Lap V's Open surgery

[__JK__]

Hey everyone,

In a couple of weeks i'm due under the knife (again) for the 3rd time to have a few strictroplasties done. Both times before I've had open surgery. Normally I take everything in my stride but this is a BIG deal. I tried to discuss this with my surgeon (Top man btw, same guy as last time) with a view to maybe having it done with the laproscope. Straight away he said no, explaining that there is some disease present in the stricture sites and that would make the bowel very fragile and prone to bleeds, in which case he needs to be "hands on" to stop it.

So. What gives? I've read loads of stories here about people having resections and all sorts with the laproscope and some are back to work in less than a fortnight! I don't know what your experiences are with open surgery but the 5 inch gash up my belly takes some serious getting over. Last time for weeks I could barely lift a cup of tea without being in serious pain.

It doesn't look like there's a fat lot I can do about it but anyone got any thoughts on this?

JK

 

[Crohn's 35]

Hey Jk I had two resections and my second one was open. I talked to a top specialist who does nothing but colectoral and bowel cancer and intestines. I told him of my surgeries and he said it is rare to have even a second resection and further on because of scar tissues usually present.
But since the my second one was done with "general Surgeon" and he infected me severely and his big ego wouldn't let the better of him see that... that surgery was 2003 I have never been in remission. However this specialist said most second surgeries are done open. Even if you only had one laproscopy.

Yeah I got a 5incher lol. Maybe some others here are different, I would be totally surprised though. I know it is a vanity thing but YOU have to let the ego go and concentrate on getting better. Good luck with your surgery. What date?

 

[__JK__]

Thanks Pen, due in on the 22nd, not looking forward to that date. I had a terminal illium resection 2000, a right hemi colectomy 2010 and stricturoplasty this time. although technically i guess this is minor surgery compared to the first two, i'm sure it's the recovery from the incision that is tough to get over.

I've not been in remission now since 2007, really grinds you down eh? Just think when's it gonna stop. This surgeon i've got is a top colorectal guy so i'm not questioning him in the slightest just gutted that I gotta go through this again just 18 months after the last one.

 

[Crohn's 35]

I know I was sure my number 3 was coming up. If I can get passed 2013 (not superstitious of 13 it is my second fave number... my first surgery was 1993 the second 2003... staying away from the 3's lol. We will be thinking of you and try not to worry , (yeah right who am I kidding) You look very young in your picture and therefore I can see what a huge scar wouldnt be nice. It could be worse, it could be a bag. Not me though if a bag will help me ,I am going for it! Good luck and keep us posted before you go in and out!!

 

[Misty-Eyed]

Well I had all of my colon removed laproscopically 4 weeks ago today and I thought my recovery would be pretty fast due to the lack of a huge scar, but it really hasn't been. I know what I had done was major, but the lack of scars make me forget all that's been done on the inside! I'm still on the maximum painkiller amount that I'm allowed and I had lots of pain in my side.

I am getting better slowly and I improve every week. I just thought I'd be able to drive by now and I'm far from that! Of course I prefer laproscopic surgery compared to open but it's still not been easy. Plus they don't tell you about the AWFUL pain in your shoulder that can happen when they fill you up with air. That lasted a good few days!

Moral of the story... All surgery sucks. As long as its worth it in the long run, then I don't mind! Hope it all goes ok!

 

[SarahAnne]

It may have to do with having active disease present....my recent surgery was open, I had 12 inches removed and a resection. My surgeon said that he would have liked to do a strictureplasty, but it would have been irresponsible given all the active disease I have present around the areas. He said it would be leaving me with a much greater chance of developing fistulas. I trust his judgement.

I'm still a bit sore on occasion, but I know it is from doing more than I should. I'm not on painkillers anymore, I usually just sit down and rest for a bit when I start to hurt.

 

[LindaS]

I thought once you had an open surgery, then it was much harder to have a lap. Both mine were open, as when I had my first one, they didn't do them laproscopicaly, and my second was open because I had so much active disease and adhesions.