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Reconnection Surgery Questions

Sat, June 28, 2008 10:54 PM

I had a total colectomy on May 8, 2008 after being diagnosed for the first time with a severe case of UC on March 28, 2008. The surgery went well. I'm healing very well. I'm an active 33 year old woman, so learning to live with the ileostomy has been challenging, but I'm doing okay with it these days. Needless to say, I'm eager to get reconnected though. In reading some of the postings about surgery I have some follow-up questions:

1) What is a fistula?

2) What is laproscopic surgery?

3) Does the reconnection surgery require more than one surgery? Or is that only in certain cases?

4) Do you have to worry about blockages after the reconnection surgery?

Any answers to these questions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks for your willingness to share.

cash75
Joined Jun 20, 2008

Thu, July 24, 2008 8:43 AM

Reply posted for Cash75.

To answer your question about blockages.

I had my colon removed in 2000. Reconnected in one surgery 3 months later.

I have had blockages. Usually it was my fault. Eating too much of one thing and not enough fluids. Melon, apples, pickles, oranges.

I have never been hospitalized for the blockages. They seem to work themselves out. Painful like labor pains/contractions.

Don't stress about them. Good luck :O)

terri911
Joined Aug 11, 2008

Sat, July 19, 2008 8:47 PM

Reply posted for trail.

My reconnect was one procedure. No problems with blockages as long as I watched my diet (I always had trouble with fresh fruits) Fistulas are painful, but can be worked through with lots of hot baths (there's your excuse for those extra buble baths!!) From experience, just don't let it get bad. If you get a fistula and it isn't draining, it can cause a lot of pain. But if it is drained and you keep the skin soft, you should be ok. Keep your chin up.

ksue
Joined Jul 19, 2008

Tue, July 15, 2008 1:24 PM

Reply posted for Cash75.

Hi Cash75,

My reconnection only required one surgery. My surgeon warned me that a lot depends on the amount of scar tissue that you have in the area. I didn't have blockages. Living with an illeostomy is not fun, but it gives you a unique perspective on life!

Hope that helps.

trail
Joined Mar 2, 2021

Sun, June 29, 2008 6:55 AM

Reply posted for Cash75.

Hi Cash75,

As a fellow traveler I can help with questions 1 and 2.

A fistula is an an abnormal connection between the two separate body systems. A few years ago I used to continue to get a urinary tract infection so for a brief period the docs thought I may have a fistula between my digestive and urinary system. Also please see the attached link.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002365.htm

Laporascopic surgery which I am now facing for partial blockage is a an alternative to full blown abdominal surgery. The doctor makes a 2-3 small incisions. The use gas to enlarge the abdominal area and the doctor uses tubes to insert a camera and surgical tools to operate on you. The theory is the smaller incission and creates a smaller footprint on you and recovery is quicker.

Please see attached link.

http://www.medicinenet.com/laparoscopy/article.htm

Mind you this my understanding of both things, there are probably a lot of gaps there.

I do not know about the other 2, sorry.

jay2cee
Joined Jun 20, 2008

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