Rectum Removal

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Frenchie55
Hi,
I was wondering if there was anyone out there who has had their rectum removed and closed up. I had the surgery done in November 2008 and there are times when I'm still showing blood on my panties and stuff. Has this happened to any of you?

Janice Joyce
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Past Member

I've had it done. I can tell you that it takes quite some time to heal. After all, it is an area that gets no sunlight and can stay damp. I still have some issues, but it is my body producing mucus in that area. Odd, especially when my allergies act up, it produces more.

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Whoa
Nurse
Janice
I don't know your disease that caused you to have your rectum removed; it is a hard place to heal for some. If you had radiation in the past and the rectum removed, are on steroids, or have some other disease state, the area can be even slower to heal. I have had some folks take a year to heal in these cases.

I'd advise you to see your surgeon and have it checked to see how deep the wound goes; and to get proper wound care to assist in healing. You should not have frank blood or dark blood; pinkish yellow or a little blood stain may be normal, but do get it checked.

Meanwhile, if you can increase your protein intake and take a multiple vitamin with minerals, that also would be helpful in healing.

Let us know how it goes.
Frenchie55
Hi,
Thank you both for replying so promptly. I've had Crohn's for the past 25 years. In '99, they performed a colostomy because my bowel perforated. In 2002, they were going to try and reverse it but ended up removing my colon and did an ileostomy and removed the colostomy. The Crohn's was very active in my rectum, so in November gone by, they removed the rectum and closed it all up. I don't take any steroids or medication that has to do with the Crohn's because the Crohn's is now gone. The blood is sometimes very red, it doesn't run or anything like that. When I wipe there, there is some, and there's usually always on the panties. It always feels like I have a huge cork where the anus was. It's probably because of where it's sewn together.

Janice
Past Member
It always feels like I have a huge cork where the anus was.

Mine doesn't feel like that at all. It just feels like it did before, and I don't even think about it. If that's the case, coupled with blood, I'd see my doctor. I had to have mine re-done about 8 to 9 months after the original removal surgery because it opened back up and had a small infection.
 
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Frenchie55

How long have you had it done, the original?

Past Member

September of 2006 was the original. I have never had it feel the way you describe. I would speak to your doctor about that. Write all of your concerns down so when you go to the doctor you don't forget anything.

On a side note, having the rectum removed and stitched up is called having a Barbie Butt, or a Ken Butt for a guy because, well, you know why ;) So now you can go around and brag about your Barbie Butt!

Frenchie55
I'll keep that one in mind, never heard that saying before.    
eddie

I have had my rectum removed for 6 years (cancer). I have never had that feeling or any bleeding. I agree, have the doc check it out.
Eddie

Frenchie55

Thanks Eddie, my surgeon tells me it's common. He hasn't seen it but I described it to him on the phone.

Whoa
Nurse

It is common to have delayed healing for many reasons, but not to be having fresh blood. I don't think it is something to be taken that lightly, even delayed healing should be monitored and new wound modalities/nutrition should be addressed to get the wound closed.



I would still recommend having the wound inspected by either your surgeon or a wound/ostomy nurse; it is important that it is checked, and very simple to check (Q-tip!). You didn't mention how large an opening, or what type of wound care you are doing. What did they recommend? When was the last time the doctor looked at it?

cagabolsa

Bad luck is my middle name.
I had my rectum removed because I insisted after very severe attacks of symptomatic arthritis.
This was caused by a nasty and chronic proctitis (rectum inflammation) ever since my large intestine was removed (after a toxic megacolon).
Don't get jealous please if you like bad luck, but after the proctectomy (rectum amputation) the wound infected, burst open and released blood and pus for one whole year.
I had to put XXL pads to absorb the liquids, which was uncomfortable and visible.
Nobody ever checked my wound (Dutch health system).
And guess what, I survived, and I just learned that I have been upgraded to "Ken".

It's always good to see a specialist if you can.
In my experience with open wounds and infections, I would say: if liquids look clear and fresh, there's no reason to panic. Just give it the time it needs to heal.
Only if colors change it's recommendable to see a medic.

Keep us posted, good luck,

Richard

MrBillYTO
Hi Janice,
I had my rectum removed (Oct 06) because of complications due to the radiation treatment. Basically, I was burned/blistered internally from the radiation and the resulting scarring caused the area to stop working...couldn't go at all. Only solution was a colostomy and rectum removal. Because of the large area around the rectum that they also had to remove, the plastic surgeon took a section of my chest and sewed it in where my rectum was. The result is (for lack of a better term) looks like I have something stuck between my cheeks. Sorry for being so graphic but the bottom line is, it took me a very long time to heal. The incision where the colostomy was put and where they removed the skin from on my chest healed much faster than the rectal area. It probably took 4-5 months for it to completely heal. I had regular checkups with my surgeons and they all thought this progress was great...better than they expected actually. Anyhow, 2.5 years out now, just had my annual checkup and they are still happy with the results. The area does feel weird now when they are doing the exam though.
I think someone earlier on this string gave the best advice...keep in contact with your doctor and if anything unusual develops, get in to see them soonest!
Best of luck,
Bill
Frenchie55

Thanks for all your comments. I really appreciate them. I'm wondering if it's because it was Crohn's and the fact that I'm a diabetic that's slowing down the process. I can't get over that no one is having that feeling that there's something between the two cheeks. (lol) I always feel there's something there. Maybe I was sewn a different way and it sticks out more, I don't know. Keep the comments coming, I really appreciate them. When I went to see the doctor who is a surgeon, but not the one who performed the surgery, he always does GP which is what he does now. He mentioned some fistulas ??????

Winston

I had my rectum, anus, and sphincter removed in '05 due to rectal cancer, and I've never had any problems like the ones you are talking about. For the first year of check-ups after my surgery, doctors would always check my rear and would make comments like "Very well done," etc. When I asked them about it, they would invariably say that this kind of surgery often has complications.
Apparently, you are not alone in facing such problems and, as others have suggested, you need to see your doctor/surgeon. The blood is not normal, and you are not healing properly.

I hope the best for you.

Winston

Frenchie55

Thanks Winston, your comments are very much appreciated. I'm going to have it checked as soon as possible. The problem is my surgeon is 4 hours away from where I live.

Janice

painter

Hi
I had my rectum removed (cancer), but I never experienced bleeding afterwards. However, I cannot sit down for a long time due to the aches.

Whoa
Nurse
Crohn's can continue to be a problem even with the colon or rectum removed. You mentioned fistulas, and so definitely this must be checked.

If you have diabetes, then that may also slow healing. The control you have is keeping your sugars under control to aid the healing process.

I really advise a physician who is more proactive with your wound and care. I don't know what type of care they are doing. A sitz bath, basically where you park your bum in warm water for 20 minutes a day, might be soothing and helpful until someone can check this out a bit more.

Is there a local wound care center nearer to you than your physician? That would be another avenue to try.

I'm sorry you have to go through all this frustration.
Monsieur Le President

My rectum was removed as part of the initial operation. It took some healing, with packing and hydrogen peroxide washouts, but it cleared.
Sneezing, even now after 35 years, can hurt sometimes, and as people with amputated limbs sometimes report "phantom pains", I occasionally feel as though I am passing a phantom stool!

Frenchie55
Hi everyone,
Went to see the doctor yesterday and he told me that what I have there is a fistula tract. He says it should empty and dry up. We're going to let it be for a month and then if not better, we're going to insert something and do a test that determines the depth of it. The reason I'm always feeling something is that tract I'm feeling all the time. Hope you understand what I'm saying regarding this. I called the specialist that I had for 25 years and he says we'll wait and see.

Janice
bearcat

Not sure how this applies to you, but I had it all removed. I had UC for a year, tried all types of meds to no avail, so the doc took the entire colon, rectum, and anus out. It seems weird to me as I never had any problems before and to lose all those in one slice, it was something. But I had good info given to me and now that it's done (Jul 0), I really don't think about it anymore, I just sit and drain. I've had no problems of any sort in that area. I believe I had a helluva of a doctor and he done me right.... Ya'll have a good day.

Frenchie55
Hi,

Wow, it must have been quite the shock to the system having all that happen at once. I think my problem is from the fistula and not the doctor's ability. It hasn't stopped spotting blood yet but I'm hoping it will be soon.



Janice
Ayeshamg

After the operation, it sometimes feels very tight - this can take a year or so to stretch and stop being painful - a little bleeding can ensue from this tightness. Hope that helps.

Frenchie55

Hi, regarding the drainage, in Dec of last year, I went for day surgery. They scraped a fistula that was draining. It continued draining for a few weeks afterwards but has ceased now and I can say, I'm pretty much back to normal, well as normal as you can be. LOL

Jax

I had my rectum/anus removed in November 2008 and due to Crohn's and a collection I have, I am still draining 15 months later. An MRI was done on Thursday and am finding out the results this week. Also, one of my friends at work had hers done years ago and it took 4-5 years to heal... So, don't get despondent, it will work... I am hoping for good news too... Keep your chin up.

Jax

Jax

I had my rectum/anus removed in November 2008 and due to Crohn's and a collection I have, I am still draining 15 months later. An MRI was done on Thursday and am finding out the results this week. Also, one of my friends at work had hers done years ago and it took 4-5 years to heal... So, don't get despondent, it will work... I am hoping for good news too... Keep your chin up.

Jax

Frenchie55

Thanks, Jax. Good luck with your results. You probably have a fistula, as I did, that is draining. Let me know how things work out.

Jax

Hi darl, got my results and they are good. The collection has decreased by 75% and they don't want to do anything at this point. I hope your news and luck is as good as mine.



Thoughts are with you from Australia.



JAx

Bosco

I had my sigmoid colon and rectum removed 3 months ago due to complicated fistulas/Crohn's disease. (Thank goodness, no cancer!) The surgery was scheduled for 2 hours but lasted over 5. I have had no complications, no blood, etc. I still have a lot of soreness and tenderness where drains were put initially. There has never been the sensations that you described. I was able to return to work part-time after 3 weeks and full-time after a month. I would definitely check with the physician and even get a second opinion. I am sure diabetes can slow the healing process, too.
Kathleen53

I had to have my rectum removed in May of 2009, after the colon was removed in Oct. 2008. I thought I was going to be discharged after one week, when the surgeon thought there was an infection and without telling me or checking it out first, he opened the stitches on my tummy and on my bottom. It turned out not to be an infection after all, but he then said it couldn't be resewn, I would have to heal like that!! We are now into March 2010 and I'm still trying to heal! I have the nurse coming daily to dress the wounds and it's still no end in sight. I do feel like something is stuck there and I'm still having tons of discharge from the bottom wound. The wound on my tummy is much better, but there's still one part that keeps reopening. It is very close to my stoma, which makes sticking the bag on extremely difficult and I have numerous nights waking up in a dreadful mess. I was told it was ulcerative colitis that caused me to lose my colon and rectum, but I have my doubts. That's another long story and I won't bore you with it now. Anyway, it's almost one year since my last surgery and I'm still trying to get it healed. Hope this helps answer your question, best wishes Sue

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