Surgery

[lseibert]

Hello everyone,

I wanted to find out if anyone has had this happen and what happens next.

I had a strictureplasty last February 10 of 18 cm, they didn't want to remove any bowel, because of this being my first surgery, for Crohn's. Well it's nine months later and in the area between the strictureplasty and my ileocecal valve, about 3 inches, it's "the size of a string" the radiologist said.
3 weeks earlier, my gastro doctor did a colonoscopy to dilate the area and it didn't work, so I still had pain all the time.

Now they are going to remove the strictured area because the wall are too damaged to repair.

What I'm wondering is, will I have diarrhea all the time after this?

I had the first surgery open, and this one will be lap, is the recovery time easier?

I'm very thankful for this site, and for the insight it offers.

Thank you, Linda

 

[Grant]

Hi Linda, ref diarrhea not necessarily. I was near as you can get to normal BM's 4 weeks post my last surgery last year. Eating more fiber helps bulk things up obviously once the specialist gives you the ok. Laproscopic is less invasive & should lead to quicker recovery times, but as always its what they find when they get in there that dictates what needs doing. Really hope it works for you & you get long term relief this time.
Good luck
Grant

 

[Crohn's 35]

Hey Linda is really depends on how much they take out and exactly where. I had both surgeries done in the Ileum, first one Lap and the other open. The second one was the worst for diahreah but I took Questran for about a year or so and now I don't use anything. But as I always say, we are all different! When is your surgery date? Good luck btw!

 

[lseibert]

Grant and Pen,

Thanks for the reply and well wishes!!

Grant, I know what you mean about "what they find when they get in there that dictates what needs doing".... wish I could know before, I'll keep my fingers crossed. I had severe diarrhea for 14 years before my DX and I really hate to go back to that.

Pen, I'll have to keep the Questran in mind after, just in case. And I don't know the date of the surgery until Monday, when I meet with the surgeon.

Thanks again I'm trying to stay calm, not much else I can do......

 

[DustyKat]

Hey Linda, :bigwave:

Well as you know my two kiddos have had resections, they have both been open so not sure about the lap but I would well imagine recovery would be easier than when you are cut.

Sarah had 68cm of bowel removed and did suffer with chronic diarrhoea following her surgery. She took Questran and it certainly worked for her but found it too unpalatable. She eventually happened upon natural psyllium husks and they work a treat for her, so that may be an alternative for you should you need it.

Matt had 28cm of bowel removed and he has had loose bowel motions too but not to the extent that Sarah has. He started using psyllium as well with good effect but I notice he has slowed off with it so things must be taking up a little.

I think the thing they both find is that when they do need to go it takes two or three trips to fully empty the bowel and lose that feeling of needing to go.

They will take out a little more than the affected area and if it is your terminal ileum you need to have the caecum and ileocaecal valve removed and a little of your large bowel. The only reason they do this is to be able to join together the small bowel effectively to an adjoining structure and the next best structure is the large bowel.

I think with the amount you are talking about things will most likely settle over time, if not there are ways and means around it!

Good luck hun, I reckon you are going to just fine...:goodluck:

Dusty. xxx

 

[lseibert]

Thanks Dusty,

I really appreciate the advice on how to manage the diarrhea after surgery, even if it takes some time. Thank you for the encouragement!!

Hope all is well with Sarah and Matt through the holidays........

Linda xxx