Balloon Dilation for Strictures

firecracker1

Regular Member

Joined : Apr 2007

Posts : 208

Posted 4/21/2010 11:38 PM (GMT 0)

I have to have a balloon dilation for strictures caused by a prior small bowel resection and caused by Crohn's. I have not been able to get ahold of my dr to find out how many days off of work I will need. I understand the procedure is little more than a colonscopy, but I think I would need more days off than for a regular scope. Anyone know how many days off are standard?

*Phoebe*

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Joined : Sep 2005

Posts : 769

Posted 4/22/2010 2:19 AM (GMT 0)

Hi firecracker, I will be interested to hear if you get a response to this one. I also have a colonoscopy coming up in the next month or two and have been told they will use a balloon to open up my stricture so they can get through and take a look properly. As I understand it, the balloon does not ‘stay in’ but is rather just put in while they are doing the scope, to allow them room to pass through with the camera. Is this what is planned for you?

My specialist did not say anything about me needing extra time off work because they are using the balloon to get through. Why would you need extra time off, I wonder? I mean it is a routine scope apart from the inflation of the balloon, or do I have it wrong?

Sniper

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Joined : Feb 2004

Posts : 6518

Posted 4/22/2010 4:35 AM (GMT 0)

Well guys , I have some bad news or some good news depending upon how you look at things. I have had strictures dillated but only in my esophagus and despite some discomfort and a sore throat the next day I dont think it would keep me from work. However having one up the other end may be more painful, I dont know. They do some type of air inflation during a regulor scope but I dont know how much. I just know what goes in, must come out...

*Phoebe*

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Joined : Sep 2005

Posts : 769

Posted 4/22/2010 5:40 AM (GMT 0)

That’s good news for me! I’ve had so much time off work with surgeries etc I don’t want to have to take any more! And I have to take time off for my remi infusions every 8 weeks too…..

I hadn’t thought of that, I wonder if it’s going to hurt more than a normal colonoscopy…… I would have thought my specialist would have mentioned it if it were significant…. We will see! Let me know if you hear anything, firecracker1!

Sniper

Veteran Member

Joined : Feb 2004

Posts : 6518

Posted 4/22/2010 1:54 PM (GMT 0)

Phoebe, hopefully you will only have a little more air inside and after blasting that out like a Harley with a miss, you will feel ok. Hope all goes well...

Nanners

Elite Member

Joined : Apr 2005

Posts : 14999

Posted 4/22/2010 1:58 PM (GMT 0)

I think if you could get the c-scope done on a Thursday or Friday, having the weekend to rest up might not be such a bad idea. I tend to get crampy for a day or two after regular scopes, so maybe with the dialation maybe an extra day off wouldn't hurt. Good luck!

artist guy

Veteran Member

Joined : Jan 2010

Posts : 1373

Posted 4/22/2010 2:31 PM (GMT 0)

I've had that in the morning and if you recover from mild anes. they give you you will be normal in a few hours, I was, I'm having one done tommorrow morning for my esophogus, cd in my throat and mouth

firecracker1

Regular Member

Joined : Apr 2007

Posts : 208

Posted 4/22/2010 6:06 PM (GMT 0)

Thank you all for the responses. I think I will have the day before, day of, and day after off. I hope that it will not hurt too much. The procedure is an all day thing because the balloons are to stretch the scar tissue. The dr told me I will be at the hospital from morning to evening. If it isn't much more difficult than a regular scope I can handle going back to work. Procedure is on Wed, have Thurs off and back to work on a Friday.

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