Hi, In November I had my sigmoid colon removed, because it was "tortuous" and had a rectal prolape fixed. I have had chronic constipation for 12 years, starting after I had the nissan fundoplasy surgery for severe reguritation. My constiaption is not better after the surgery--a recent marker study showed all markers left after 6 days. My colon surgeon recommended a total colectomy with ileoanal anastomosis--she wanted to have my small bowel motility studied before another surgery. Anyway my small turns out to be fine. However, a GI surgeon talked to me about the results and he's recommending a temporary ileostomy to see if the problem is corrected. If the ostomy works then he thinks I should proceed with the total colectomy. I just don't know what to do--I take Miralax, zelnorn, stool softeners and MOM laxatives, but all this only works if I use and enema and half the time I have a problem getting the enema liquid out--I am only 32 and very healthy besides this constipation. I have been to the emergency room twice for impaction in the past month and before the surgery I had been to the emergency room quite a few times--the stool is so hard that it sometimes won't come out. I have had the following tests: defecography, colonoscopy (showed fibrosis--no one ever explained what the meant, so if you know that would be fantastic and mild colitis), anorectal manometry, gastic emptying and the small bowel motility test were all normal.
My question is --is it better to have 3 surgeries--the ostomy, reversal and then colectomy, or just go for the total colectomy.? Also one surgeon put me on a super high fiber diet--50grams a day--then the other surgeon told me to go on a low-residue diet indefinitely, which is better--I feel awful on both diets--I am so confused It's difficult having two surgeons giving different opinions. I don't have insurace right now so getting a third opinion from a surgeon is not in the budget as I am saving for a possible surgery.
also, is it dangeroous to have that enema liquid inside me? I get horrible cramps if I don't get it all out, and have to call in sick to work.
Thanks very much!