colectomy

[Renae241]

I have been advised to have a colectomy because of numerous (hundreds) pseudo-polyps.  I have been screened for a genetic colon cancer gene link and was found NOT to have the gene. Presently I have no colon "problems". I am 61 years old and in very good health.  Able to work out daily, play with grand children, bicycle with my husband.  I am a semi-retired accountant and work out of my home.  Will having this colectomy drastically change my life style?  My cardiologist feels my cardio risk is low for the surgery but I should consider how this will affect my healthy lifestyle.


This discussion is related to Pseudo Polyps.

[ng1031]

Thank you so much for your post. I see my colon surgeon on 11/23 to review my options. I had a sitz marker xray done after a million different other tests (my story here: http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Gastroenterology/Tortuous-Colon/show/1535243?personal_page_id=2196881) and the sitz marker xray came back significantly abnormal and the surgeon wants me to come in with my husband to discuss my options. I have been researching this online to try to come up with as many questions I can for him as well as just hear what others who have had this done have to say.

Any foods in particular you find to be the most bothersome? Right now I am already stricted on things.. I miss ice cream and cheese the most ha ha. But I manage. Just wondering if there are things I can't eat now that I might be able to eat if I do get this surgery and if there are things I can eat now that I might now be able to eat after wards.

I am very happy to hear that intercourse has been better for you. One of my many doctors did once tell me that with an empty colon or less full colon a woman actually will feel more and that it would be better. I was hoping this was the case if they remove it as well. And the fear of not being able to control your bowels during scares me.

I also work in an office and the bathroom is not super close to my desk so I pray that I recover as well as you do and I dont end up losing my job because of this change.

Did you have regular cut by knife surgery or laproscopic? I ask as I have heard they can do this both ways. And you mentioned issues with the fluid under your incision. What other types of complications did you have? Did you have an epideral for yours?

I am very happy to see there are still options for birth control as well. As I am on the birth control pills and have successfully not gotten pregnant on them and dont want that to change at this point.

Thank you again.. any feedback is greatly appreciated.

[ahealthy2011]

Hi I am a 24year old female. I had a total colectomy in Aug. 2011 in Dallas Texas. I have to say that I was so scared before but really had no choice but to do it. I have no bag just resectioned it. So far this is the best thing that has happened to me. The surgery took about 6 to 7 hours due to a build up of scar tissue but it was not bad. I was out of the hospital 3 days after the surgery. So far everything’s been good. I can finally go to the bathroom. Thank God. I have trouble eating some foods but seem to be getting the hang of it. I have had no problems with holding my bm's. I go 1-3 times a day. Not at all at night. I do have gas (and yea some of it was nasty. I tell ya I could clear a room like never before) but have found out that not eating dairy and cutting down on sugar makes it go away.
I feel so much better my life feels like mine again. When i was first approached about the surgery i was 100% against it. But now I know it was the best thing I have ever done. I did have a few complications during and after but all in all im ok.  

As for some of the questions for women here is what I’ve experienced. First of all as far as relations with my spouse things have not been this good in years. I have so much more feeling and it’s definitely GOOD. I was scared that my surgery would have made things weird or bad but not at all. I am able to control everything (as far as gas and bms) and have not had a problem with anything like that.
I have had no problems with any meds. I do have an IUD and have had no problems with that. Also because of that I have not had a period since March 2010.
I don’t know how it effects having children I have two and am not looking to have more. At least not right now.
Also I have had some problems with some depression. This by no means is a small surgery and can have some effects o ur emotions. But I’m doing better every day.
If you have any more specific questions please feel free to ask I will give you a honest answer to what I’ve experienced.

As of now I am going good. I’m still dealing with some fatigue and other things but to be honest it’s worth it and its livable.  
Also I want to make something clear please don’t be afraid to ask your doctor any questions you have. That’s what they are there for.
I did have a build up of fluid behind the incision so I had to have it opened a few days after surgery, which left a nasty scar. It was not fun packing it for three weeks but I was able to do it and had no infection. I unfortunately had kidney problems not due to the surgery. It’s a genetic thing. But the stress of the surgery caused me to have some problems there. But I’m doing ok.
Oh one other thing is that even though it may hurt and you may be tired or whatever you need to stay active. Don’t over due it but go walk around the house 4 to 5 times and move up as you heal up. Staying active will help you’re healing and help keep things moving.
Like I said if you have any questions please feel free to ask me. If you live in my area and are looking for a good doctor who is smart and knows what they are doing please ask and I will give you my doctor’s info. He was amazing.

[ng1031]

For the females who have had a total colectomy (smal intestine attached to rectum) can you tell me if this has effected you as a female? Are you able to control your BM's during sexual intercourse? Are you able to take medications like birth control or any other medications or do they not get absorbed into the body like they should since you are having frequent BM's? Also are you able to have children without a ton of side effects or issues? Has it effected your periods? Things of that nature... thanks all!

[ng1031]

Right after you had surgery were you able to control your bowels? And if not how long did it take till you were able to again?

[auntjojoberns]

I am so sorry you & your sis has to go through such suffering from this genetic disease...hope you are boht doing ok today??
God Bless
JoJo

[joec122681]

Mammo and all others of course....
     I too fall in the FAP category for colon cancer/issues. I had my surgery in jan 09. I am 29 now had it done when i was 27. Was diagnosed at around 22 due to pain in the abdomen which was gall bladder disease and pancreatitis. My sister (who has FAP) suggested to do an endo and colonoscopy to check me. Sure enough i already had over a hundred polops. However did not have the total collectomy yet. It wasnt until a few years later and a couple more attacks of pancreatitis that i went to have another series of scopes to check on thing. I was now almost in the thousands and pre-cancerous. Then still didnt do anything about it couple more years went by (the great things of this country not having health insurance), that i finally got insurance had scans and such done by a new professional for his own knowledge of me other than just my prior records he got from the past doctors. Finally had my surgery.
    
     More in point of my post, i had it done laproscopically. A few small incisions scars are all i have. One around 3 inches down at the lower abdomen. Its amazing how far they came with this stuff. My rectum was saved as my polops seemed to be further up only one or so in my rectum. Doctor didnt want to remove it unless necessary, since im young. It affects you sexually having it removed he says. Due to sexual organ nerves and such running through the area. My sister had the same surgery as far as not needing a bag, but they took her rectum and she didnt have it lapro. She was cut down like the past ways and its ashame this wasnt done the way like mine back with hers and anyone else back some time ago so you didnt have to go through the severe slicing if you will.