total colectomy

I'm so sorry to hear this. I am somewhat similar. I had severe diverticulosis, I had diverticula throughout, unheard of for a 32 year old. I was in remission for 3 years until more infections occurred. By the time I had surgery I had 6 infections affecting my ascending (5 infections) and descending (1) colon. Couldn't do surgery at that time, was my fathers caregiver and he was dying. Before surgery, my colorectal surgeon scoped me to see for himself. He said ascending was narrow and horrible shape, but my descending wasn't bad even though the 1 infection. He said it was my call, to do a resection or colectomy. I suffered with chronic constipation since adolescence. I knew my only chance to have a pain-free life was not to have a colon, so a colectomy. My surgeon said that in the 23 years of performing surgeries, he never removed an entire colon due to diverticulosis...at any age, anybody. Post surgery, the anastamosis disconnected, so a temp ileostomy was performed. Now I have a new dilemna. It is stated that maybe, even though you have your colon removed, you can still be constipated on your small. I've had my ileostomy for 13 months now and I have no pain or discomfort, contemplating keeping the ostomy. Definitely your colon isn't function properly, so a colectomy will give you a life back. If your having ileorectal anastamosis performed, it can take time because of ileus, so try your best and walk as much as possible. You've already had a resection, so it might be similar in the recovery time. Do your best, talk with your doctors, leave no stone unturned. I'm a single parent of 2 small children, no parents and limited support, and my ordeal left me so distraught because it is so not fair for me and for my children to have endured this hell along side me. But I have to do my best, to stay positive, and to gain as much knowledge so I can better help and protect myself. I wish you the same and if you have any questions, feel free to ask!!!!!!

Having a husband and support is in of itself, such a blessing. My surgery didn't go well, so can't comment on normal recovery time. My anastomosis disconnected , the sub surgeon (mine went on vacation) didn't watch or listen to me. 4 days later I was in ICU and surgery was performed. Ileostomy, over a gallon of waste had to be cleaned-organs separated and washed, the waste was so toxic it caused a dangerous blood clot by my liver, not to mention sepsis & pneumomia. The few days later, incision bleed and had to be left open. I was so weak, and without family and an advocate, I had no one on my side to complain. I came home alone, with all these problems, still a high WBC and platelets, almost 40lbs lighter, scared, they wanted me in a nursing home. But after being hospitalized 6 weeks, wanted my home. 8 days later I got my kids back from my ex motherinlaw, drove, walked alot, did my own wound care, 6 weeks later incision closed, joined gym following month, 4 months later started competing in cycling tours & marathons. Im SOOOO happy to have my colon gone, I have never felt this fantastic. I am so happy to be alive, pain free, enjoying every moment with my kids. That is why I'm pessimistic about going back in for reversal, I don't want to ruin my quality of life, but I just might try. What could be more worse than what I already went through...as you!! See surgeon next week as to my pessimism, I have to make a decision.

You will be fine, recovery might be around a month or so. You will immediately feel better with colon removed. Walk everyday, don't lift, give chores to the kids, take it day by day and it will all be over soon. God Bless you!!! Keep me posted, email me anytime.

((((Christine))))

hi Lola,

i had a total colectomy for colonic inertia (slow transit constipation) on Aug 2009. they removed all of my colon and attatched my small intestine to the rectum. no doubt this is a big surgery and you should be prepared. if all goes well, it's usually about 7 days at the hospital and 6 weeks recovery. no lifting above 10 lbs for 3 months.

possible complication is an ileus. it's a complication in which the whole digestive system gets into a trauma from the surgery and gets paralized. it can't digest anything. an ileus usually lasts about 5 days and during that time you can't eat or drink anything and must stay on ivs. in this condition an NG tube is also needed in order to drain stomach bile to avoid vomiting. but as i said, it is only temporary for few days after surgery till the digestive systme wakes up. and not everybody gets an ileus. in order to help your system wake up, it is very recommended to walk as much as you can as soon as possible after surgery, even day/next day of surgery. bring your sleepers for that.

when the ileuss is gone (and hopefully, it won't even happen in the first place for you), they should start you on clear liquids only, and if that passes ok, then on a soft low residue diet. when you start eating, take it very slow! small amounts at a time and chew your food thoroughly. drs usually say that 2 weeks after surgery you can eat whatever you want, but my advice, from other's experience and my own too, keep the low residue diet for at least the first 3 months, 6 months is even better. and when you try something new, try one food at a time and small amount. if it goes through ok, try a bigger amount. if it doesn't, leave it and try it about 2 months later.

again, this surgery is no walk in the park and you should give your body the time it needs to heal and recover. walk and rest.

if you have any further questions, feel free to ask, i'd be happy to assist as much as i can. best of luck to you!

oh my gosh.. recto-vaginal fistulas are bad.. how aweful for you. i'm so glad it's repaired now. good luck with your surgery! are they going to try connect your small intestine to rectum? or are you going to have an ileostomy?

i hope it works out, but you're right, i have had my ileostomy since July 2010 and it's really not so bad, just the opposite, i feel best i've felt in 17 years of severe chronic constipation. this is heaven for me compared to how i was before my surgeries :):) keep us posted.