Subtotal Colectomy - April 25th

Good luck with your surgery. I wish I had an answer for you. I had a proctocolectomy due to Crohn's, and it took care of my problem. You might get an answer quickly if you post this question under the TOTAL COLECTOMY topic, since a lot of people who had colectomies due to constipation post there. I hope your surgery goes well and takes care of your problem completely. Please keep us posted on how you're doing.

Hello Glenn,

I hope your surgery went well.

I too had a slow transit and severe constipation at the end I had went 8 weeks before I got any relief.

I also had the sitz marker test after 5 days I still had all 24 markers. This is when I saw a surgeon. He decided to do a complete colectomy.

My surgery was on 2-12-08. I was in the hospital for 7 days.

I do not have an ileostomy. I now go to the bathroom 6-10 times a day.
When I eat I have 10min. to 2hrs. before I have to go.

I never know. I am learning, and so will you; what to eat and how long you have before having to go to the bathroom.
Life is different then before.

Time is what it will take to get use to the way my body works.

Listen to your body don't over do. And don't lift anything -- not until the doctor says.

I waited until my 8th week and doctor said I could go back to some normal activities I lifted a box maybe 10-12 lbs. I pulled all the muscles under my incision. I hurt just as bad now as when I first had surgery. Be careful.

I hope your recovery will be as painless as can be. I do know what you are going through; and so do so many others.

Before I found healingwell, I had no idea there were so many others just like me.

I am so thankful for this site. You can reach out to others and know you are not alone.

Take care

Busybee69 (Robin)

Let me know how you are doing when you feel up to it.