Post surgery problems

[BJ43]

I had surgery to remove a cancerous growth from my colon 3 months ago. It was successful and was assured that all was removed. I did not have to have any further treatments like chemo or radiation . I am so lucky! My promblem is that I have what the Drs think is a narrowing of the colon due to scar tissue and illimination is very painful and not very regular without milk of mag or fibre supplements or stool softeners.     The last visit to gastro Dr and Surgeon I was told they could do a balloon stretching of the colon. I am scared of any more procedures. I do not know what that procedure is called and I cannot find much info on it. Does anyone have any suggestions as I really need some answers at this time. thanks **

[paperstub]

I had colon surgey in Feb 08 and July of 08 started having pain. A cat scan showed scar tissue. I now have had ten weekly ballooning and it has opened up my colon and no more pain. The procedure is not painfull and I recomend you have it done. My procedure was done by the VA in Indy.

[CalGal]

**, any operation/procedure is risky, but this one really is the 'lesser' of some of them. Your colon normally expands when the 'leftover' contents passes through - it's had years of experience getting bigger and smaller. It's made to do that - very muscular. Unfortunately, with the resection, many develop narrowing at the site of the 'splicing,' and one of the better ways of handling things is by ballooning. Ballooning is done in many areas of the body - including the trachea and the esophagus when people have problems with those tubes. When the procedure is done in skilled hands, it's a relatively easy procedure. As long as you don't have a 'thinner' section than normal that you're dealing with - and you shouldn't based on what you're saying - the stretching should go well.

[BJ43]

Thanks for your response, so you would not be afraid of this procedure? I am afraid that the colon could tear and I would have to have it surgically repaired! I have been thru so much already but I am definately considering this because on a daily basis I am miserable the way I am.

[CalGal]

Basically, they use a scope which has a small 'balloon' device on the end at the location of the obstruction. They then inflate the balloon to stretch in lining within the colon, hopefully opening/enlarging the narrowed portion of the colon. It's definitely worth a try.