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I have had CD since 2001. I have been sympton free until Sept of this year when I had a bowel obstruction and needed to go in the hospital.Since then I have not been able to get off the Prednisone. I taper to 5mg and the pain comes back. I had a colonoscopy,CT scan and they found narrowing in the ileum. They believe it is scar tissue and that no medication will get rid of it. Doc says it is only 4-6 inches and that I would be a canidate for resection surgery. I meet the surgeon on Tuesday. My wife is really freaked out about surgery as my sister tells her that she knows 3 people that have died from intestinal surgery. I've looked on the web and it is hard to find alot of info on surgery.I'm not gonna lie that I'm scared because I am!

If anybody has had surgery could you please relieve my Wife and my stress and tell me that  everything will be okay

Some of my concerns:.

What are the chances that I will get infection?

Leaking! Does it really happen and the odds?

Any other complications that may occur?

I do manual labor for a job, alot of lifting and on my feet all day. How long out of work?

When will the disease come back and will it come back worse?

Thank you all! I don't know what I would do without you all.

 Reply posted for acesbeth.

Hi,

I had UC and had the 2 step surgery which is a bit differnet than what you'll be having, but you might want to check out my blog photos and story, it may answer some of your questions and help take some of the scary mystery out of the procedures.

http://ucstory.wordpress.com/surgery-1/

Mark

 Reply posted for RJB10345.

I know that they are going to remove my Ileocecal Valve.What are the odds of me have the dreaded "D". I have not had problems with diarreha other than when I eat something that my body does not like.

Wolfie

 Reply posted for acesbeth.

I have had this exact Lapro surgery done to me on October 30, 2008.  My surgeon removed a foot and a half of my small intestines, yup, from the ilieum on, all due to Crohn's.  I am on the maintenance medication "Cimzia".  My surgery went well and I am pain free. I am glad I did it.  Best of luck. JB

 Reply posted for acesbeth.

Well, I went and say the surgeon. she said that I have a 4-5" section in my TI that is narrowed. She said that it is a very simple surgery (Lapro) and that there is no worries of dying. Most people that die have other problems. I would need to go and have a complete physical including chest x-rays and blood work 30 days before surgery.She said that barring no complications that I would be at almost 100 percent by 3-4 weeks.She also said that with the maintenance medications that I'm on that I would maybe,probably,praying that I would not require another surgery..
I left there there with a big load off my mind knowing that suergery is not that big of a deal and that I may return to a normal life.
Wish me luck!
Wolfie

 Reply posted for Wolfie.

Wolfie - I had a resection of the terminal end of the ileum in 1964.  My procedure involved removal of the ileocecal valve which moderates the period of time that food in the small intestine is retained before being released into the large intestine.  The removal of this valve causes food to travel faster through the small intestine, thus  not letting water vitamins and some nutrients to be adequately absorbed.  It also increases the natural spasmotic motion of the large intestine when the food rushes in  too quickly, causing digestion to speed up and the end result being loose stools and more frequent trips to the bathroom each day.

Chances getting an infection?  Ask your doctor about the hospital's record on patient infections.  Ask your surgeon about his record of post-operative infections.

Leaking?  I can say that I have never had any leaking from my surgery after 45 years! Again, ask your GI or surgeon.

Any other complications that may occur?  Just like in the rest of life, sometimes the unexpected happens. It is important you have confidence in your doctor and surgeon.  Don't be afraid to ask either one of them what their track record is with this surgery.

How long out of work?    If they open your belly, it will take awhile before you will be lifting things.  If they do it laproscopically, there is less damage to the muscle wall and quicker healing.  Ask your doctor..

When will the disease come back and will it come back worse?  Crohn's disease is a chronic illness. It goes in and out of remission, never away.  I have never had a flare-up worse than my initial diagnosis: in part because I recognize it sooner and don't let it get out of hand.

Good luck tomorrow with your visit to the surgeon.  Try to keep a smile on your face and your head looking up.  It helps face down the fears! - Bob

 Reply posted for Wolfie.

I wished I knew too.. I'm on 40mgs of Prednisone and it's not working this time... They are also stating surgery and I'm in a lot of pain.. if you find out any information please let me know as well.. (as I too have heard of a lot of people dying..)