large intestine/ colon removal

Hello, I am a 19 female and I was just told by my doctor that I have Colon Inertia and would eventually have to get all but about 5 inches of my colon removed. I currently suffer from sever constipation, bloating, cramping and gas.
First of all I am unsure why they wont just take all of it; what does 5 inches do?
Second I am curious as to what kinds of foods I can eat after I get the surgery because I am very much of a health nut and I love my fruits and veggies!
Third, I am currently at a fairly healthy weight, I know that initially after surgery it is common to lose weight but in the long term do people gain a lot of weight even with exercise or do they just go back to about what they were before?
Lastly about activities, I am currently in college and I am afraid that I will be running to the bathroom in the middle of lectures or while I am working out at the gym? I also like to travel and camp a lot and I am afraid of the multiple times everyone says they have to go to the bathroom.
Please answer all of my questions!! I am terrified as to whether or not i should just live with the constipation or just go ahead with the surgery...

[CalGal]

Crs, check some of Morecambe's posts. His colon was removed (for reasons other than constipation, I believe) and he has learned how to modulate his diet to help with some of the effects of the removal of that portion of the digestive system.

[Morecambe]

The actual posting that Calgal referred to can be found on:-

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

Although regular #2 toilet visits are a feature after this surgery, the frequency does reduce over time.  Any weight that you lose after the surgery is easily regainable if your structure your diet to "slightly over your usual number of daily cals" - maybe 2250-2300 instead of a normal 2000.

The liquidity of your motoins can be lessened by eating a high fibre diet (to include pulverised fresh fruit + bran, pulverised fresh beg + bran, wholemeal bread etc etc).  I liken this to mopping up a liquid spillage on the kitchen floor by throwing sawdust on the liquid in order to make it more semi-solid etc.

Removal of the colon is a big operation but I suspect that the discomfort and inconvenience of the operation will - over your lifetime - prove worthwhile compared to the propsect of "feeling less than 100%" due to chronic constipation.

regards
Morecambe

[ng1031]

I an in the same boat you are. The 5ft your dr is talking about.. is it your large intestine??

[ng1031]

Has anyone had there large intestine removed and had their small intestine attached to their rectum for colonic inertia and ended up with constipation after surgery? I heard that is a risk factor. That you can get the surgery but there might be a chance you will have constipation again one day. Also has anyone had their large intestine removed for colonic inertia and then their small intestine eventually give out on them? What happened then