Surgery questions

Hi all - New member here.... 33 yr. old male. Crohn's in terminal ileum region for past 15 years. Recently, flare ups are becoming more frequent, even though I exist on a *no* residue diet. My latest xray showed 25 cm of strictured bowel with fistulas, and my doctor has recommended surgery. No involvement in the colon at all, thankfully. I've never had surgery before and am a little nervous about this!

The plan is to do a laproscopic resection on May 25- which will remove the ileocecal valve and the diseased portion. I realize it won't cure the problem, but it would be nice to eat normally again without so much fear about whether it will cause a flare! So, my question is this - I've read somewhere how the removal of the IC valve can lead to a significant change in bowel habits.... some have mentioned having to use the bathroom upwards of ten or more times a day because of this surgery! I know there are may on this forum with experience with this - what can I expect after? How long was your recovery? Did it significantly alter your "normal" routine? Did you return to normal after recovering completely?

Thanks for any advice!

I have had 2 resections myself. The first was similar to what you will be having, only difference mine was a full open surgery and was an emergency. Yes immediately after the surgery you will have some explosive diarrhea, but once your bowels adjust to the changes things will quiet down. Now I am not going to lie, some do have continued diarrhea, but with the help of things like Questran you can help it be more manageable. But with having two resections already I tend more towards C than D. The biggest changes I have noticed is that I don't tolerate some foods that I could eat before. I.E. no more red meat or pork. I just don't digest them as well. I also have found that a modified low residue diet works best for "me". I have the stricturing/scarring type of Crohns and don't do well with too much fiber. (In other words I tend to develop alot of adhesions and scar tissue). But I do bet you will be feeling much better after the surgery. I know I did. I hope that I have helped some.

Hugs
Gail*Nanners*

I had surgery to remove the ileum and a small section of colon due to strictures and fistulas. The surgery was done in Feb of this year and I have noticed a big increase in the d. I have a stoma and the output from it has been much higher and very watery. I take imodium to try and reduce which helps a bit. I also have problems with my electrolytes suffering from low calcium, potassium and magnesium and take supplements for all of them but I have already been hospitalised for low calcium and potassium a few weeks back and still have problems keeping them at a reasonable level. The problems with my electrolytes has only really started since the surgery.

But the good news as I complete free of the Crohn's disease at present and can eat anything I want whereas previously I was restricted on what I could eat.