Surgery questions.....
Thu, September 06, 2012 5:47 PM
I posted this the other day in the wrong topic...
I am really confused about surgery pertaining to UC...
I've read where some of you have had your colon removed or reattached...what is each one called(the surgery)?
How long were you hospitalized for? If you have your colon removed you don't have a bowel movement the usual way, correct?
How often do you empty your bag?
Does it smell? Do you put a new bag on each time(disposable)?
If you have a bag do you feel the urge like you have to have a bowel movement?
I know these might seem like silly questions but I'm not very knowledgeable with most of it...
Thank for answering....
jhurleyJoined Aug 30, 2012
Fri, September 21, 2012 6:15 PM
Reply posted for jhurley.
Hi,
My husband had ileostomy and osmosis surgery in a one part operation. He has been in the hospital for 14 days and I feel this is not normal. The first week he had a lot of pain and puking. Second week he started to eat and drink some but still a ton of pain. Today he had a ct scan that showed partial blockage so they are going to insert a tube. He says he feels a lot of gas pains, stomach pains, and pain from a skin tag he developed. Has anyone experienced something similar? i am worry that there is something more the doctors are missing. It seems like such a long time not to be able to function because of pain. He has been eating and drinking but not enough to maintain himself. He had to have a few iv's because of hydration. Help has any experienced this or has any pointers? What about ski tags ddo they go away? THANKS!
robnoelleJoined Sep 21, 2012
Mon, September 10, 2012 1:31 PM
Reply posted for jhurley.
I've read where some of you have had your colon removed or reattached...what is each one called(the surgery)? Colon removal = colectomy. If your small instestine is used to form a pouch, which connects to your anus (eliminating need for an ostomy), this is called Ileo-Pouch Anal Anastamosis (IPAA), or, more commonly J-pouch surgery.
How long were you hospitalized for? I was told 5-7 days is average for each surgery (mine was done in 2 steps). I was in the hospital 4 days after the first surgery, and 8 days after the second.
If you have your colon removed you don't have a bowel movement the usual way, correct? If you have an ileostomy, then you'll use an ostomy bag to collect stool, which will be coming out of a stoma on your abdomen. If you have the J-pouch though, you'll poop just like everyone else - although probably more often, since the pouch doesn't hold as much volume as a normal colon.
How often do you empty your bag? I empty my bag, on average, 5-7 times a day. I think this will be largely dependent on the amount of output (different for each person), and how full you let it get before you empty it.
Does it smell? Like nothing you've ever smelled before. It is pretty dependent on what you're eating - but when it's bad, it's BAD.
Do you put a new bag on each time(disposable)? They do offer closed-end bags, which are intended for single-use - but I think most people with ileostomies will use a drainable bag, since it needs to be emptied so often.
If you have a bag do you feel the urge like you have to have a bowel movement? Google "phantom rectum." This is a real thing. You may also have some residual bowel movements within a week or so after having your ileostomy - which can make you panic if you don't know to expect it.
You can read about my surgical experiences on my blog: mymisbehavingcolon.wordpress.com
Joined Sep 10, 2012
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