after 2 weeks post-op. My one piece of advice is to keep working or doing whatever you're currently doing until as close to your surgery date as possible; it keeps your mind occupied and anxiety low.

Good luck!
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