Loop ileostomy reversal

[Fighter914]

High everyone this is my first post. I have crohns and have had a loop ileostomy for a little over 4 months now. And am having a reversal the 7th of July. My questions are will I be on IV pain meds for the first few days after surgery ? ( just curisious because i have heard they try to give u them orally but I'm a little scared because i know i won't have anything on my stomach) second since I have had 4 different surgeries will they cut me open down the middle of my stomach? And how bad does it hurt? And is there anything anyone can tell me that might be important?

 

[SupportiveMom]

Hey Fighter sorry you are facing another surgery. I don't have any direct knowledge, just what i've seen from others in our Crohns Colitis local chapter group. Those that have been cut open (not laparoscopic) typically surgeons go back in similarly and don't opt for laproscopic. Your surgeon or the nurse should be able to confirm.

Can you tell me why the reversal?

 

[Fighter914]

Cause I hate the loop ileostomy. I heard the end ileostomy is easier. But my surgeon won't make it permanent

 

[UnXmas]

All surgeries depend on the individual - your health and medical history, and your individual surgeon and his/her preferences. I've had ten surgeries and only had IV painkillers for one of them. If you have a preference, mention it at your pre-operative assessment and to your surgeon or nurse on the day of your surgery. IV is generally used for very major surgeries. For other surgeries, oral is usually the first choice - less chance for complications than with an IV - but if there are reasons IV is more suitable they'll take it on a case by case basis. Is your worry that they will make you sick? Because IV opiates can do that too.

Laparascopic surgeries are done where possible. I don't think the number of surgeries you've had previously will affect that. Or do you think you have adhesions or scar tissue that will make laparoscopic surgery difficult?

How much it hurts depends mainly on how much pain relief you're being given!

But you need to ask your surgeon. I have an end ileostomy, I find it much better than the loop ileostomy I used to have because the loop always blocked.

 

[Fighter914]

Well found out today My reversal is not going to be done laparoscopic. And I didn't ask him about pain med I never gotten oral pain med after any of my surgeries until about the 3rd day. I just don't like the pain and want to be pain free as much as possible. And I never really had oral pain med take the pain away to much. Can anyone tell me what I feel like when I wake up?

 

[UnXmas]

IV pain meds may be stronger, but the withdrawal can be worse. When I had IV pain meds, I'd rather have had the pain than the withdrawal I ended up with. I've had major surgery with no pain meds at all, and that was better than the withdrawal.

I honestly don't find open surgery any more painful than laparoscopic, though I know generally you're told it's more painful.

What surgeries have you had previously? That will be your best idea of how you'll feel. Pain's too subjective and variable for anyone else to give you an accurate idea.

 

[Fighter914]

I have have had 3 bowel restrictions

 

[UnXmas]

I wouldn't have thought the pain of this will be any worse than the resections, assuming you receive similar pain relief.

 

[Fighter914]

And I had to get the ileostomy because i leaked. But I honestly wouldn't mind having a perminant ileostomy. I like the fact of not having diarrhea and no sore butt. But the surgeon won't make it perminant. So I picked the reversal

 

[UnXmas]

Did he give a reason for not making it permanent? Mine's permanent because I chose it to improve my quality of life, not out of absolute necessity.

 

[SupportiveMom]

I'm curious too why doc wouldn't make it permanent. My kid's surgeon said her subtotal colectomy will be as permanent as either we want it to be, or her rectum/ small intestines decides. Our case is a little more complex because no one can make up their mind on what IBD she has anymore. Surgeon thinks we should keep the bag until at least she has kids (10+ yrs) and let the organs decide if they ever can be reconnected. If the rectum disease gives her no issues, no need to remove it all. If it does, then the rest of the rectum goes.

Where was the leak from? So many nuances with this disease! ugh!