Dealing with Fistulas After Ileostomy Surgery

Hi everyone?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /o:p/o:p

I have had recent ileostomy surgery (permanent) in Oct 2010 after approx 20 years with Crohn’s.  My problem now is that although op went well, new life is great and I seriously don’t remember ever feeling this well

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, still confused ……has anyone had this surgery when fistulas were active and what was the result?  I had several active fistulas at the time of surgery and at this stage (3 months post) only the abdominal one has healed.  I still have non-healed (and active) fistulas in the anus (which is now permanently sewed up and ‘no longer open for business’) and also the yucky female one – you know what I mean, well will be honest, a recto-vaginal one

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.   Now considering there is really nothing left inside for these to connect to, what the ??!!  What’s actually happening here?  My Surgeon (lovely guy) who I saw at the usual 6 weeks post said these ‘will heal with time’.  So, wondering has anyone had this happen and what does ‘heal with time’ actually mean and how long do I need to wait before these yucky post-Crohn's issues are gone forever?  I am really happy with everything else but the continuing fistula problem is really starting to ‘!@#$’ me off as just want to get on with things now after surgery which I hoped would get rid of these issues forever!   Any advice/ experiences here?o:p/o:p

Thanks all! Heleno:p/o:p

Hi there,

I had a rectal/vaginal fistula.  Had a temporary colostomy to let it rest and heal possibly with scar tissue.  Six months later it had not healed so had surgery. Colostomy is staying now.  One year out from the surgery and have a situation where I'm wondering if the "leak" is back.  Could be just one more side affect of the current round of chemo.  Will be going to Dr. next week. (Uterine Cancer Stage 4. Onset May 2009.

Marianna