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Surgery and UC

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 3/17/2009 2:58 AM (GMT 0)
Can you have surgery if you have UC? Even if you're in remission, it would seem like it's kind of risky to take antibiotics and you would have to for protection against infection.
Posted 3/17/2009 5:02 AM (GMT 0)
Of course you can have surgery if you need it. Not all surgeries require antibiotics, but if they do we take the antibiotics. They don't typically start a real flare, but we're a lot more likely to get the sort of diarrhea that quite a few people without IBD get from them.

I've had surgery several times since my diagnosis with no problem.
Posted 3/17/2009 12:24 PM (GMT 0)
I agree with Judy. I have had several surgeries myself. I had no problem with them. And while yes we need to be careful with antibiotics, but if you need them you need them. Uc should come second to that. The rest of your body comes first. Just keep in mind that if you need to be placed on any antibiotics to steer clear of the "cillins and "cyclines. These are most likely to cause Cdiff infections.
Posted 3/17/2009 1:21 PM (GMT 0)
What if you want to have something elective. like nasal reshaping? Is it bad to get surgery if you don't need it? Will a doctor operate on someone with UC? I doubt they would send you home, I am sure they want the money. I know they wont operate if you're anemic.

Posted 3/17/2009 1:27 PM (GMT 0)
I'm going to have knee surgery in June, and I don't think it will cause a problem. Yes, it's elective...well sort of! Good luck with your decision.

Posted 3/18/2009 1:15 AM (GMT 0)
I had outpatient surgery under general anesthesia, and the surgery was important but not absolutely necessary. I had just gone off prednisone so they gave me some steroids in the IV so my body would be OK with the shock, or something like that. All went fine.
Posted 3/18/2009 2:55 AM (GMT 0)

I am going to have a knee replacement BUT my surgeon and gastro doctor say that the only problem is I am now on immune suppressant 6MP which can cause a bigger chance for infection - especially with joint surgery.  My doctor wants me to get into remission - tapering prednisone (that is not a problem) and upping doseage of 6MP - get into remission (may take 3 to 6 months) and then drop the 6MP - raise prednisone to protect me (as you said ) while surgery and rehab and reintroduce 6MP for maintenance.  All the time they keep a close watch on your WBC so you won't get an infection.  It is complicated to explain but my doctors are working together.  Maybe I can have the knee surgery end of summer - I hope.

ElaineNY

Posted 3/18/2009 2:51 PM (GMT 0)
I have had two surgeries while flaring. Both were minor, but related to having colitis. One required three days worth of iv antibiotics which gave me the most awesome two weeks of perfect remission I have had since I was diagnosed. So you never know!
Posted 3/19/2009 10:05 AM (GMT 0)
I had abdominal surgery 2,5 weeks ago, 3 hours long, no antibiotics were prescribed after it, my surgeon said that they were not need as the surgery itself was done in antibitiocs environment (I'm not quite sure what that means). Just the first day after surgery some antibiotis was given with drip, they said some very good one which would not affect my intensine. And indeed, I'm in remission :)
Posted 3/21/2009 5:00 AM (GMT 0)
I just had surgery a week ago, they gave me oral antibiotics to start before the surgery and also IV antibiotics during the surgery and there was no change in my UC, still pooping little worms but no blood. Just let them know before hand that you have UC and they might be able to try a different antibiotic that isn't as hard on the colon. Good luck!!
Em
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