Colon Removal in 4 Days

I wasn't afraid when I had my RNY in 4/10 and a hernia repair/gallbladder removal in 9/10 but I am terrified of having my large colon removed. The hospital stay will be 4-6 days with no complications and this will be the 3rd time I am opened from my breast bone to my naval. Where my cuts have been rejoined is so crooked already that it looks like I have a 2 pack 4 inches apart on each side.

Everyone thinks I am so positive about this surgery because I have retended I am not upset. The irony of this is that I have been sick and in excruciating pain  for almost a year with a paralyzed and dead large intestine.

Four doctors have told me how much better I am going to be after my recovery from colon surgery. It will take a year to get back on post-rny foods. The diets from the two surgery's completely conflict with each other. I might be back on proteins only for over a year and only vanilla proteins.

I am already on liquids for surgery because foods don't go into my large colon until about every 8 to 10 days and I need to have my colon cleansed. I will have the total bowel prep we had Pre-RNY for 2 days pre-colon surgery (water only) and the dreaded colon cleanse drink. They are having me take something nicknamed colon blowout because I can't drink the carbonated citrate magnesium. I was told to drink it once post rny to see if it would clear my small intestine and it made the small intestine feel like it was on fire.

Unlike Obesity Help for support I cannot find a colon removal support site that is current so I apologize for voicing my new surgery concerns here.

Lets hope the 4 doctors are right. I hope the surgery goes as smoothly as possible. Please check in afterwards ok? hugs, Judi

Your in my thoughts and prayers...hope all goes well and that you feel better soon 

Wow Diana....I would be scared too. It sounds like a major procedure but it has to be better than suffering so much with the spasms and pain. Don't apologize for voicing concerns, I think that's the real reason we are all here...support.

I'm glad you had more than one consult. You are making a well thought out and researched decision. If you let something like this continue, I'm afraid it would continue to get worse. Please keep us updated with your progress. We are here to listen anytime.    Connie

Good luck to you!   My friend had a few colon surgeries and he told me that after a year of good health the dr will do some plastics to make that area look 100% better.   Take good care of you and the rest will follow!

Sending you healing thoughts for a speedy and uneventful surgery and recovery.

Wishing u a safe surgery and recovery.  Take care,
Z

I have a friend who went through this surgery a year ago and she is doing well.  She did see a nutritionist who told her what to stay away from (nuts, grapes, lettuce) and gave her some ideas of what she can eat.  Unfortunately, the surgeon will not refer you to a nutritionist.  Do you still have contact with your NUT from your bariatric surgeon?  If not, you regular GI would be the one referring you.  She does get bouts if diarreah and a lot of gas with no warning.  Otherwise she feels 10x better than she had in 25 years of suffering.

Now I am currently experiencing something similar and my bariatric surgeon is looking for a colorectal surgeon for me.  I totally understand what you've been through.

Best of luck to you and get well soon!!

A surgery specific site would be helpful, but one of the wonders I've found with OH is that you can get a LOT of support, even when your trials and tribulations are nothing to do with your weight loss surgery, or only marginally connected.

I had tailbone surgery in March, and everyone was so exceedingly supportive of me here and in the RNY forum. I couldn't have done it without their help.

May your surgery go quickly, easily, and may you find that how you feel after you are healed makes it worth it!!!