Colon Removal Surgery impending... - Bowel Disorders Message Board

beebes72 · 08-28-2008, 08:46 AM

Hi all! I'm new

and wanted to post a thread to see if there are any experienced folks out there who have had their colon removed due to colonic inertia. Thats what I have and have been told they will remove my colon. I dont know when, but want to know from anyone out there how it went. Did you lose weight? How long for recovery? Did you have normal bowel activity after? I've had a sitz marker study and after 9 days all markers were still in my large intestines (duh, hadnt pooped once in those 9 days). I had an anal manometry test and pelvic floor is ok. Had a colonoscopy and its fine too. Just no inertia in the colon...they tell me this after ten years of being told I have IBS, which I knew wasnt right. I havent had an unassisted BM in 12 years! I think I'm excited about finally having an answer and maybe this will greatly improve my quality of life...anyone have anything to share?

lkdenke · 09-03-2008, 07:11 PM

I too, had the same surgery for the same problem. The surgery was done in Jan. of 2004. It was the best thing I ever did. We are talking weeks for bowel movements to happen and they had to have help to move. There are a few things to be aware of for after surgery:

1. Ask the hospital if you can borrow some of their cotton chucks, These are pads that they will put under you for accidents. The cotton ones feel so much better than the paper ones.
2. Try not to eat anything after 7 or 8 because for a little while you will not have good bowel control A couple of times my husband and I woke to being in a sea of poop. He didn't complain but I was humiliated.
3. Watch what foods will give you dumping symptoms. Mine is chocolate. If I eat it in small amounts I still have dumping. Some medications cause dumping too.

I will try to remember other thing if possible
Good Luck
lkdenkt

kd66 · 09-10-2008, 10:27 AM

Have you had your surgery yet? I hope it is helpful. Can you tell me more about your symptoms and why they decided to do the surgery? And what do you mean by "unassisted BM"?

I have fought with my system for 30+ years and don't expect it to ever be 'normal'. I do wonder where it is headed and if there is a surgical solution. I will post more details later in a separate thread.