I Have to have a colectomy op, any advise?

Juicicles

New Member

Joined : Jun 2011

Posts : 8

Posted 7/8/2011 9:56 PM (GMT 0)

Hi all, im pretty new here, i was only told last month that surgery might be the only treatment left for my crohns disease, which is only in the large intestine. Spoke to the consultant surgeon today and its a definite, and its going to be happening sooner rather than later. Just wondering if any of you guys have been through this and have any advise?

Tara28

Regular Member

Joined : Apr 2005

Posts : 362

Posted 7/9/2011 7:29 PM (GMT 0)

I have a colostomy.. I don't know if you're aware but there's an ostomy sub forum on healing well. Some things I wish I had been told: unless they remove your entire rectum which is unlikely, you may still have the same urgency problems and lots of mucus discharge. It's not the miracle they make it sound like. I also had my stoma retract which made my pouch fall off all the time. I have to run to the toilet as often as before, only now there's no stoOl, just blood and mucus. And, none of my fistulas have dried up yet, even being on remi and imuran with no stoool passing thru my colon. Sorry to be such a downer. It'll be 2 yrs, wait 3 yrs I believe, come this September. The pain after surgery is similar to after a c section. Manageable. Its a tough decision, wish you luck and remission.

Roni

Veteran Member

Joined : May 2003

Posts : 2481

Posted 7/10/2011 2:23 AM (GMT 0)

Some CDers facing colectomy have tried a last-ditch drastic measure and went on an extremely strict diet like SCD or Maker's Diet and ended up saving their colon.

Have you tried one of these diets?

As you probably know, surgery is not a cure for CD—it might (or might not) come back in another part of your GI tract.

Whatever you decide, I hope you will get relief.

Equestrian Mom

Veteran Member

Joined : Mar 2008

Posts : 3115

Posted 7/10/2011 6:07 PM (GMT 0)

When you say 'colectomy' is it with an ileostomy? A rectal/anal anastomosis? Some docs are now doing j-pouches for CD patients who only have disease in their large intestine. There are very strict guidelines but I have met a few people who've had the procedure. That might be worth looking into, too.

You should ask your question on the Ostomies Forum, too. Many posters there have had similar surgery.

Good Luck!

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