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A fine line... how much is too much?

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Ostomies
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Posted 3/10/2015 7:52 PM (GMT 0)
Hello everyone,
My father just had two surgeries within the past month. He was originally supposed to have part of his colon removed but a few days after surgery they realized the connection didnt take and had to do emergency surgery and perform an ostomy. He was discharged and home for a week and is now back in the hospital due to dehydration. He tried immodium during the first visit and got too backed up. He was taking two a day at home but was still putting out too much. He is now being given lomodil I believe. I was just wondering who else has had this problem and how did you resolve it? And if you are taking any of these medications how long did it take to work? And if you have any recommendations for a surgeon to perform reconnective surgery in the future that would be great!
Posted 3/10/2015 8:45 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Karen. Sorry to hear of your Dad's issues. Regarding the surgeon, where are you writing from? That would help folks here recommend a surgeon. As for the Immodium, I was fortunate enough not to have to use that while I had my temporary ileostomy, so I can't be of any help to you there. If you need a surgeon in the San Fransisco Bay Area, I can let you know who my surgeon was.
Posted 3/11/2015 10:08 PM (GMT 0)
Hello,
Thanks for the reply. We are not in that area we are actually in the Washington DC area. Not totally opposed to traveling for a great doctor
Thanks
Posted 3/12/2015 3:00 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Karen!
I am also from the dc area and had both my surgeries at Washington hospital center. How about your dad? After my first surgery when I had my ostomy, I got dehydrated and went to the er. They found my sodium level to be dangerously low as well. They gave me fluids and a central line of sodium overnight and since then I have just been drinking a lot of Gatorade since it hydrates and has the electrolytes! I have never tried meds like Imodium so can't really help with that. I don't know about your dad but I had my ostomy and reconnections both done by Dr. Stahl at Washington hospital center and thought he was amazing!! I would recommended him. He is the head of colorectal surgery there as well!
Posted 3/12/2015 5:08 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Amanda,
Thanks for the reply. Im so sorry you had to go through all of this but I'm glad all is well now. My dad is also drinking gatorade and powerade like a champ for the electrolytes. He is considered a high output ostomy and they are trying to slow down the flow. In about six months or so they are going to try a reconnective surgery. If you dont mind me asking did you have any problems or complications with the first surgery and the reconnective surgery? And why do you like this surgeon so much? Sorry for all of the questions we just havent had the best experience with the surgeon we are using and I want to find a great one for the reconnective surgery. And thank you for the recomendation, I'm going to check him out.
Karen
Posted 3/12/2015 6:23 PM (GMT 0)
Yeah definitely research Dr. Stahl to see if you would like to use him! My GI recommended him and he was just amazing. The only complication from the first one was the dehydration but that was on me! I was really bad at drinking enough. And my incision opened partially but he showed me how to pack it and in a couple weeks all was healed! Still going good so far after the reconnection. Still some pain and cramping, I'm not 100% but my surgeon said it is nothing that isn't normal and it should subside soon. Stahl was just very nice and comforting. I am pretty young and he just made me feel at ease and not as scared. He also seems just so knowledgable about all of this and like he really knows what he's doing but without being cocky. All of the reviews I read online about him beforehand were excellent as well so check those out! He is the head of all colorectal surgery at Washington hospital center so he oversees all the other surgeons in that department. He has also been doing these surgeries successfully for a good while. Everyone is different though so don't hold me to anything lol! I just wanted to tell you since I was very pleased with him! Did your dad have his other surgeries at whc as well or another hospital?
Posted 3/12/2015 6:40 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Amanda,
He had his surgeries at Suburban Hospital. I just researched him and he has excellent reviews and is rated highly. I just talked to my dad and he wants to meet him so i made an appointment. Thank you so much for all of your help with this. I hope you recover fully soon and feel better! Keep in touch.
Karen
Posted 3/12/2015 6:44 PM (GMT 0)
So glad I was helpful! Thank you for the well wishes! I hope you and your dad like him and that all goes well for you all! Wish you all the best! :-)
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