Subtotal Colectomy for Constipation

I have been having problems with my gut for several years now.  In 2001, I had surgery to remove adhesions that were causing obstructions.  After that 2002, I had a hernia repaired at the incision site.   I didn't have any more problems until Fall of 2006.  I again began having obstructions.  These are extremely painful and very costly.  Each time they admit me so that they can give me pain meds, IV fluids and wait for it to resolve itself.  Generally this takes 4-5 days.  At that time the surgeon said that there was nothing they can do for me.  They placed me on a regiment of daily laxatives, which I can no longer tolerate, so I take them every 3-4 days.  Not always do I end up having a bowel movement, but things move around and it buys me a day or 2 more, before I gave to take more laxatives.  In August 2007 and in September I had 2 more extremely painful events but chose to stay in bed rather than incur expensive hospital bills, when there is really nothing they can do for me.  However, since these last 2 events, nothing moves...  I am too uncomfortable.  Basically, as long as I don't eat....I'm ok.  But as soon as I do, I'm uncomfortable.  I have to schedule life around when I can take the laxatives.  I have lost about 55 pounds and I expect that to continue since things are not getting any better.  Given that the first opinion was "take laxatives", I sought another....  the second is recommending removal of my large colon.  The doc says that basically it is not working and is diseased.  I can continue to live like I am, or she can remove it.  Each day.....in the morning .....I think, I can deal with this.....by lunch, I am hungry, and might have a little soup and then by the afternoon...  I'm thinking....I can't deal with this....  

To further complicate things, the last surgeon "tacked my intestines to my abdnomen wall", and I just got a recall notice for the Bard Composite Kugal Patch that was used during the hernia repair surgery.  I am scared...totally...  and this is not helping my gut.  I don't know what to do!  Every decision I make seems like its a bad one.  I refer to myself as the "side affect"  - if something can go wrong, it will.  Can anyone out there help me with this decision??  What happens to a diseased colon if I just ignore it and keep taking the laxatives??  Today, I had Soup for lunch and I'm extremely uncomfortable...  Am I just a wimp....maybe I'll get used to the pain...it's only been since August???  I have heard of people doing the laxative regiment for years....  maybe i just haven't found what combination works for me yet?  Anyone ever have this proceedure???  One thing that scares me is that she said that I would have 3-6 bowel movements a day.  This seems incredible since I only have them once every 5-10 days.  I don't want to end up with a bag....  I'm afraid that surgery will make things worse......    If only she didn't imply that this was optional!!!   I am the primary EVERYTHING...44 year old Mom of 3 who drives and pickups for all school/after school events, is the bread winner, insurance carrier, homework monitor, plus all the stuff around the house...Basically, if I'm not doing it...it's not getting done.  

Doc said that if everything goes well, I'd be in the hospital 5-7 days, and that I'd be out of work approximately 4-6 weeks.....  Seems extreme....

So...any words of wisdom.....are thankfully appreciated.

[Morecambe]

Your problem sounds similar to that experienced by a patient who posted a question on the "ask a doctor" part of the G.I. forum.  Try and scroll back to a series of exchanges with the patient "mifegr" back on 11 August 2007.  There are 18 exchanges including submissions from me under my nickname Morecambe.

I won't attempt to summarise all the postings but I strongly suggest you read the (long) exchanges and hopefully you will find out all you need to know.
I'll watch this space and I'll be pleased to answer any questions that may arise.

Good luck
Morecambe