First surgeon visit - questions?

[Catherine]

I need help with questions for surgeon. Our first appointment with the surgeon is on Wednesday. He specialises in bowel surgery.

Reason for this review is to discuss MRI which showed possible fistula. Her imflammatory markers are normal (ESR and CRP) but faecal calprotectin is increased.

At this stage we are hoping that aza can be increased awaiting blood test results and tapering off pred(20mg) by 5 per week.

Questions so far only if laparoscopy is recommend.
What is the recovery time?
How soon can she return to swimming?

Thanks

 

[Patricia56]

Where is the fistula located? What two parts does it appear to connect?

This will have an influence on the questions and options for treatment to some extent.

The typical initial treatment is to place a seton drain which I don't believe requires laproscopy but I am certainly no expert.

Anyway, I am sorry to hear of this new wrinkle and hope it is a figment of the radiologist's imagination.

I'm sure others will be along who have more experience with this and can advise you.

 

[Catherine]

Sarah disease is now confined to 30cm of small bowel, about 5-10 cm further that colonscopy can reach.

The radiologistis unsure whether it a fisulas, also said it could be fissures or blood vessels.
There is possibilty of a phlegmon.

 

[Sascot]

I believe a laparoscopy is quite a simple operation (if they are not actually fixing anything) if they are just having a look with the camera. Stitches tend to come out after a week but I would imagine she would need a bit longer to make sure the skin is healed completely before returning to swimming. Good luck with the appointment on Wednesday.

 

[upsetmom]

Good luck with the appointment.

 

[DustyKat]

We have never been into a consult with a laparoscopy being a possibility. I guess if it were me I would ask:

How do you perform a laparoscopy?

How long will it take?

What will you will be looking at?

Do you take any biopsies and/or pictures whilst doing the procedure?

Is there anything else you do whilst doing the procedure?

What will happen after the surgery?

Will there be any tubes, IV's?

What wounds will she have?

When will you speak to us and tell us the results?

How long will she be in hospital?

What can we expect from her recovery?
Is there anything we should be aware of?

How long before she can resume normal activities and sports?

Dusty.

 

[Catherine]

Dusty, you actually got me thinking. I have had laparoscopy myself it was over 18 years ago. It is very minor surgery. I had it on the Wednesday and was back work the following Monday. And now I think about it I got results in recovery.

Great questions, thanks

 

[Farmwife]

I hope the appointment goes well.
Hugs

 

[Catherine]

The surgeon advice is to hold steady as Sarah has no symptoms. He understands why the radiologist thinks it maybe a fistula and show us what looked like a black cross.

It amazing how see can see the thickened bowel on the mri.

The problem with doing a laparoscopy just to check is just by going in can result in bowel damage. If we decide to a laparoscopy it will be fix the problem by removing this part of the bowel but we are not at that point yet.

 

[Sascot]

That's good that they are happy to leave things as they are. At least you have the option to do the laparoscopy in the future if needed.

 

[Catherine]

Yeh, direction do nothing hope aza is working. See surgeon in 3 months when she off pred.

 

[upsetmom]

How long does she have to be on pred for?

 

[kimmidwife]

Glad to hear he is not in a rush to do surgery! That is usually a sign of a good doctor. Hopefully it will clear up with the meds. Will keep her in my prayers and fingers crossed!

 

[Catherine]

Don't get me wrong I am very glad he not in hurry to do anything. Sarah is taping pred at 5mg a week and from tomorrow will be on 15mg.

We are in a holding pattern until we get the aza results back.

Going to ask about iron influsion? and b12 injections they are appear to be our only options regarding treatment at the moment.