Should I have surgery for stricture

[EW8]

Hi, looking for advice as to whether or not to opt for surgery. I have had Crohn's for last 20 years, several surgeries, but responding to Humira. Currently struggling with a stricture. Only have 157cm of small intestine left so scared to lose any more. Am living on Modulen and eating very little, have done this for the past year. Am not worried about the surgery as such, but scared I will wake up and they have taken away so much that I end up on TPN and the transplant list. I need to be sure they would only do the bare minimum to resolve the stricture and no more. I could struggle on for a while yet, but think eventually I will be left with no choice. Can this sort of surgery be done laproscopically? See my Doctors later this month to discuss. If I had more gut I wouldn't be so worried.

 

[ronroush7]

Maybe you could discuss other options or explain your situation.

 

[Justanothercp]

What a tough situation. You always want to keep as much bowel as possible for as long as possible, but at some point quality of life becomes an issue. If the stricture was mostly caused by inflammation, you may bounce back. But if it has been going on for a year, more likely scarring... I know they can do bowel resections laparoscopically, but don't always opt to. Good luck, let us know what surgeon has to say. It's hard, because they will never make you a guarantee as to how much bowel they will have to take.

 

[ronroush7]

Keep us updated.