This topic is about a person whose friend is dealing with gastric pseudo-obstruction, a condition that affects the digestive system. The friend has lost a significant amount of weight, and the person is seeking advice on whether an ostomy could help, as it hasn't been suggested by doctors yet. They are reaching out to a supportive community for shared experiences and guidance.

Here are some insights and advice shared by others:

1. Gastric pseudo-obstruction, also known as colonic inertia, involves a loss of muscle activity in the digestive tract, leading to severe constipation and potential complications like megacolon or perforation. The cause is often unknown.

2. Medical treatments have been tried, such as:
- Amatiza (Lubiprostone), which was ineffective for one person.
- Another pro-motility drug that was helpful but later withdrawn due to side effects.
- Lomotil (diphenoxylate/atropine) can help slow an overactive small intestine after a colectomy.

3. Surgical options and considerations include:
- A total or subtotal colectomy, which involves removing part or all of the colon, can prevent serious complications.
- It's important to ensure the surgeon follows the agreed plan during surgery and to be ready to stop the procedure if unexpected changes occur.
- An ileostomy or colostomy is often seen as a last resort but can be lifesaving and may be safer than risking megacolon.

4. Reported outcomes from others:
- One person who had a total colectomy experienced increased activity in the small intestine, which felt like constant stomach growls, but this was managed with Lomotil.
- Another person with an ileostomy for colonic inertia reported no emergency room visits or hospitalizations in three years. The surgery was initially meant to be temporary to allow the colon to rest.

5. Experimental approaches in other countries have included implanting electrical stimulators along the colon to trigger contractions. However, this method is not widely available or recognized in the U.S., and one surgeon mentioned it is still far from being a standard treatment.