Concerns About Pressure After Rectum Removal Surgery

I have a question for those who have had their rectum removed and sewn shut.

I've dealt with chronic constipation my whole life and a feeling of pressure down there like I really need to go. I'm afraid that if I'm sewn shut permanently, I'll have a chronic feeling of pressure that can't get out.

Probably silly to think. Do the feelings just go away?

Thank you

Short answer? Yep. They go away.

You might have phantom feelings. I had only one, but that was in 2016 when the colon was removed.

With Ken, but 2 years ago. I have no urge or feelings "to go."

G-Day Milhouse04,

I had my Ken Butt over 3 years ago, and only a couple of times did I get a mild phantom feeling, as they call it, while urinating. But after that short moment in time, I have no feeling of wanting to go at all. You will love the feeling of freedom.

Regards, IGGIE

I'm in the same boat at some point this year; I will be having a pan total colectomy.

Around 30 years ago I was sewn up. I still get phantom pain at times; don't take that literally. I'm not rolling around in agony; it's mild, and with me, it's usually the first sign of my ileostomy being clogged up.

Stories of Living Life to the Fullest from Ostomy Advocates I Hollister

Hi, I had Barbie butt surgery on the 19th of March. So far, so good; obviously, I am still healing, etc., but no way was it as bad as I thought the surgery would be. The wound itself doesn't hurt really at all; it has little niggle bits of pain, but so far, so good. I didn't want the surgery and was really worried about it, but the pain, etc., I was in needed to stop, so I had it done. Good luck and all the best.

Hi Milhouse, that feeling went away when I had my total colectomy fifteen years ago. It didn't change when I had my Barbie butt surgery ten years ago. After experiencing the pain and pressure of ulcerative colitis, it's a welcome relief.

Oh, that is so true; my UC was hell. I lost 4 stone in like 2 months. All I wanted to do was sleep; it got that bad. Most nights, I just curled into a ball on the bed.

The ileostomy has given me so much back in terms of my physical health. I'm just waiting for my action man bum surgery sometime in the next 2 to 3 months because even if there is phantom pain, it's nothing compared to what I was experiencing.

When you first have it done, it does feel like you want to open your bowels, but like others have said, it doesn't last.

I had my operation in August 2024, and I very rarely feel that way now. I was incontinent before the operation due to other cancer treatment I had, and although I would have preferred not to have had such drastic treatment, I realize that I didn't have any other options.

Wishing you luck 😊

So in 2016, you had the rectum removed but still had your anus? That didn't work out? What issue were you having?

Iggie, I'm scheduled to have my large colon and rectum removed, but I asked to keep my anus, thinking it might speed up my recovery and reduce my risk of erectile dysfunction.

However, I'm thinking of changing this. I don't want to have any more discharge or feelings of "having to go."

I agree, it's best to get rid of the whole thing.

Regards, IGGIE

Hi. I probably was not clear explaining.

2016 large intestine removed. A stump was left in hope to reconnect later, but for several years I bled. Yup, years of orals to stop or control bleeding from the rectum went fruitless.

So after that, they found Crohn's developed in whatever was left: the stump, rectum, and anus. All removed in 2023. Sewn up. Kenn butt.

No plumbing down there at all. Permanent ileostomy. Now 8 years, my history since age 25 was inflammatory bowel disease - IBD.

Moments later... you are a young guy and should be aware that a Kenn butt surgery could very much have an E.D. side effect, so keeping the anus? Dunno how to advise. I think they cut you up way too much down there. Likely stump and rectum removal will cause E.D.

You should discuss it more on here and with the surgeon.

Mine never told me the side effects. And urination could also be an issue fixed by a pill.

It's a very complex and complicated surgery.