Large Colon Removal 13 Months after WLS

I have been so jealous of everyone that has done so well after their WLS. I had so many ER visits and more surgery to repair a large insisional hernia, adhesion removal and my gallbladder out. After the additional surgeries I stopped having BMS. About 10-12 days of nothing I would have the most horrible spasms. The pain of these were worse than the post WLS pain.

I kept thinking my WLS was dismissing me when she told me my problem was not do to WLS. She sent me to a gastro specialist and he did a lot of tests but did not explain what they meant. He said if ducolax suppositories did not work my colon needed to come out. WHAT????

I went back to my WLS and she explained the tests the gastro-specialist did and she sent me to another specialist. This doctor took the time and explained why I needed surgery. My colon is paralyzed. The nerves do not work. When I listened objectively I realized I have suffered from this over 20 years and it just took it time for my colon to die completely. I had surgery for a rectocele 10 years ago.

So after over-coming complete denial I am scheduled to have my large intestine removed and my small intestine attached to my rectum. Now if you think our WLS diet is restrictive it's a whole other thing to have any RNY and intestinal removal. Combining both diets will be a task.

What an ordeal. I go from being worried to feeling so sick from the colonic inertia that I can't wait for the surgery. Anyone else go thru this?

I just want to say that I am sooo sorry you are going through this! I can't even imagine what you are going through, but I wish you the very best! I hope everything works out well for you and you can live a somewhat normal life. Good luck!!!

 Wow, I am so sorry to hear this. I have had no complications so I can't begin to understand what is going through your head or how you feel. what I can tell you is I have a friend who had gastric bypass surgery and six weeks later was diagnosed with colon cancer and hat to have most of her colon removed. she is doing remarkably well. I am sure with proer care and follow up you will do well.

Sending healing thoughts and prayers your way.   

 As part of my origional weight loss surgery...I had all but 2 feet of my colon removed... As did my Mom  .Mom's has streched. Mine is still about 2 feet long.
       There are adjustments, but with time your body will adjust as well.
     Just follow the instructions the Doc gives you...many of them overlap with the guidelines post by-pass. You will feel much better when you get rid of all those by-products properly.  Hang in there. Denise

I bet you'll feel so much better afterwards.

However, as I mentioned in my previous post to you, it is VERY VERY important to have thorough testing of your outlet as well.  You need to make sure the motility in your rectum is adequate, and that the musculature of your pelvic floor is healthy and working properly.

It'll be a lot better to know this information before you undergo surgery than to find out afterwards.

If the motility in your rectum is also poor, there is a good chance of having the same symptoms post op.  And if the musculature associated with evacuation is weak, you could end up with incontinence issues.

It is common to do EXTENSIVE testing for colonic inertia and to try many many therapies first.  I am worried that you are not having enough of a work up to verify that this surgery is going to help you 100%.

Once you know that your rectum works well and your anorectal and outlet muscles are appropriate, you really should be able to go into surgery confident that you are going to have a really good outcome.