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Ileocecectomy of 12 " and Malabsorption


Mon, May 04, 2009 8:43 AM

Does anyone know if missing 12 inches of distal ileum and cecum causes any malabsorption other than B-12?  If so is it fat or carbs?  I am trying to lose weight.


I suffer from gas and frequency and sometimes urgency.

Otherwise no pain and unfortunately gained back all the weight lost during the preceeding flare and wish to control my weight downards. 

FPO penwestern
Joined Jan 13, 2009

Wed, May 06, 2009 12:00 AM

 Reply posted for RJB10345.

Bob,


Thank you for the advice and leading me to the website.  I attended a CCFA symposium and was given many free samples of metamusil and I enjoy the cinnamon cookies.  I am taking monthly B-12 injections now.  My blood tests show normal range for B-12 and normal on just about everything else.

In my case even though I am missing the cecum now I am much better physically than before.  The surgery helped me a great deal.

Thanks again!

FPO penwestern
Joined Jan 13, 2009

Tue, May 05, 2009 9:39 PM

 Reply posted for penwestern.

Penwestern - All the B-Complex vitamins are known as water vitamins and are absorbed in the small intestine.  With Crohn's, these vitamins are not absorbed well at all.  See the following website for what the B-Complex vitamins are: www.ext.colostate.edu/PUBS/FOODNUT/09312.html

If you have had your ileocecal valve removed when you had your resectioning of the ileum, then food moves faster through the small intestine with less water being absorbed.  That leaves more water in the large bowel to be absorbed, which most times leads to the diarrhea that folks with Crohn's are destined to have.  Before I started taking Humira, which has virtually stopped the diarrhea, I would take a heaping teaspoon of Metamucil (found at your local drug store) twice a day; once after breakfast and again after dinner. That would pretty well help to give me at least formed stools.  I still needed to relieve myself 2-3 times a day, but it was on my schedule not my bowels!  Good luck with it! - Bob

FPO rjb10345
Joined Nov 23, 2008

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