Having Last 1/3 of Large Intestine Removed (Sigmoidostomy??)

[hhh87]

Having Last 1/3 of Large Intestine Removed (Sigmoidectomy??)

Sorry if I don't have the correct lingo, part of why I am posting. I see a lot of different types of -ectomys, and haven't caught what exactly mine has called when it rolled of my doctor's tongue. If I am having a very common procedure, please feel free to point me in the right direction and delete this thread. It seems like most people have some involvement with the small intestine, which I do not.

My doctor told me this procedure was best case scenario of needing surgery, because I am still left with lots of large intestine and he also said my colon and rectum are not diseased and will be spared. He said that my quality of life would greatly increase, with perhaps 2-3 less formed movements a day.

I have read many surgery experiences on here where people state that while their doctor claims they are "Crohns free" after surgery, they are living over the toilet more than they were before the surgery. I am really hoping this has more to do with the small intestine and does not apply to me.

Thanks in advance, this site has been invaluable in my research.

 

[vonfunk]

Generally it's when the entire colon is removed that people tend to go 6 times a day or so and it's watery or like porridge.

You'll need to go slightly more, but not to that extent. You may need to slow it down y taking fibre or something like immodium. But it shouldn't affect you too much.

 

[Jer's Girl]

Good luck! I hope both your surgery and recovery go really well!

 

[hhh87]

Thanks!!

No one else has had this or something similar done?

Also, it's occurred to me that stomach pain and D are not the only symptoms I have. Fever, fatigue, joint pain, etc. I'm hoping that being "Crohn's Free" will mean these symptoms are gone as well...

 

[Tesscorm]

Hi,

As my son was only diagnosed with Crohn's a couple of months ago, my knowledge/experience is limited but, my understanding is that surgery is not a cure for Crohn's and that, unfortunately, if it is Crohn's that you have, you will not be Crohn's free. Although, it seems that, for many people, surgery does push them into remission.

However, I believe that surgery can be a more permanent solution (not sure if it's exactly a 'cure') for ulcerative colitis.

Good luck! Hope all goes well!! :smile:

 

[vonfunk]

Living over the toilet, as you put it, is generally when the entire colon is removed and then later they reattach it. For a lot of people it is an improvement. I would wander over to the stoma forum.

The joint pain will most likely still exist, on the diseased tissue in the digestive tract is removed, but the peripheral issues will still exist.

 

[glum chump]

Hi hhh:

As Vonfunk advised, you might want to peruse the Stoma subforum...there's lots of great information there.

Since my ileostomy (May/11), my joint pains (knees and wrist) are gone. I've had no stomach pain/cramping or urgent need to rush to the bathroom. I've had fever and chills, but it was because of a large amount of infected fluid that was left over in my stomach after surgery. After they finally got me on appropriate antibiotics, I've not had chills, fever, high temperature, night sweats, nausea, lack of appetite etc.

Granted, I still fatigue easily, but that might be due to the fact that I went in for surgery really malnourished and underweight and lost even more weight while in hospital. Because I was super-sick for three months prior to surgery, I lost a lot of muscle and have really been working at getting my weight back up. I also think that part of the fatigue is due to several complications I had post-surgery. Having said this, the last two days have really been a turnaround for me. I've only laid down for an hour in the afternoon, but otherwise have been active. I've walked the dog for the first time in eight months, and finally started doing a lot more chores around the house. I'm quite thrilled at the difference surgery has made.

At the time of my surgery, they had removed all signs of inflammation and the parts of my digestive system that were left were "Crohn's free." Given surgery is not a guarantee of "Crohn's free" or remission for life, I'll take whatever/however long I get.