In a few weeks, I'm going to have yet another surgery... actually, I'm having two surgeries done at the same time, and I'm wondering if anyone can tell me what to expect as far as my recovery and what things will be like afterward. The first surgery is to correct a "Z" shape in my small intestine just before my ileostomy/just under my stoma internally, if that makes sense. Basically, this zigzag in my bowel is causing two narrow areas where stool is clogging up and causing pain and bacterial overgrowth. I had a partial obstruction in December, so it can't be put off any longer. Part 2 of the surgery is removing my rectal stump. My ileostomy is permanent anyhow, so that is not an issue. My stump, otherwise known as a Hartman's pouch, is very inflamed and falling apart. I have a fistula going from it to my vagina also, which has completely taken away any chance of a sex life for the past two years! Because the rectal stump bleeds, the blood travels through my fistula and out my vagina, making it like I'm having my period all the time! So obviously, the surgery is necessary, at least to me. Because this will be the eighth surgery I've had in less than four years, no one is anxious for me to have it, but my quality of life has been terrible, so I'm hoping the surgeries help. My questions are these: What is the recovery like for both of these procedures? Is it really painful to remove the rectal stump? What will I be like anatomically after having the rectal stump removed? I won't have an anus anymore, right? Also, after taking out the "zigzag" in my bowel, will it be easier and less painful to eat? I've had the ileostomy since August 2010, and for a while, I could eat just about anything, but right now, I can't eat any raw veggies or fruits, which I love. If anyone out there has had either of these surgeries, can you tell me what it's like? Anything you can tell me would help. The surgeon is helpful, but they have no idea what it's really like. My GI specialist actually has Crohn's, which gives him a level of empathy that no one else has, but he hasn't had either of these surgeries.
You can read my blog re: the "Barbie butt" surgery which I just had in December. Bear in mind that the severe pain I've felt has had more to do with the bony structures (coccyx and part of the sacrum) they had to take out in my particular case to reach the bladder since they could not go through the abdomen. Most people posting here have not had such a difficult recovery (and I must say since I recruited my primary care doc to help out in the pain control area, I am doing much better!) Best wishes for a successful surgery and speedy recovery! Pinky
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Hi All, If you have an " old" or recent ostomy, this is the place for you. I think I've been a member for more than 15 years, but I have had my surgery, since I was a kid of 15 ( do the math-that's more than 60 years ago). As a teen, with a new ostomy ( for Ulcerative colitis) my parents dragged me off to my first ostomy association meeting. I wasn't happy, but in the long run, it's the best thing that happened to me. I met others, older, and teens like me, adjusting to the changes. A group of us started a Young adult group, and helped each other, and even visited kids who were new to the world of ostomies. But soon I married, and moved out of state, and although made some connections with other NJ ostomates, I became pretty much isolated. Until I discovered MaO. By then, I was having a myriad of other medical issues, and my aging stoma " wasn't doing well". I received a lot of help and support from members! I was pleased that I was also back to supporting others. I met a gal on line (from Papua New Guinea) who was trying to help ostomates in her country. There is a scarcity of supplies in some other countries, and unlike the US, insurance to pay for supplies isn't available. When my son followed his "love" twenty years ago, and moved to Australia I took advantage of an opportunity to help other ostomates. On one of my first visits to Oz, I brought a suitcase full of Ostomy supplies, handed them off to an Ostomy assoc. On the Gold Coast, who then had a friend take them to PNG. They were grateful for the help, and Janet and I still write.. This is the place to be, if you need help, and it also gives you the opportunity to provide help and support to others. Feel free to write, if you'd like to chat, about things ostomy, or life in general. Best REgards to all.. Marsha
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When I got home, I also remember sitting on a donut for the first week or so but it wasn't painful. My wife had instructed the kids "...not to laugh if dad farted at the table..." but it ended up being a fairly hilarious first breakfast with me sitting on this donut.
When I was having the stitches/wire removed from my backside (about 6 or 8 weeks after the surgery), I remember it was uncomfortable but not painful. It seems to me that he used side-cutters to cut the stitches. Through this period, I wouldn't recommend any ballet or ice-hockey!
In any event, it certainly sounds like your life will be measurably better after the surgery.
Almost 40 years ago, due to Chrones, I had a total colectomy of my large intestine including my rectum. Prior to the surgery, I also had a perennial fistula from my rectum into the vagina.
I do not remember suffering from pain from the removal of the rectum. However, I do remember pain and discomfort in the area because I continually had problems for several years after with perennial fistulas. Several times, my surgeon cleaned out the fistulas. I had all of this done in Toronto, Canada.
Subsequently, I moved to Los Angeles. The doctors at UCLA recommended doing an extensive surgery to fix the problem. My original surgeon recommended not to do anything else and to keep the area as clean as possible and have several sits baths per day and that eventually the area would heal on its own without having to do any more invasive surgery. The sits baths also helped to relieve the pain and discomfort. Thankfully, my surgeon was correct and the area eventually healed and closed up on its own.
I pray that you will have a speedy recovery and the strength and courage to go through your ordeal.
Kind Regards,
C
Living with Your Ostomy | Hollister
