Small Bowel Resection

[adam87]

Hi Everyone.

It's my first post on this site. I have read stories on here in the past but never posted, anyway, here goes.

I'm after some advice/previous experiences from you guys.

I am due to have a small bowel resection due to scar tissue making strictures. I have been put on Modulen IBD milkshakes so i am not in lots of pain trying to eat/digest food , and am feeling pretty good while taking it. I am just worried that i may need an ileostomy. (My surgeon said he saw some swelling on a barium Xray that was done 2 months ago!)

Have any of you had a resection without having a stoma? and how was the recovery? I have presiously had an ileostomy, and resection due to a previous blockage (it was an emergency operation rather than a planned one like the one i will be having.)

I have had Crohn's for about 10 years, had 1 resection, an ileostomy that has been reversed, a seton drain in to drain an abcess, and plenty of colonoscopies etc.

Any advice/ information would be great, Thanks.

 

[Crohn's 35]

Hi there :welcome: glad you decided to finally join . I have had two resections at the Ileum and dont have much left. I am avoiding a 3rd surgery, getting a scope tomorrow.

I have not had a ileostomy and from what I do hear from others it was the best thing they did. My first resection was laproscopic and almost all the following surgeries are done open. The second one was done by an old fart general surgeon and made a mess , never fully recoverd from that , since 2003. As we ALL know since there is not a cure the less they take out the better, because the incidence of coming back is usually faster. This is what my almost retired Gi told me and I am his most complicated patient.

Ask your doctor/surgeon what he plans to do, sometimes they change their minds once they go in, sometimes not as bad or worse. Sorry I am not painting a good picture but I could tell you lies and you would not like to come out with a nasty surprise.

Having a planned one is a better option. I do know that post surgery Flagyl agressively helps to keep it at bay. Then most go on a maintenance drug. It usually takes most surgeries (depending on age and fitness) about 6-8 weeks for open. When is your surgery?

Please keep us update ok?

 

[adam87]

Hi Pen
Sounds like you have not had the best of times with it either.

I will keep you updated. i have it on 20th Feb. My surgeon said he would do the resection, and i asked that he doesnt give me a stoma, and he said if i need one, he will give me one. i dont think he can promise anything without opening me up as you said.

They have said i can go on Infliximab once i recover from surgery as a maintanance drug, but we will see what happens.

I hope everything goes ok for you tomorrow too.

 

[Crohn's 35]

Thanks adam... I dont fear the scope itself, he gives amazing drugs . It is the not eating today and the results. Good surgeons only take out what they need too. All the best. Everything will be just fine, others will chime in from your country too. WE have a great crew here. :hang:

 

[scott 4216]

Hi Adam, I have two resections one in 1988 (horrible surgeon and scar) and the other in 2008. Resections went well and I did not need an ileostomy. Two of my biggest frustrations were that my crohns disease came back very quickly and I developed a incisional hernia that has been a royal pain. I have had two surgeries to fix, and the most recent was a complete abdominal reconstruction that I had three weeks ago. My major issues now are these damn abcesses and fistula's.

I would not freak out to much, there are many things that go on with this disease. Whatever happens I hope it approves your quality of life because that is the most important item.

Hope things go well.

 

[Angrybird]

Hi Adam and welcome to the forum I have only had the one op and whilst I was warned about a stoma I didn't need one in the end... not sure how things change when it comes to having a 2nd one. I was also on the Modulen drinks leading up to it and thought they didn't taste that bad, only managed 6 a day whilst my dietician was hoping for 10 but that was just too much liquid for me. I do hope this goes smoothly for you and that the stoma is not required. Please let us know how you get on.

NB If you don't mind me asking where abouts are you in the UK?

Pen - good luck for tomorrow :hug: