for those who have had a resection or stricturoplasty.....

how long did you have severe D after? And how much intestine did you have remove?

My surgeon said I could have it months and I may not return to having normal BM's (or somewhat of normal)

I know it will vary from person to person but just want to get a general idea if I can. I am incontinent and cannot get these types of surgery's if this is the outcome, so we are looking at a colostomy as an option. If I wasn't incontinent (due to a botched surgery mistake) this procedure to remove/repair my stricture would be very simple but of course, it is not that easy anymore due to this darn incontinence problem. It has turned my life upside down, aside from my Crohn's symptoms. I am so nervous to jump into getting a bag when there is a possibility I "may" not have the severe waterworks forever after a resection or stricturoplasty. Do I take the risk and chance more time out of work, more time on the table, and more guessing and hoping? Or do I just take the leap...is a colostomy a permanent thing - is it reversible if they come out with something in the next few years to help my incontinence? In a very difficult place. Ultimately my surgeon will help me decide the best procedure for the best quality of life outcome but I would like to get your opinions :)

*FYI - I already had  a sphincter repair last year which was successful in gaining muscle movement back. For some reason though I am still not able to control, especially if they are loose and gas (so embarrassing!!!!). My dr's are doing tests to see if the Crohn's has drifted into my colon and have also put me on Canasa suppositories to see f it will help my urgency issues. Right now I only have a few seconds to make it to the BR. Its terrible.

 

Had two resections and after the first one, after awhile it got more normal although I noticed slightly looser stools and I never experienced constipation after that first one. After the second one, I'm completely diarrhea since. BUT, I also got diagnosed during my last resection and was put on Pentasa at that time. So, I can't say if it might be different if I wasn't on that medicine in the first place. I hope you make the right decision for you and I hope whatever your choice, that it makes you better.

I had a resection for a sticture done in January. They removed about 6 inches at my anastomsis site from prior surgery. I've been struggling with consist BMs since then. One day is solid, the next is D all day with major urgency issues. But I'm guessing the surgery flared my CD and this is what is causing my issues.

If the stricture is bad enough you might not have a choice. I put mine off for over a year and then it got so bad I couldn't wait any longer.

Good luck

I had a resection in 2006, they took out 12 inches of bowel and have constant diarrhoea, it is only since I have been flaring again now that I don't know whether I'm going to be running or not have anything at all. The doctor did put me on cholestyramine which did work for a while but now has stopped working for me, along with the loperamides. I am also on pentasa , (8 tablets a day) which I have been on since before my op.
if you are getting a lot of diarrhoea it might be an idea for you to speak to your doctor about the cholestyramine, I know it has helped quite a few ppl on here.
Good Luck!

Since starting my Humira I haven't had a problem with D. Every once in awhile, if something I ate bothers me I will have a little D but lately its been normal, prob due to the stricture. Sometimes I even am C. The surgeon says though since I've had my stricture for so long, it will be like opening up a dam. I really don't need that in my situation. Back before I became incontinent, I could hold it for hours...never had a control issue! I am so upset over this.

Do you guys ever consider a bag to regain your life back?

At the end of the day, it may be worth it all to get one. I mean, I don't have a lot of accidents. I do worry continuously about having one though. I want to stop worrying so much about being close to a bathroom. Its the fear of "what if" that gets me. I wish it would stop but it seems to only get worse. Just as I gain confidence, an incident occurs and its back to feeling really bad about myself. But will I feel better mentally with the bag hanging off my stomach? - a constant reminder of the crap we go through, literally. In a way, of course it will give me my life back. In another way, its taking a little bit away such as my confidence. I feel I will always worry about smell or noises or feeling un-attractive to my bf. I could go on and on but I will spare all of you. I don't know what answers I am looking for really. I just hope that when I go back to the surgeon's office, he will guide me in the right direction and I will go through with it. I trust him completely - he is a renowned surgeon in NYC -he actually cares about my quality of life after surgery, which is very hard to find.

I had 1 resection, 10-12 inches removed. I had diarrhea immediately afterward and it got progressively worse. CD came back pretty much immediately. Sometimes I've been hanging by a thread to not having another resection, but thank God I've managed to avoid it and at least now I'm not obstructing all the time.
It's been so rough at times.
Anyway, if they can fix you up by avoiding the bag, I suggest you look carefully into that route.
Best wishes, hope you feel better soon!

i had my resection 4 years ago, i had almost 3 feet removed and have had d ever since, but i also had it before..

I had a resection in April -- 2.5 feet removed. It's been about 2 months now, and stuff still goes through me sooo quickly, however, it's become more predictable -- as in I know that if I eat, within 15-45 minutes it probably is going to go through me.

Thank you so much for all your advise.

I have started the Canasa suppository. I am getting a few tests done and I also increased my Humira from 10 days to once a week. Hopefully these things will help to push off surgery a little bit but indefinitely I need more intestine out. Its been 13 years since my last (2 ft out) so I have been very lucky! I mentioned Questra to my GI and she would love to put me on that after surgery. I am pretty sure I am willing to risk just getting the resection or stricturoplasty and hoping for the best afterwards. Oh, and also I will be going to biofeedback - physical therapy for the butt per say. Hopefully this will strengthen the muscle. Then I can maybe fix the darn fistula I have as well...it never ends!!