2nd Bowel Resection after 30 years

[danmiller3]

Howdy -
I had my first bowel resection for a stricture (as a result of Crohn's) almost 30 years ago. I have been incredibly lucky that I have been surgery free since that time.

The luck has run out. Scar tissue and intermittent blockages are sending me back under the knife in May. The surgeon feels optimistic it can be done laparoscopically (although he said there is a decent chance it turns open based on previous history). He estimates in the hospital 2-3 days which is a world of difference from when I was a kid and had this surgery.

Anyone out there with similar experiences? Surgery has changed quite a bit in this time. I've read the threads on what to expect. It seems straight forward enough. Any tips/advice?

Thanks,
--Dan

 

[June1956]

I just had a resection for Crohn's two weeks ago, about 8" came out, trailing end of small bowel and beginning of large. It was laparoscopic and went very well. Not sure how that compares to how much you might need removed, but I can say that techniques have made great advances. Only in hospital overnight and 5 incisions for the surgery, largest near belly button. They gave me a morphine shot near my spine before the surgery to desensitize the nerves around the bowel etc., saying that on average people went home one day earlier with that extra bit of treatment.

Good Luck to you, I hope your surgery goes very well.

 

[24601]

Just wanted to wish you good luck! I have no experience with laparoscopic surgery - all four of my operations (resections and strictureplasties) between 2001-2014 have been open procedures because there was just too much work to do, plus also later I had adhesions and an abscess so even if it had been a simple surgery otherwise I think that rules laparoscopic out.

It's really interesting to hear about the advances with surgery though and I'm glad this is an option for you with a second surgery! Keep us updated!

Interested to hear if you've been on any meds over the years? Or did the disease just stay away? Always great to hear of those who have long periods of remission.

 

[highlandsrock]

I had my first surgery in 1979 and the next one in 2010 (not keyhole). I kept a diary going throughout the process. It lives here - http://www.crohnoid.com/p/oct-2010-post-op-in-hospital.html

If you are likely to lose your terminal ileum in the operation has anyone talked to you about Bile Acid Malabsorption? It's a subject which, in my opinion, doesn't get discussed widely enough