Community Forum

hi,

 Reply posted for swagner.

I just had this surgery May 08. It was done as a hand-assisted laproscopic surgery. This meant reopening my c-section scar and some laproscopic ""holes". I spent a week in the hospital and 8 weeks off of work. I was not a candidate for any sort of stricturplasty (?) as the damage was too severe. I would consult with a colorectal surgeon before deciding to do this kind of surgery.

 Reply posted for RJB10345.

hi bob,

 Reply posted for swagner.

It just occurred to me that I didn't answer your question regarding the "balloon" treatment during the colonoscopy!  My apologies.  My doc, during the colonoscopy, somehow threads a "balloon" that can be inflated within the area of infection that is scarred that somehow breaks up the scar tissue, thus widening the narrowed section.  Since there are no nerve endings in the intestinal tract, there is no pain involved with this process.  This is not a permanent fix as the scarring returns since there is always some mildly activity with Crohn''s even during remission.  This treatment is dependent upon the doctor being able to reach the infected area for it to work.  I'm sorry if I am a little fuzzy as to the termonology and exactly how it is all done.  Ask your doctor to explain it to you, and whether or not s/he feels it is something to try before proceeding with surgery.  I should also add that I have several other narrowings farther up my small intestines that cannot be reached by this process.  Again, let me know how things work out for you. - Bob

 Reply posted for swagner.

I have never worried about, or even heard about, bacteria moving from the large bowel into the small intestines due to the lack of an ileocecal valve.  Not something I have ever read or heard from a doctor.  As far as recovery went, you have to know that in the 1960's insurance companies let you stay in the hospital until you were physically able to safely return home, surgical procedures were not nearly as advanced as they are today, and I was an 18 year old male in my prime.  If I recall, I was hospitalized for a month prior to the surgery as the doctors tried to get things under control with meds such as prednizone and azulphadine (my small intestine had ruptured, so they were also working on getting that cleaned up, as well).  After the surgery, I spent another month in the hospital healing.  Today, they can sometimes do this surgery arthroscopically with just a couple of small holes through the belly.  If that is the case, healing is really fast.  I would assume, though, if that can't be done that the procedure and healing time today is still better than 45 years ago!  Hope this helps.  Let us know what you decide.  Everyone reading your post will be pulling for you! - Bob

 Reply posted for RJB10345.

bob,

 Reply posted for swagner.

Swagner - I had my ileocecal valve, as well as 16" of my small intestine removed in 1964 due to Crohn's.  I have also been on various drugs during this time, as well.  The area around the surgery continues to be where my Crohn's is most active when I happen to go out of remission.  That particular valve is important to slowing the digestive process so that nutriants can be absorbed into the body as it passes through the small intestine.  Without the valve, you tend to have more soft stools and diarrhia.  I had to take metamucil twice a day to help absorb the extra liquid that could not be absorbed readily by the large intestine.  When my doctor would do colonoscopies, he would often us a kind of balloon treatment to expand and break up the scar tissue that had developed during the time between colonoscopies.  That worked, but the scarring always came back.  I have had 2 instances in recent years where I have had intestinal blockages that have put me in the hospital for a week each.  Since I started Humira 18 months ago, I have been able to stop the metamucil, my body seems to be doing better at absorbing the nutrients (though I still take folic acid every day and get a B-12 shot once a month because I am just barely at the low level of normal for iron), and I have not had a flare during this entire time.  I am sure that you will hear from others in this community who have also had this surgery.  I consider my life to be relatively normal, and have feel as though I have been fortunate to have been able to manage the disease pretty well all these years.  Continue to talk over your feelings and fears with your doctor.  Ask about alternatives to surgery.  Good luck in your journey! - Bob