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How much can the Dr remove??

Mon, August 04, 2008 12:00 AM

I have a few questions and any help is greatly appreciated. I have over two feet of inflammation right now.

1)Is this too large to have removed?
2)How much can be removed at one time?
3)What are the negatives of having less length in the intestine?

Thanks!

tdheather
Joined Aug 3, 2008

Sun, August 10, 2008 4:15 AM

Reply posted for nicholemarie13.

Nicole Marie Could you please Email me? I have a Friend, and yes it really is a friend of mine. Who is having a rough time and I would like to get her in Contact with someone who has been there.

burnitall511@aol.com

-Thank you and Ill go more into it on Email.

-Matt

guardian83
Joined Aug 10, 2008

Wed, August 06, 2008 11:54 PM

Reply posted for tdheather.

Hi!

Four weeks ago I had surgery and had over two feet of my large intestine removed because of a large stricture due to Crohn's disease. In my case the stricture stretched the whole way to my rectum which was also inflammed so I was unable to have the good intestinal tissue reattached to my rectum so now I have a colostomy.

Having two feet of large intestined removed has been an interesting experience but since I now feel better it was worth it- colostomy or not. I'm not thrilled about having the colostomy because three days after the surgery I turned 27, so I'm still young and I don't have children but I hope that the future will bring advances in technology whereas I may be able to have this reversed.

I was scared to have the surgery- this was my first and if I could have lived with the pain longer I would have waited longer. Once someone goes in and starts cutting there is no turning back- chances are you will have to have many surgeries in the future. I don't know what medication you are on or what your doctor has recommended but if you could hold off and try to treat the disease with medication I would do that first. Remicade and Humira have actually healed parts of my small and large intestine- it just so happened that the stricture was what was causing my problems- otherwise I would have probably been in remission.

Please way all your options- I know it sucks not feeling good- I've spent the last five years feeling like crap the majority of the time. However, I am stubborn and no matter how bad I feel or how much pain I'm in I try not to let the Crohn's define who I am and what I'm going to do- even if I spend 1/3 of my day in the restroom!! I try to find the humor in it all. Now with the colostomy I'm going to have to learn to be more creative with my humor!

Good luck and I hope you start feeling better!

Nichole

nicholemarie13
Joined May 26, 2008

Mon, August 04, 2008 12:00 AM

Reply posted for tdheather.

Hello,

I know how hard this must be for you, surgery is a very scary thing, I have had 6 surgeries now and I am down to a total of 4ft of large and small intestine combined. I am doing pretty well in a flare up right now but with my doctor we are trying to get things under control. Recovery takes a while but not too bad, you will probably be in the hospital for a week and then sent home on either a low residue diet or a soft food diet, you will want to take it easy but make sure that you are walking around the house and moving. This will help you heal quicker. A little thing that helps me after surgery is to have a small pillow, like the ones they make for car rides those little ones, I hold this against my abdomin when I try to get out of bed or out of a chair or sofa, also when you are going to sneeze or cough or laugh the little bit of pressure you apply really helps.

I do hope things go well for you, I will put you in my prayers.

Littlestar

littlestar
Joined Jul 26, 2008

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