Effects of living without a colon

In the long run, does living without a gall bladder or colon (neither of which I have), affect digestion and metabolism?

[CalGal]

Without a gallbladder people may or may not have problems digesting fats - it depends.

Without a colon - whose major function is to reabsorb water from the contents that are passing though - the fecal output could be a lot more watery. In one portion of the colon we also have some bacteria that tend to produce a lot of the short-chain fatty acids we need (but can't make ourselves), so that might produce some problems over the long haul.

[TrudieC]

I have lived without a large colon for the last 15 years.  I do ensure I am adequately hydrated since I don't absorb as much water, and I increasea my sodium and potassium intake.  Otherwise there are some small adjustments for reducing high fiber foods.

I also have hypothyroidism which results in a slow metabolism.  I have put on a lot of weight since I had my surgery (ulcerative colitis is now gone) but just lately have been able to get the weight loss moving.  I feel very healthy.

[swisler]

i am 22 years old and had a total colectomy in june b/c of a c-diff infection.  i just had an ileostomy reversal yesterday.  how is it to live without a colon?  i have done it for the past 6 months, but had the ostomy.  what is it like without it?  will i ever feel normal again?

[CalGal]

Swisler, why don't you post a message to Morecambe who has been doing the 'living without a colon' for awhile. I think you'll get a lot of good advice and comfort from hearing it directly from 'the horse's mouth,' so to speak.

[swisler]

Hi Morcambe.  CalGal said I should post a message with you, suggesting you might be able to give me some advice.  I'm a 22 year old college student.  I had a little girl in May and apparently had toxic C-Diff the last month of my pregnancy.  the result ended up being nearly dying of the infection and subsequently having a total colectomy, not to mention my daughter was only 4 lbs b/c of it.  I got to see her three times in the first three weeks of her life b/c i was so sick.  the first hospital didn't treat it properly and i was medi-flighted to another hospital where i was told if they didn't do an emergency colectomy i would die before any antibiotics would take affect.  I have never experienced any pain like this in my life and would never wish it on my worst enemy.  It hurt to laugh, it hurt to cry, it hurt to breathe.  I spent two more weeks there with an ileostomy.  I guess i never really dealt with any of it, just kinda pushed it back like it never happened.  I had my take down yesterday and have no idea how to deal with not having a colon, physically or emotionally.  I know it's not some huge deal that everybody can see but i feel it.  i know and i hate it.  when they did the takedown, the dr. also informed me i have endometriosis.  I just don't understand why any of this had to happen.  I know i'm still here and i should be thankful for that, but i'm still angry.  I'm not a bad person but **** just seems to keep on happening.  i'm not trying to feel sorry for myself or wallow in pity, but the phrase "****  happens" seems way to simplistic.  my husband loves me and was awesome through all of this, but just can't understand why I still think about it or let it affect me.  I just always think the bottom is going to drop out now.  I can't stop worrying about everything.

[swisler]

I'm  so sorry everyone.  I didn't mean to post that long message publicly.  I've never done this type of thing, or sought advice like this.  I didn't see the member list to the side and i have to apologize for everyone seeing my emotional rant.  i'm usually much stronger than this, but i guess in my moment of weakness you get the whole story, or most of it.  so again, very sorry that it seems like i'm just wallowing in self-pity, i'm not trying to

[Morecambe]

Hi - I'm pleased to offer any help that I can and, first of all, I do hope that you can continue your recovery.  Basically I think that you have had to endure medical manipulations that have "snowballed" semi-out-of-control and you are entitled to feel "cheated".

Also, there is no harm in recognising that you may have been more mentally traumatised that you imagine following all the things that have happened and, if you feel this way, then do seek psychological advice rather than (as we British say) "keeping a stiff upper lip"!!.  If you had survived a plane crash where people around you had died or been injured, you would feel traumatised.  What you have gone through has similarities with what I just described especially as your little daughter's life may have hung in the balance.  After my experience, I felt a heightened awareness of risks and challenges that I had not perceived before and consulted a psychologist. So do talk to a qualified counsellor/psychologist soon.  Although you mention having to cope physically and emotionally without a colon, please be assured that the absence of a colon is purely the removal of a "piece of piping" just as the removal of an appendix or tonsils etc would be.  I think that the emotional part of your suffering is entirely down to the the understandable cumulative effect of all the crises that have faced you.

Can I refer you to a previous posting which I placed on Medhelp in response to a question from another Medhelp patient:-

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/523166

Please have a read through that and see whether it contains some of the answers that you seek based on my own experiences.

But on the more general point - yes it is possible to live normally (well almost) without a colon.  A colectomy is a "big" operation and you may well require ~ 6 months to recover in full.  Almost five years after my operation I lead a normal life and the only "after-effect" is the increased number of #2 toilet visits during the day (~ 4 during the day and 0-1 during the night).  I keep my motions semi-solid by eating a high-fibre diet including fresh fruit, vegetables and wholemeal bread + oats/bran etc.  I feel that this high fibre diet has a similar effect to throwing sawdust onto the kitchen floor to mop up a liquid spill. - i.e. it "de-liquifies" my motions from watery to muddy/sludgy.

Does this answer your questions?  Hope so but I am "at the end of an email message" and more than happy to try and help further.

Good luck
Morecambe

[dianaz]

I have lived without a colon since in was 121/2 years old. that was back in 1962.  I had Crohn's disease that just could not be controlled and came very close to death.  I had my surgery at the Cleveland Clinic. I was fortunate enough to have had an angel of a doctor named Rupert Turnbull( the leader in that field).  I had a colostomy bag until I was 16 and then had the reversal surgery. The Crohn's was pretty much undercontrol after the initial surgery with a couple bothersome events like adhesions and rectal fistula.  But after age 20 I'd have to say my life was as normal as anyones.  I may eliminate(bowels) faster after meals than most people and ( somedays) more often but over all I have led a wonderful "normal" life.  I have had two wonderful pregnancies and delivered through scheduled C sections both times.  Now that I am in menopause I am experiencing issues such as osteoporosis .  I attribute that to steroids that I took way back when as well as the lack of current issues of malabsorbtion of nutrients.  I consider myself to be in good shape( better than most women my age) .  My weight is perfect, I lift weights and walk regularly.  I would gladly answer any questions you or anyone new to the "no colon" club may have.  My number one suggestion...have a sense of humor about things...when I had the colostomy bag I gave my stoma a name.  All my close girlfriends knew my situation.  I wasn't  ashamed .

[rose111]

Hi Swizler,
I just happened upon this site.  I permanently lost the use of my colon and rectum and for 13 months my small intestine (all of which were perfectly healthy).  This happened during a surgery that I turned out not to even need.  Mis-diagnosis, surgery done wrong, the list goes on.  Almost died of scarred in colon, rectum, and small intestine. Because the damages were so complex and they were done by docs, it was VERY hard to find help from another doc.  FINALLY I found one that did the only thing that could be done, take the adhesions off the small intestine and do a permanent ileostomy. So I can relate to your trauma reaction.  I've been trying to process it for 2+ years now.  Have done a lot of travel, but when not traveling, I feel really down.  Plus I am desperately trying to get a handle on the whole dehydration/nutrition issue to feel the best I can and go on with life as this is what I have.  I miss my healthy colon!  But at least I'm still here.

Rose

[jjshep]

Hello everyone!!! I was 25 when I had my total colectomy done (2008) and had a "blockage" last year which was terrible!!! Anyways, I am a very active guy (running, lifting, basketball, etc.) and have notcied that fatigue sets in a little harder now than in my "pre-colon" days.  I know I'm getting at that magic age of 30, where I finally realize I can't do the things that I was in my early 20's, but I have to believe that not having a colon has to play some role.  I realize that hydration is a major factor and I drink more water than ever.  I was hoping that maybe someone had advice as far as nutritional/dietary adjustments they have made that have made a significant difference for them???

[vhill4307]

hi everyone.. i had a total colectomy in 2005 with the  reversal in 2010. the only real problem i have is the constant diarreah (diarrhea). i take shots of sandostatin three times a day whick helps greatly. it is incapacitating at times and it tends to make my sugar levels up and down but i no longer need the bag and i hopefully will be off the shots within the next year

[darbyp]

Hi.. I'm new to this site...  I had a colectomy 6 months ago and have been out of the hospital for 5 months...   I also do not have  a gall bladder.....   I'm looking for  answers / support....  does the pain/discomfort lesson over time?   is depression normal?   and does the fatigue last?  I appreciate any info... Than  you

[CalGal]

Darbyp, read some of Morecambe's posts. He's doing quite well with a colon and has found ways to cope with the loose stools and other issues. You also may want to start a post of your own. Your quergy is buried among others and someone who can address your issues may not stumble upon it.

[nuu2this]

I had my gallbladder removed in 1998. And now facing the real possibility of my colon being removed. I am 46. I have chronic fatigue now (please tell me that will NOT get worse) I have had diarrhea for 15yrs!!! So if that is the MAJOR thing I have to get over, I have it covered!  I already take Multi-vitamins, B 12, Vitamin C each day.  And I drink a LOT of water (I don't drink soda's or anything with sugar)  I DO LOVE salad! I eat pretty healthy. What kind of changes in my diet/daily life am I looking at making?