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Resection Nessasary????

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted Today 6:35 PM (GMT 0)
Hello HW!

I am wonder about something and would like some advice.

I was meeting w/ my OB/gyn today to discuss the removal of my ovaries due to chronic complex cysts and other issues related.  I happened to mention under my breath about if i "could" i would remove my colon while we were at it......My gyn said "WHY NOT?"   .....he gave me the number to a top colorectal surgeon in our area (miami, fl, incase anyone has other suggestions). He said that maybe my GI and a surgeon would consider it and then we could just do it the same time we remove the ovaries since i will be "open".

I was dx in 2003. I have 8 inches involved in the lower colon. I am on 6mp to not much success, and we are  now adding canasa, nulev, colace, and citracel. Im soooo sick of these meds, and ofcourse there is always my worry of already being immune deficient that my risk of cancer might be higher due to the additional immune suppresants. I am usually admitted to the hospital for anywhere from a few days to a wk about 4 times a year since being diagnosed.   Im so sick of ALL of it, could it be this simple?  I mean, i know a resection must not be simple, but maybe it's worth it?

I have two young children that i must care for fulltime and alot of the childcare/ household duties fall on my husband due to me feeling so crappy all the time.

Does anyone have any suggestions?  Im not really sold on the idea, but am entertaining it.....The thought of killing two birds w/ one stone and not having all these medical problems for the rest of my life sound really tempting!!!!! What do u all think????

Posted Today 6:52 PM (GMT 0)
well you won't have a "resection", per se- do you mean a j-pouch? Resections are only done with Crohns. If you are sold on the idea of having surgery at some point for your UC, then sure, why not do it all at once? A j-pouch is 2 surgeries, at least, so you'd have the initial gyn/colo-rectal surgery, then the surgery to reconnect things to the pouch. I know what you mean about being sick of it all- I just created a thread titled just that! Lately surgery has become more of a viable option for me than ever. The thought of being "done" with UC & meds is wondrous. If I were you, I'd think long & hard on if this is something you really want to go thru, & if it is, then yes, do them both at once. The less surgery you have is always better!

Posted Today 6:55 PM (GMT 0)
I too am toying with the idea of having my colon removed. The only thing stoping me right now is that I would like to have another kid. I think if I could swing it, I would probably have a c-section and colon removal all at the same time. So your situation sounds ideal. I might consider it if I were you. I also have two young kids and trying to explain to them why I have to run to the bathroom 10+ times a day is a little daunting, however, it has made potty traing easier. Good luck with your decision.
Posted Today 6:55 PM (GMT 0)
A resection would not be appropriate. UC occurs anywhere from the rectum to the top of the colon so if you had a resection the disease would just return to the remaining portions of colon. I had only about 2.5cm of affected tissue but that was enough for me to toss the colon and rectum and opt for a jpouch. I had the surgery 7 years ago and have not regretted it. This is major surgery so do take time to get educated on the surgery and the recovery. Go to www.j-pouch.org Make sure you interview a very experienced CR surgeon, one who has done hundreds of these procedures.

Sue
Posted Today 8:42 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you everyone! I was unaware that i could not just do a "resection". I don't think i am up for a j-pouch as of yet.

Suebear, so, if i were to opt for surgery, the entire colon must go?

I wish none of us had to deal with this cruel disease!
Posted 12/5/2008 2:08 PM (GMT 0)
Shannon,

If you opt for surgery the entire colon and the rectum must go. The jpouch is formed out of a small portion of your small intestine and becomes a "false" rectum.

Sue
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