Another Illeosecal resection...should I be worried?

[Sherada]

Hello all,

So I had a colonoscopy yesterday and my doctor told me the the sight of my last resection is narrowed and said he would have me see a surgeon for another surgery... I've been feeling great lately and my colonoscopy last year went with flying colors...last year my colonoscopy was performed by a different doctor and he said everything looked great aside from some minor inflammation... should I be doubtful that this "narrowing" could have occured again in a mere 10 months??? I don't understand really...but my doctor was like "even though you feel fine now doesn't mean that the problem can't get worse" I know thats true but idk... should i get a second opinion?

The second dilemma I have and am stressed about is that I just started this new job and I cannot take FMLA until next year so in fear of losing my job (as I am the only income for my family) I would like to wait till next year to get the surgery done... I know i need to talk to my doctor and ask his opinion if i can wait... but i feel i have to ... i can't lose my job :|

I'm worried about having this procedure done again... not only was the whole ordeal the worst part of my life but I mean how many resections before I have to have a colostomy bag ... I really do not want to have a bag... i know no one does... but I just can't see myself ever being happy if that has to happen

Any comments, opinions, or support would be so welcome

Thank you,
Sherada

 

[nogutsnoglory]

I would get a second and third opinion before going under the knife. If your narrowing is mostly due to inflammation, that can possibly be healed by medication. If its scar tissue you will need surgery but how narrow it is depends on how long you can wait.

As for a bag it really varies and depends where they cut and the style of the surgeon. Some put a bag on most patients for a few months to provide healing and then reverse. I know people with very little resected who ended up with a bag and also know someone with 5 feet of intestine left without a bag. Just be very clear what the surgeon plans on doing.

 

[pammy]

If you get a second opinion, I would do it quickly. I didn't have surgery when it was suggested, and ended up with a nasty fistula, which did heal. An area of anastomosis can close up that quickly if you are not responding well to your meds. Do you have a good relationship with your surgeon? What's his opinion?

 

[ForeverCrohns]

I agree with nogutsnoglory! Also I had a 1 foot narrowing for 13 years until I had a resection last year so it all depends on your condition and usually surgeons don't decide surgery for Crohns unless it is necessary.

 

[AJC - Australia]

second opinion needed.....only go under the knife if your quality of life is terrible!!!

Depends which bit of gut they are operating on...if they are removing the large bowel, that is when a bag really comes into reality. your problem might be in small bowel?

 

[Sherada]

Hello Guys thank you all for replying... at the moment my quality of life is great... i have energy and 0 pain or cramps, I'm eating normally and keeping everything down ... I've decided to definately wait a little while for the surgery... since I'm in a new place I have to get a new surgeon so I will go and talk to one and see what they think also I would like to talk to my Old GI who did my colonoscopy last year and see what he thinks. I understand that I am taking a risk with waiting and that it could worsen or remain the same. I will keep you up to date when I know more

 

[nogutsnoglory]

Hello Guys thank you all for replying... at the moment my quality of life is great... i have energy and 0 pain or cramps, I'm eating normally and keeping everything down ... I've decided to definately wait a little while for the surgery... since I'm in a new place I have to get a new surgeon so I will go and talk to one and see what they think also I would like to talk to my Old GI who did my colonoscopy last year and see what he thinks. I understand that I am taking a risk with waiting and that it could worsen or remain the same. I will keep you up to date when I know more

If you feel great then you may be right to hold off. Surgery has its complications and I have had operations I regret. Before I had any surgeries I had no diarrhea and post-op the diarrhea never stopped. We need to preserve as much intestine as possible to maintain proper nutrient absorption and water in case of the colon. Definitely get another opinion and find a medication that may open up some of that inflammation if its determined to exist.