Total Colectomy

I am having a total colectomy and I have read on another chat that you will have a tube up your nose and down your throat, I have not been told about that. My surgeon didn't really give me too much info on it in general other than I needed to have it done. My doctor also said I would only be in the hospital for 4 days and I would be able to return to work after 2-4 weeks. Has anyone else been told about the same? I am having it done laproscopic which I know has a quicker healing time than if it was an open surgery. I am mainly concerned with all diarreha after the operation or the small intestine not wanting to take over. My surgeon hasn't even checked the small intestine to know if that works right or not. All the test I have had done have only been done to check the large intestine.

Hi MMA,

 

I'm scheduled for my subtotal colectomy Aug. 3.  When I went for my second oppinion, the doctor was surprised that my surgeon had tested my small intestine.  He said it wasn't necessary unless I had a history of vomiting, which I don't.  So, if your constipation leads to vomiting, then as far as I understand, you'll need to have the small intestine checked out.  The procedure isn't bad at all: you drink some vanilla barium stuff, walk around the office for 1 to 3 hours, while they take x-rays every 15 minutes or so.

 

Amira