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Subtotal Colectomy

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Posted 7/3/2009 2:17 AM (GMT 0)
confused I am scheduled for a subtotal colectomy July 22, 2009. This seems to be the last resort for me as I have done all tests and have had constipation problems since birth. I am concerned about having the surgery and how your body functions without a major part. Has anyone had this done several years ago and how are you doing now? I meet with my surgeon this Monday, July 6th. Are there specific questions I need to ask him?
Posted 7/3/2009 3:30 AM (GMT 0)
i had my subtotal on june 20th 2008 and it wasnt as bad as i thought it would be. i came home and pooped up a storm and LOVED it after all those years not going it was great. but of course your butt gets sore just start out putting vaseline on it to make sure the poop doesnt burn your butt from going so much. and once i started eating more then mushy foods i was fine with not going so much it hurt my butt. but i did have some problems and had another suregery on oct 5th . i had a whole in my remaining bowel but they fixed it and i pulled thru that fine. and i had a blockage in november and stayed in the hospital a week. and then another one in jan. but you know i feel sooooooooo good now i would do it all over again. it was worth it all. i honestly feel great. i finally have healed up and doing super well. and not really worried about it anymore. i do eat prunes like after a meal i worry about but other then that it was the best thing that i could of did for myself. i dont have any regrets at all except i wish i could of had it done sooner..

 you can email me if you would like to also.. [email protected]

Posted 7/3/2009 4:14 AM (GMT 0)

Hi Valerie and Welcome,

I had my subtotal last July and never had any problems at all.  The surgery went smoothly; mine was an open surgery, I was in the hospital for 5 days.  In the beginning I had 20+ bms a day but by 6 weeks they were down to 8-10 and I was able to return to work full-time - though I was still very weak - it took months to regain my strength.  As mommy... said you do get major butt burn from the bms but I only use preparationH wipes (toilet paper is just too rough) and for months always followed each bm with A&D ointment not the paste.

This surgery was a life saver for me; it was the first winter that I never even got so much as a sniffle and I work with 6 yr olds.  Everyone tells me how healthy I look even my other physicians.

As for questions for your dr:

1) Will your surgery be open or laparoscopy

2) Will you have an NG tube following surgery

3) Will you get an epidural following the surgery for pain control (this is the best because they numb just your stomach and you don't feel the incisional pain)

4) How long will your surgery last

5) How long will you be in the hospital

6) What will your diet be after the surgery and for how long (most are on a low residue - I still follow this due to if I eat fresh fruits & veggies I have severe diarrhea)

7) How much of your colon will he/she be leaving

8) Is there any chance you will have a temporary colostomy (bag)

There are probably many more questions, if you think of any add them to the list or ask any of us and we might be able to help.

I wish you the very best and hope that your surgery will be as successful as mine.

I will keep you in my prayers,

Judy

Posted 7/3/2009 11:57 PM (GMT 0)
I am new to this so I hope I haven't done this twice. Thank you for your replies. It sounds like this is a great support group. Does anyone know what the long term effects are? They are taking all of my colon except about 5". It scares me to have a major organ removed.

What were your instructions when you went home? Did you have limitations? Were you able to shower or did you have to wait until the stitches came out? Could you walk up steps?

I have so many questions, I can't think of them all.
Posted 7/4/2009 12:38 AM (GMT 0)

Valerie,

I had the normal post surgery limitations of no lifting above 5-10 lbs, no housework, limited stair climbing - I only have 4 to get into my house.  I could take a shower right away, I had staples, I was told not to drive if I was taking pain meds but if I wasn't then I could drive right away.

I had all but 2 inches of my colon removed.  My GI dr said that if I didn't have any problems following my surgery then I shouldn't later on.  As I said in my other post, I stick to a low residue diet which also helps to prevent blockages - that is one thing that you can get at any time following this surgery.  Also - hernias are another thing that some people get following this surgery - that is why I hired a housecleaner and was VERY careful not to lift or do anything to risk getting a hernia while I was healing.

One thing that I didn't know about until it happened to me was that once you have your colon removed you have to be careful with antibiotics; make sure whoever puts you on them knows you have had your colon removed because you are at risk of getting c dfficile, that's where the bad bacteria in your intestines takes over the good bacteria and you can become VERY ill.  You can take probiotics and other things while on antibiotics to help prevent the c diff.

Keep asking any more questions you have and I'll be more than happy to answer if I can.

Blessings and peace,

Judy

Posted 7/4/2009 3:31 AM (GMT 0)
i only have a 5 inches left and i LOVE IT. i would never want that old colon back in me again. i eat healthy now. like i always have and it finally works............
Posted 7/6/2009 2:14 AM (GMT 0)
Judy,
What is an NG tube?
Posted 7/6/2009 2:31 AM (GMT 0)

Valerie,

An NG tube is a tube that they put down through your nose into your stomach to drain out the fluids.  They usually leave it in for a few days, it is not comfortable at all.  I had mine in for 2 days but was only supposed to have it in for one.  My surgeon told the staff dr to take it out but the hospital dr thought it should stay in for a few days so when my surgeon came in the next morning he asked me why it was still there and I told him so he just got some gloves and pulled it out.

As long as you have an NG tube you can't eat any food, so your goal if you have one is to get it out as soon as possible because after it is out you can eat and the bms will start :)

Hope this helps,

Judy

Posted 7/7/2009 2:22 AM (GMT 0)
the dr told me i could have mine out after 4 days in . and i couldnt wait for the nurses to get in there. so i pulled it out myself.........................................
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