Hello,
I've read through the messages and found several which were very enlightening. I have a couple of questions which I did not see addressed. I've had stomach/bowel problems for many years, but beginning last month, knew something more serious was underway. Went for colonoscopy, and when he found he couldn't 'get past' a 'very tight stricture secondary to diverticulosis coli & diverticlitis in the sigmoid colon'.....sent me for lower GI (such a fun day!)

ANYWAY...bowel resection surgery is recommended, but before I could ask any questions, the surgeon left
town for a seminar....so I'm left wondering:

1) Naturally am having difficulty with bowel movements. Called their office and they gave me samples of KONSYL to use. Have used Citracil regularly in the past, and am wondering if Citracil would do the same as the Konsyl. Citracil does NOT have psyllium,
but I THOUGHT that was a GOOD thing, as the psyllium produced too much gas. Many of the replies on this list, however recommended psyllium, so I'm confused. Can anyone tell me which is better?

2) I saw no mention on here of anyone having to wear a 'colostomy bag' (?), even temporarily after a bowel resection. I'm praying this is the case, as this prospect frightens me more that most anything else. Yet several articles I found on the web mentioned this
possibility. Please could someone calm my fears? What are the chances of this?

Thanks so much for any suggestions in these two areas, or for any other information you can share on what to expect.

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Hi,
From your info ---they will probable take most of your sigmoid colon out.

I had 2 1/2 feet of my colon removed on 3/4/2002 because of chronic diverticular bleeding. NO bag. A week in the Hospital. Doing OK now. The incision is 13" long---from your breast bone to your pubic area. It hurts like hell for about 2 weeks.
I didnot take anything for pain after the IV pain killer pump because every pain medication causes constipation to some degree. I wanted to return to normal ASAP.

I lost alot of blood(Anemia) and had to take Iron for a long time and still do but that was caused by the bleeding before surgery.You will not have that problem. But, if you do ---I now know alot about Iron absorption problems and side-effects.
Diet after surgery -- Basically No nuts, popcorn, fresh FRUIT OR VEGGIES. I could write a book!!!
My hospital's soft diet was literally everything except fried chicken. I found greasy food cause problems.

Citrucel(methylcellulose) is not a natural fiber like psyllium so it does not breakdown by your intestinal bacteria or ferment and therefore causes NO gas. I think Konsyl which is pure psyllium is better. After you use it for awhile, the gas will go away.

I"ll be glad to share ---I have been writing on this board for 3 years and read it daily except when I was in the hospital!!!

God Bless---Harry

Hi jakmi,

I landed in the ER and went straight into surgery in January 2000. I had a very bad infection in the colon secondary to diverticulitis and had a bowel resection. Now, I don't know exactly what will happen in your case. In mine, they did the surgery in two stages to allow the colon to rest and the infection to clear up. So between the surgeries (which ended up being 5 months apart), I had a bag. I didn't have to think about it in advance because I just woke up with it, but I would have dreaded it as one of the most awful, disgusting things on earth. And at first it was pretty disgusting. But, like so many things, you get used to it. And, were I faced with the prospect again, it really would not faze me too much.

Again, I don't know what will happen with you. I now know of a number of cases where people have gotten permanent colostomies, with others they were reversed. And, it could be that even the surgeon won't know for sure until he sees how the surgery goes or how you recover. We'll all say a prayer about your outcome.

Best wishes.

[This message has been edited by auntjudyg (edited 09-12-2002).]

Thanks you so much, Harry and auntjudyg! I really appreciate your responses. Your experiences differ somewhat, as I know mine will too, but each of you have helped to calm my fears about what's ahead.

I will continue to use the Konsyl, and try to wait patiently to see what the surgeon says...and does. In the meantime, the support..and prayers..of those who have 'been there' is so very reassuring.

Thank you, and my very best regards.

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I had 6 and a half feet of bowel removed this year (Crohn's disease in the small and large bowel) and a temporary ileostomy. My main reason for surgery was a stricture.

You can help yourself prior to surgery by sticking to a low residue (low fibre) diet. This excludes all fibrous foods such as brown breads, most vegetables and fruits (except tinned) and cutting down on fatty foods. Although this sounds like a 'fad' diet, it was in fact given to me by the hospital dietician.

If you are finding you're still getting pain after eating and the pressure causing you to vomit, then perhaps it may be wise to consult your doctor with regards to a prescription for a liquid feed. I've tried a few myself, and the best I had was a prescribed complete meal replacement called Ensure Plus. It comes in many flavours, and is like a small carton of milkshake.

If you would like me to email you a full description of the lowe fibre diet, my email is crohnszone@yahoo.co.uk .

Kerry

Hi Kerry,
Thanks so much for your response. But now you have me really wondering. If the high-fiber foods are NOT good for me right now, why did the doctor prescribe the Konsyl, which is ALL fiber? This is why I find this so confusing...they tell you one thing (like 'eat lots of fiber for colon health') and then turn around and contridict that....hmmmm. I actually had been thinking the low-fiber made sense...but then when he prescribed the Konsyl, I thought, 'no, I should probably continue with high-fiber. What to do, what to do.....anyone?

Jakmi,

Your problem is very----very different from Crohn's Disease. Your problem is basically caused by not getting enough fiber in your diet. Constipation produces diverticular pockets that are pressure related.

Kerry's ---Crohn's Disease, an inflammatory bowel disease, begins usually in the ilium at the beginning of the colon and is mostly family related. Usually it's not related to your sigmoid colon but can be.

Your doc is right!!! Take your fiber, it cleans, reduces intestinal wall pressure and makes your BMs more gentle.

Harry

Thanks Harry! As it happens, I LOVE raw vegetables & whole grain breads! Would hate to give them up! =)

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I've had 2 bowel resections, both due to endo and prior adhesions from previous uterine surgeries. I did not need a bag either time. They removed about 2 inches each time, which may make a difference, I don't know.

Good Luck.

Hi Tamsin,
Thanks so much for your response. You made me very hopeful. I agree; I would think how MUCH they have to remove would make a difference.
I appreciate your help!

jakmi,

On mundane matters . . . abdominal surgery does have a relatively long recovery time (usually 4 to 6 weeks) because of cutting into those stomach muscles that support your back. I don't know what kind of help you will have afterward, but get as much as you can done now. Go shopping and stock up with all your non-perishable, detergents, toiletries for a couple of months - so your shopping bags will be as light as possible after surgery. Prepare some of your favorite comfort foods - soups, stews, whatever - and freeze some. Or if you like muffins - have a couple of batches of dry ingredients mixed in a plastic bag - and ready just to add the wet stuff and pop in the oven.

As much as you can do now - make sure any bills are paid, whatever - will be that much less to worry about afterward so you can concentrate on getting better.

auntjudyg,
That is EXCELLENT advice...just the kind of thing I need, and that the doctors usually fail to give! I'm going to print it out so I can refer to it. Thank you so much!