total colon removal

[patty307]

Hi,

I am going to have surgery to have my colon removed due to atonic colon.  I was born this way and have tried every thing for constipation(chronic)  I am 57 years old. If I didn't have cit mag to drink,  I would eventually die because nothing else works. Besides that I am healthy and in good shape.  Anyway I am very afraid and don,t know what to expect afterwards.  Also do I have to change my eating habits?  What will happen to me?


Thankyou for your time

Patty Collesano     ***@****

[WJC]

I had a total colectomy and ileorectal anastamosis 2 weeks ago.  I am exhausted from lack of sleep. Yesterday, I had 15 bowel motions, some quite urgent; at least I have been able to thicken BM by taking Metamucil. What should I be eating/drinking and how should I organise my meals so that I am not on the toilet all the time ? After eating a small meal, my BM start a few hours later and continue, half hourly for several hours. Any suggestions welcome                WJC

[Morecambe]

Hi Patty - please don't hesitate to make further postings on this thread - I'll watch out for them on a daily basis and will be pleased to try and answer any further questions.  I was the same age as you (well 58 actually!!) when I had my operation and although it does take a bit of recovery time, after a couple of weeks you will be able to live semi-normally (i.e. plenty of rest, quiet time at home but short gentle walks etc etc).  For ~ 6 weeks you will not be allowed to drive (emergency stop >>> seatbelt pressure on the wound site etc).  You will need to have the wound examined and dressed every few days prior to removal of the sutures (~14-21 days).

I was back on the tennis court playing tennis after 6 months.

I am sure that the discomfort of the operation will be well rewarded by the relief of a normal working lower intestine.  Don't worry about the greater number of toilet visits.  Remember, it just means that every time you do a "#1 (~8 times per day???) you will just do a #1 and a #2!!  Also I do my best thinking while on the loo....!!

I suggest that you eat normally but adjust your diet if any foods seem to cause excessively loose motions.  I can recommed the bran/oats mixture blended with milk + grated apple + other fruits/nuts/lemon juice all mixed together as a home made muesli (it looks like wet cement) to "bulk up" your motions.  Also do drink plenty of water (~2 litres per day) because the water storage capacity of your colon will not be there any more.  In other words do avoid dehydration.

Good luck - and do ask your surgeon to clarify any questions that you may have about the operation.

Morecambe

[CalGal]

This whole thread is exactly what I meant by posting the information on the board. I'm sure there are other people 'out there' who are having similar problems and have similar questions, but don't have people to ask or are worried about asking the question themselves. It's hard when someone has a GI issue. It's a subject that is 'hidden' and words like 'poop' or tummy are used when someone just wants to say something blunt and direct.

It's very understandable that your frightened. I hope Morecambe's post helped. I know it was an education for me. If you have more questions, ask. Don't hesitate. Some of us may not have gone through exactly the same thing, but enough of us have experience with a variety of GI issues that we might be able to give you a hand or perhaps steer you in the 'right' direction.

Take care.

[patty307]

hi,

Has anyone gotten my results of surgery???  I don't see them posted

patty307

[Sue357]

Thanks.  Good point.  I know that I receive great info here on the board.  I just wanted to try and help her connect directly.....

[Morecambe]

Hi - I've just read the recent postings and can tell you the following:-

back in 2004 I underwent a total colectomy for torrential diverticular bleeding.  Another term for this operation is "ileorectal anastomosis" - i.e. where the far end of the ileum is joined to the near end of the rectum.  The whole colon (+ appendix) is removed.  My operation was not performed laparoscopically by the surgeon - but via the full "cut me open" method which involved about a 10-11 inch incision from the bottom of the sternum to the pubic area.   Other experiences:-

- the operation lasted about 4 hours
- I felt pretty groggy afterwards but felt more normal the next day
- you will have numerous I.V. tubes with drugs, nutrients, antibiotics
- pain is quite well controlled via an epidural drip in the spine
- on the day after the operation, you will probably be visited by a heartless physio who will insist that you get out of bed and walk around.  They are only doing their job and take this action to minimise the chance of blood clots etc.
- after some days I developed an ileus which, in simple terms, is a failure of the intestines to start working again because of the shock/manhandling that they have undergone during the operation.  This may necessitate a neo gastric tube to suck out bile juice etc from the stomach until the intestines start to work again.
- in addition a suprapubic catheter was inserted to allow urine to drain from my bladder.
- I was lucky and the 2% chance of requiring a colostomy bag was avoided.  I think that this depends on the "geometry" of the open ends of the intestines and how closely they can be sutured together.
- it was predicted that I should be able to leave hospital after 6-7 days but because of the ileus, I was kept in for 12 days.
- of course it may be that if your resection is carried out laparascopically, then your stay in hospital may be reduced - please ask your surgeon.
- occasionally, if the sutured intestine develops minor leaks then another operation is necessary to prevent peritonitis.  Again, please ask your surgeon.

After the operation, my motions were very watery but gradually they became more muddy/sludgy with 6-8 visits to the toilet during the day and 2-4 at night.  This falls off and today there are perhaps ~ 4 per day and 0-1 at night.

To avoid anal soreness, I suggest that the last toilet paper wipe is with toilet paper dampened with soapy water.  Take very mild baby wipes when you are away from home.

From the diet point of view, I suggest eating plenty of roughage including oats and bran (home made muesli, also bran added to yoghurt) to "bulk up" your motions.  I did not have to stop eating anything but plenty of fruit/vegetables/roughage did solidify my motions.

Hope this helps, please sent through a "post comment" if I can give you any further information

Good luck
Morecambe

[Sue357]

Hi.  I had a colon resection, 11 weeks ago, and had about7 inches of my colon removed.  I have posted here before and morcambe has responded to me and been very helpful.  I would suggest that you go to members section and try to message him directly.  I have never done that but it may be helpful.....

[CalGal]

You may want to ask some of your questions of 'Morcambe' who had a similar procedure done. You can find her on the MedHelp's 'general' Gastroenterology board.

[patty307]

I already had a colostomy and it showed atonic colon and diverticlitis.  I was wondering how long I would  be in the hospital because the insurance company only will let me stay in the hospital one day.  Also I forgot that it will be laporscopy.  Will I always have watery stool? Will I have a bag??????

[Kevin Pho, MD]

These are questions that you have to ask your surgeon.

Because I'm not involved in your case, I cannot speculate exactly as to what the expect.  

A colostomy may be involved, and there is indeed a chance that your eating habits may change.   It would depend on the extent of the surgery and how much colon is removed.

These options can be discussed with your personal physician.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patients education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
www.kevinmd.com

[sweetthing252]

A related discussion, for colon surgery do you have to have a epideral for pain I don't want one if I have to have surgery any options was started.

[Sue515]

A related discussion, due for total colon removal end of July was started.

[CalGal]

I haven't seen any other posts from you since you posted in mid-April. You may want to post it over on the 'general' or member's board.

[Sue357]

Yes, please keep us posted.... I wish you good luck with the surgery.

[patty307]

You all are so great.  God bless you all and thanks for making me more confident.  I will post again after surgery.  Thank you thank you so much

Patty307

[patty307]

Hi,

I am going to have surgery to have my colon removed due to atonic colon.  I was born this way and have tried every thing for constipation(chronic)  I am 57 years old. If I didn't have cit mag to drink,  I would eventually die because nothing else works. Besides that I am healthy and in good shape.  Anyway I am very afraid and don,t know what to expect afterwards.  Also do I have to change my eating habits?  What will happen to me?


Thankyou for your time (I hope this is what CalGal meant regarding posting, instead of e-mailing, so that more people would benefit from responses)  Thanks again! :)

Patty Collesano     ***@****

[patty307]

Thank you for your help.  I very much appreciate it.  

patty307

[CalGal]

If Patty posts her questions on the board instead of E-mailing or messaging, more people who may be hesitant to ask questions would be able to read the exchange and might be helped by it.

[patty307]

I'm looking for morcambe in general gastro

patty307

[patty307]

sorry not colostomy but colonostomy