Facing Two Surgeries: What Should I Expect?

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.

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?





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

I had major problems with fistulas (Crohn's Disease) and 4 yrs ago had a proctocolectomy (removal of sigmoid colon and rectum). Recovery was primarily about a month of very limited activity. Since then I have been able to have more physical activity than ever before.  I travel, work full time, mow the yard, cut firewood, work the tractor on our acreage, work in my woodworking shop, go hunting & fishing....  Life is good.  Anatomically, you have to "inspect" to know anything is different.  I just call it my Barbie butt. Good luck and I pray that God will direct the health care workers and you have a speedy recovery!!

Well, I'm over 20 years from my surgery (cancer-related colostomy).  It sounds like at least a portion of the surgeries were similar (rectum & anus removed).  The medical team looking after me was in awe of how well I recovered.  The recollections of the time in the hospital are a bit scrambled (largely due to the morphine drip, then, Demerol).



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.

Hi

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

My Ostomy Journey: April | Hollister