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.

[ConflictedReSurgery]

Hello-  I don't know if you are still checking this posting site, but if so, I wonder how things are going for you now? Did you have your colon removed? I am scheduled to have mine removed in about a month, and I am really afraid/ considering backing out.  Have you had trouble maintaining your weight (if you had the surgery done) or do you tend to put more on? I too have that concern, as I don't know what it will be like not taking all of the prescriptions and OTC meds for constipation that the Dr prescribed.  If you had the surgery, are you happy with it?  Are there challenges that you wish you were aware of prior to? I am worried about having urgency to go to the bathroom and making working in a setting where I have to travel quite a bit and not being nearby a restroom all of the time. Could you let me know if you have trouble with frequency and not having a lot of control?

Thanks in advance for your info!

[Morecambe]

I think you might find that the effects of the surgery and being fed via IV afterwards might cause an immediate loss of weight.  Thereafter normal disciplined eating/calorie counting etc etc should prevent a build up of your weight.  On the assumption that you will find it much easier/normal to go to the toilet for a #2 the dilemma of whether your weight is building up due to the retention of inpacted faecal material will not be relevant any more.  In other words "volume in = volume out".

Now, please have a look at my above posting dated 20 May 2008....

I found that both the frequency of #2 visits after my surgery and also the modification to my faecal material from "very liquid/loose" to "muddy/sludgy" could be achieved by a high fibre diet.  For example:-

- pulverised fresh fruit to which organic bran has been added
- pulverised fresh vegetables to which organic bran has been added
- organic wholemeal bread
- for breakfast homemade muesli (soak organic oats in milk, add bran, grated fruit, lemon juice, nuts etc.  It looks like wet cement but it tastes OK).
- no white bread, junk foood, colas etc
- and yes, you are allowed some Swiss chocolate if you wish!!

Good luck

regards
Morecambe

[Elizabeth461024]

Hi,
I am getting Ready to have this surgery This week being June 28th.
I have been reading allot of post regarding this surgery and have seen several people say that they have had weight gain. This really really scares me. This may sound bad But that worries me more then anything. I try very hard to keep my weight in check. But the last few months it has been impossible. I am having this surgery do to severe constipation along with IBS.
I am not to worried about having a BM 8 times a day as this is better then not going for weeks at a time and having to take lots of drugs every day. not to mention the Pain I go thru almost every day.
I am not to sure what I should be eating after all is said and done

Can you tell me if you had this happen to you.

[Morecambe]

While scrolling through previous postings I've just noticed your question addressed to me dated 16 November 2011.  Apologies for overlooking this!

After my total colectomy surgery I was given pain relief via a spinal epidural which "numbed" my torso from the lower chest area to the waist.  Hence I could not feel the build-up of motions (very runny as previously described) in the rectum.  To counteract this I was put into "adult nappies".  As I was connected to I.V. tubes etc, the nurses had to "clean up" several times a day since there was a regular flow of runny motions.  After about five days when the epidural needle was withdrawn then the "full rectum" sensation could be felt and I was able to walk to the toilet in the normal way.

Thereafter, after leaving hospital, the frequence of #2 motions was as per my original posting.

I hope that these comments may still be of interest even after the long response time for which I again apologise.

regards
Morecambe

[BrennaMary]

It doesn't seem like you've posted in a while, but I was hoping you can tell me how your son prevents dehydration. I am 34 and a runner. I will probably have this surgery in April, and that's a question I haven't had answered yet. Thanks.

[calu287]

Hello, I'll have part of my colon removed due to colon inertia and reading your story I would like to know the doctor's name, and also did you lose a lot of weight?
Thank you