I am having a colectomy & ileorectal anastomosis. My understanding is that the colon is removed and the small intestine is then attached to the rectum. Has anyone had any experience with this surgery. I'm worried that I will have leakage, diarrhea or wind up in Depends. Need some feedback desperately. Thanks

I've only had a resection of the large intestine. A friend's son had extensive surgeries on both intestines and ended up with only a small section of the small intestine, though it was done little by little over several surgeries. But from those experiences I can say that your output will be more liquidy for a while (like, a couple of weeks) and then the body will adjust to reabsorbing the water through a shorter intestine and things return to normal.

You may have Depends for a little while, but the body is incredibly adaptable. My thoughts are with you that your upcoming surgery goes well!

Is there no one out there that has had a colectomy? I really need some info, advice and encourgement.

Thanks, Lyn

Lyn, We are not allowed to post links, but there is a good site for ostomates that would turn up in a search. They might be able to answer questions there.

Lyn, do a search for "Shaz Ostomy" on google. There is a wealth of information on J Pouch surgery that you can find as well as a ton of people that have had the surgery. Best of luck to you!
- paul.

I certainly hope that part of the procedure is the construction of a j-pouch or similar. Those who get connected without a pouch can have a lot of misery--control problems, frequent trips to the toilet, and big-time-bad-butt-burn because the output is so corrosive.

I have a call in to my doctor to get more info. He didn't say anything about a j-pouch. He just said he would connect the small intestine to the rectum. I'll have to read up on the j-pouch. I'm trying to educate myself before I actually have the surgery. I don't want any surprises. Thanks for the search ideas you have given me. I'll let you know when the surgery is scheduled. Thanks, Lyn

My colon surgery is finally scheduled for Sept. 18th.
and if everything goes as well as I think it will, I will schedule back surgery about 6 weeks after that.
I should be good to go in time to enjoy Christmas and do all the decorating and "stuff" I usually do. I think I see a light at the end of the tunnel. Yea!!

Lyn

Hi Lyn,
Best of luck to you on your upcoming procedures! You have a wonderful attitude, and that will go a long way in making your recovery fast and smooth. I will be thinking only good thoughts for you in all the days ahead.

Merici

Thanks to you all for the kind words, the support and the information. I was as dumb as a doornob before I got on this bulletin board.

Love