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partial colon removal

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Posted 1/24/2015 2:51 AM (GMT 0)
Has anyone here with transit issues have only half their colon removed? I spoke to a few surgeons and they have been unwilling even though all the markers were in the descending and sigmoid colon.
Posted 1/24/2015 3:25 PM (GMT 0)
If you have colonic inertia, Crohns, or UC, the answer is no. Your surgeon knows best.

Sue
Posted 1/25/2015 12:08 AM (GMT 0)
I was diagnosed with mesenteric venous thrombosis where 2 of my 3 mesenteric veins were blocked to my colon, the colon was dead in spots and my prognosis was I would die if my colon wasn't removed. I was at the Medical University os South Carolina and when they got in there they took out ascending, transverse and all but 3 inches of my descending colon, they left that because I had lost so much blood that the doctor felt if he continued he would lose me on the table. I had a illiostomy for 4 months when after having a sigmoidoscopy it was determined that I was healing well and my descending colon and rectum was healing well and I was a candidate for the IRA surgery, illiorectal Anastomis. They went in and reconnected my small intestines to my 3 inches of large intestines and things began to work. It was 1 year this past August when I had the IRA done and my body has adapted well. It will be 2 years this coming April since I had my colon removed. To say the least, I have been blessed, no running to bathroom, have about 2-3 more bowl movements than I used to have when I had my colon. My doctor said my body would adjust and it is. If I had to do it all over I would, I have a very normal life. With my local hospital sending me home with a drug therapy, I took matters in my own hands and asked for a 2nd opinion and transfer to MUSC. Dr. Karl Byrne was my surgeon, he is the head of the bariatric program T MUSC, he developed the program there. Feel free to ask me any further questions. Good Luck on your journey, let your heart lead you and get more than one opinion.
Posted 1/30/2015 7:47 PM (GMT 0)
No my surgeon doesn't know best because they all say different things about what could help me. At best I was told removing my colon is experimental. It's silly to blindly go with what they say especially with a major surgery and the constant change of medical technology. I believe after 10 years I know my body better than somebody who sits there and talks to me for 20 minutes without really giving two craps what happens to me. I'm not going to trust that it's an all or nothing deal when there's a possibility that people do well with only partial removal.

Thank you palmetto man for your story. I'm glad to hear that even though they kept your descending colon you're doing well. Are you a lot more sensitive to food now?
Posted 1/30/2015 9:35 PM (GMT 0)
Unfortunately, if you have UC the whole colon comes out with surgery or none at all. UC will only end up attacking the remaining colon left. That's why they don't do partials for UC. Just doesn't work like that.
Posted 2/2/2015 3:36 AM (GMT 0)
July 2010 I had all but seven inches of my colon removed due to colonic inertia. It was a lifelong problem but the last year the only way I could have a bowel movement was by taking a handful of laxatives. The pathology report showed that there were areas of the colon that were dead.
Do you have specific questions I can help you with?
Posted 2/2/2015 6:54 AM (GMT 0)
What state are you from and how has your diet changed?
Posted 2/2/2015 11:03 AM (GMT 0)
California.

I can no longer have foods high in fiber including fresh fruits and veggies, nuts, whole grains, as well as most cooked veggies.
Potatoes are the exception so I have baked potatoes often.
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