Finished Testing, Dr. recommends 2 surgeries and biofeedback...anyone have this?

I've had constipation my whole life.  I'm 52 years old, and the only way I've been able to have a BM for 30 years is to take Senokot weekly.   Over the years, the laxatives haven't worked as well... I've been to several drs. over the years and their suggestion was always to drink more water, fiber, etc.  Of course, I tried everything, but I knew there were other problems than just my diet.

I finally went to a Colon and Rectal Center, had all the testing (sitz marker, EMG, anal maometry, defogram) and today I saw the surgeon.  He said of 120 markers, I still had 119 in my colon (no surprise!), and that in addition to my colon not working, I had problems with my rectum as well.  I have a large reticole (sp?) and my muscles are not working properly.

He suggests biofeedback--he said it can't hurt, and while he's sure I'm going to need to have my colon removed, this is a first step.  Next, he thinks I should have the STARR procedure, because without it, I'll still have problems once my colon is removed.

There's no rush to do this, but I'm starting biofeedback in a couple weeks.  He recommends 4 to 6 treatments and see if there's any improvement.  His feeling is that it probably won't solve any problems, but may help after the colon surgery.  When I asked if he sees this alot, he said fairly often, and that most of his patients who need the colon surgery are in their late 30's to early 40's, and that if laxatives have helped me this long, I've been lucky.  He said my case is more complicated because of the rectum problem, but he really feels the surgeries will help.

Just wondering...has anyone had both surgeries and had improvement?  I'm really nervous about all of this, but it would be so nice to just be able to poop!!

Thanks for any advice!

Thanks for responding.  The STARR procedure is for a recticole (sp), which is another problem, apparently.  It's sort of a bulge in my rectum that doesn't allow stool to pass easily...or at least that's my understanding.  When my Dr. explained this to me, I was sort of in shock and I know I didn't understand everything.   I'm just wondering if anyone has had this surgery....I know I read that someone had one, but I can't find the post now.  All of this is just overwhelming.

My doctor didn't mention anything about an ostomy...he said he would attach my small intestine to my rectum.  I asked about the success of this surgery, because I've read about so many problems on this board. He assured me the success rate is very good.  He said he performs this surgery regularly and if it wasn't successful, he wouldn't be performing them.  He added that there can be complications, but usually these problems can be resolved, or at least made manageable.

I'm starting biofeedback in a few weeks, and will have 4 or 6 sessions,and then we'll go from there.  Surgery seems so extreme to me, but when I take my laxative that I have been taking for 30 years and it won't work well, then I'm sure I should have surgery.  Like you, I just want to poop.  Without laxatives, I have absolutely no urge at all.  It seems like such a simple thing to do, doesn't it?