Q: Colon Surgery?
I an facing a colon surgery soon. Has anyone out there gone through it. I am really scared.

A: as a doctor, i would like to inform u that if its an elective surgery(as it appears in ur case) chances of complications are minimised, anyways ur surgeon will definitely have told u about the procedure and the probable outcome of the surgery, all i can add is have faith in him/her n don’t worry much , May God be with u…all the best.

Q: How long does it take to recover from Colon Surgery?
My friend had Colon surgery three weeks ago and is still in a lot of pain, how long does it take to recover.

A: i am recovering from colon surgery myself. it takes a few months for the anesthesia to get out of your system. as for pain, it subsides in time.

depending on where the incision is and what was done, the time will vary. this is my 5th time going under the knife due to my illness.

just make sure he eats, drinks plenty of water, avoids smoking/drinking, and gets the needed rest to heal.

best of luck.

Q: What is the recovery like for colon resection surgery?
I may be jumping the gun but I am curious. All we know at this point is there was a mass found in the proximal transverse colon during a routine colonoscopy and were told that open surgery (colon resection surgery) will probably be recommended from the surgeon. The mass ‘appears’ benign but no biopsy was done since it could not be reached to take a biopsy during the colonoscopy due to the location of the mass. We are currently waiting for the surgeon appointment.

A: Good for you, to have a colonoscopy. It is very important and will save your life. The surgeon will be able to discuss all of your questions. You will be in the hospital for awhile. Your belly will be sore and it will be uncomfortable to get around. You will need to have stool softeners and pain meds.Write down all of your concerns before seeing the surgeon.

Q: How long does it take to recuperate from colon cancer surgery?
How long does it take to recuperate from a surgery that is supposed to eliminate colon cancer?

A: My Mom survived colon cancer 2 years ago…it took her about 4 or 5 mos to get any spring in her step. She is now experiencing some bowel problems but will not have any thing confirmed…she says whatever will be will be……She today, at 81-1/2 looks fine, got back all her weight and her demeanor improved….but we will see P.S….She refused all treatment after her surgery

Q: is colon surgery safe if you have heart attack?
i am diagnosed that i have stage 2 colon cancer but i also have heart attack, is it safe to go to the surgery?

A: I would risk it. I would rather die on the table under anesthesia with a heart attack (and never feel it) than to go through the agony that Farrah Fawcett had to deal with before she died.

Colon cancer is wicked and can easily metastasize to other parts of the body.

Q: How much does it cost (a good guesstimate) for colon endometriosis surgery?
I am getting ready to sign up for flexible spending at work. I need to know about how much surgery would cost. I am pretty positive I have colon endo. I am going to go back to the doc to discuss this once I get insurance. I told a former doc that I have always bled rectally when I have my period (for about 18 years now) and she looked at me like that was the strangest thing she had ever heard of and recommended a colonoscopy (which I am about to have done.). Also, I have a very physical job (I walk 8 hours a night and lift heavy boxes). How long do you think I would need to miss work? Thanks for any help.
Before anyone asks. I didn’t seek help for this before because I have bled like this since I first started my period. I never thought it was abnormal (I know duh!). When I told the doc that I was having pelvic pains I had an ultra sound and laproscopy and they discovered I have PCOS.

A: It would depend on the fee of the surgeon you use as to the kind of agreement for charges to the insurance company for total payment as well as any part you may have to put out (if you have a PPO that is). It will also depend on which hospital the dr has privileges at as well. If you have a dr in mind to do the surgery you can ask them which hospital they use for surgeries and check with the hospital financing dept about the cost for the use of the hospital services to get an idea.

The recovery from colon surgery depending on how many layers of the colon it affects (because for some it can eat thru all layers) it will depend on what kind of surgery has to be done. Meaning that depending on how far it goes they may make the decision to cut out parts of the colon and attach the other parts together. It can take a good while for that area to heal (like about a month or so).

Q: Which exams are typically ordered to follow a year(s) after a successful colon cancer surgery?
A person very dear to me had colon cancer in 2007 and had a successful surgery to remove the tumor. She also had some months of coadyuvant therapy (chemo?). There have been further (clean) colorectal exams but I wonder which other exams are ordered in the first year or two following the surgery to guard against possible spread to other organs?
She has regular blood exams, every 6 months. Had recently (1 yr) a colonoscopy that came out good. But no CT scan which is what worries me.

A: sounds like your friend had the same handling as my husband: surgery + adjuvant chemo. “Adjuvant chemo” is preventative – it’s to mop up any loose cancer cells.

The followups will depend on the exact nature of the cancer (there are different types even within colon cancer …e.g. adenocarcinoma) and the oncologist. Hubby has had
- colonoscopy immediately post chemo finishing
- CT scans immediately post chemo, and then every 6 months until 2 years from diagnosis
- blood tests every 6 months

He’ll probably have another colonoscopy in 2010, and CT scans are now annual until 5 years.

Q: Should I have colon surgery for precancerous lesions?
I have precancerous lesions-Even tho I do not have cancer the doctor indicates I should have surgery. What do you think or indicate information I could find that would help me make a decision. Thanks.

A: I wonder what kind of surgery you are talking about, if you are talking about actually being opened up. Most of the time, people who have Polyps, which are usually benign but some can develop into cancer, can have them removed by during a colonoscopy. A small instrument that has a little loop on it goes around the lesion and takes it out.It is called a Polypectomy. It only takes a little while, and while you are sedated you are not under anesthesia for the most part. A colonoscopy involves no cutting. A narrow tube is inserted into the rectum and goes in and takes pictures. If they see something like a polyp they can remove it then. They also biopsy not only lesions but selected areas of the colon to make sure there is no malignancy and to detect other conditions, such as Colitis or Crohns Disease, which are treatable with medications and diet. If there is something suspicious, then they might decide not to do anything with the growth except to biopsy it. After the biopsy comes back, the Doctor would call in the appropriate specialist, such as a Surgeon to remove the growth or see if there is need for Chemotherapy or something. But most growths in the intestines are Benign and they are VERY common. I do not know if some larger non-malignant growths may need to be removed surgically, but in my experience, not usually.

But yes, have it removed. While the chances are slim, it could develop into cancer at some point. And having anything growing in there that should not be could affect your system.

Q: has anyone had the laproscopic surgery for colon cancer?
My doctor is planning on doing the laproscopic surgery for colon cancer and I was wondering if anyone in here had had this?

A: yes I have had laproscopic surgery for colon cancer ,3 yrs ago was out of the hospital on the fourth morning after the surgery ,quick recovery.

Q: Does this mean there is nothing to worry about with the colon cancer surgery?
My dad is 71 years old with a leaky heart valve. His cardiologist gave him clearance for the surgery. Does this mean there is nothing to worry about with the colon cancer surgery and that everything will go good

A: The use of anesthesia can cause cardiac arrhythmias as a side effect of the drug itself. If someone already suffers from atrial fribilation or a ventricular arrhythmias then they would be very concerned about surgery. There are many who suffer from leaky valves. That all by itself would probably not prevent surgery unless the leak was moderate to severe or in combination with other heart issues such as congestive heart failure. His cardiologist has determined that his heart condition would not add excessive risk to the procedure and has approved it.

The real worry here is getting the ALL tumor out and checking the surrounding lymph nodes for spread. He should have already had a CAT scan to determine if they see things elsewhere. You don’t list here in your post any of these results so hard to comment on this. Even if it is late stage colon cancer, a person still gets relief by surgery to remove an obstructed bowel. I will just let you know, my father had colon cancer diagnosed 7 years ago, had the surgery, was positive in 11 out of 21 lymph nodes for spread, had the lymph nodes removed at the same time, and followed 9 months of chemotherapy. He is still alive and doing well with no repercussions from the ordeal. He is now almost 82.

Make sure you and your siblings get your colonoscopy every 5 years. Family history is an important predictor of issues for your generation. Getting diagnosed early and prevention by polyp removal makes this very survivable.

Hope that helps

Q: I was laid off, and now I need to see a doctor for my previous colon surgery.?
I have a tendency to have growths as I had before, in my uterus 2 times, a tumor in my colon, and now I feel discomfort in my pelvic area. Where should to see a doctor in consideration of my unemployment and poor financial condition.
Thank you for your help.

A: Try to get medicaid

Try to find a county hospital

Call the Department of Human Services and ask if they know anyone who can help

Call teaching hospitals and ask if they can operate for free (they let students practice)

Sorry about all the health problems; I have quite a few myself. Welcome to the ranks of the American uninsured. It sucks. Hope you find help!

Q: What can we expect after my wife has colon surgery?
To remove about a foot of it because of a benign tumor.

A: Go with the second answer. If it is open surgery, she will need to be in hospital for about 10 days. If it is laproscopic / keyhole, then it will be about a week. Depending on where it is, and if it is necessary, she may have a stoma. This can be temporary or permanent. Whilst it is very hard to get used to at first, once you learn, it becomes like brushing your teeth!

Straight after the surgery she won’t be allowed to eat or drink anything, just sips of water. Then she can drink clear fluids. Then any fluids. Then a light diet, and eventually a proper diet. Her bowels will not work for the first few days, and she will not be able to go home until they are working properly. At first they will be erratic, and it may be difficult. But that lasts for only a few days. But it takes 3 to 6 months to get some “normality” back. But that doesn’t mean months of horrible bowel habits, which is what I thought.

Good luck!

Q: How can I have my own web site to record my recovery from colon surgery?

A: Try Myspace

Q: do you still feel pain close to 2 months after sigmoid colon surgery?
I’m sure it should hurt when i do alot of walking, but somedays it hurts so bad and I hadn’t done alot of walking.

A: In my first surgery, my ovarian cancer had already spread to my colon. So I had a colon resection in addition to a hysterectomy. I have a 15 inch incision on my abdomen extending from above my belly button to the groin area. The muscles and nerves were cut to access the peritoneal cavity/body cavity. Afterwards my abdomen was sewn (by different layers) and stapled to close the incision.

In the beginning, I experienced a lot of pain in the abdominal area. My doctor said it was because the nerves and muscles were cut. Anyways, after 2 months of pain, the pain began to decreased.

If you are concerned about your pain, see your doctor.

Q: how long does a patient need to be off of plavix to have colon surgery?
patient has a medicated stent
The medicated stent was put in 11 months ago.

A: I hate to say this, but Pangolin is off base (a rarity). The reason for a patient with a medicated stent being on Plavix has to do with it’s anti-platelet action. The difference between an anti-platelet agent and an anticoagulant is more than you would think. Aspirin & Plavix are anti-platelet agents, warfarin, coumadin, heparin, etc are anti-coagulants. IV Heparin wouldn’t be used to replace Plavix.

Current thinking is that it is important to keep a patient on Plavix AT LEAST for the first year after a medicated stent is placed. The risks of taking a patient off their plavix has to be weighed against the need for the surgery.

Q: Is there an antibiotic treatment for human colitis?
My dog has recurrent bouts of colitis. She has been on rounds of prednisone and amoxicillin several times. Is there a human treatment for this disease such as antibiotics or a drug that I might ask my vet about? She is so thin, but does seem to do better on the high-carb diet.

A: Of course there is as a matter a fact your dog has been taking almost what human take.
Humans can suffer coelaic I was wondering if animals can as well
If so then take his off all Wheat product including Pasta unless you can get hold of the pasta made with eggs???
Ask your vet is it possible a Animal can have coelaic disease.

Best of luck

Q: Is it okay to use Glutamine as a treatment for ulcerative colitis?
I recently recommended to a friend of mine that he use Glutamine as an alternative treatment for his condition because I’ve read a few websites that advised that. I don’t know how reliable these sources are though. Any suggestions?

A: I just did a quick review of the medical literature (via Medline) on the use of glutamine in the treatment of UC. There are several animal studies that suggest its use may be beneficial. Sadly, there are few human studies on this issue.

Glutamine may be worth a ‘clinical trial period’ to see if it helps your mother. You should discuss this with her doctors first.

What nutritional interventions have her doctors used with your mother? What was her response to them?

The literature suggests that long-term use of corticosteroids for UC is very dangerous. Consequently, your mother’s docs should be working very hard to find alternative therapeutic approaches for your mom. If they are not doing so, why not?

Her doctors are getting paid serious money for treating your mom. Demand the best care and efforts from them. If they are not willing to ‘give their all’, find new doctors that will.

Best wishes and good luck.

Q: Has anyone tried Dr. Ray Lala’s Back to health mineral treatment for Ulcerative Colitis?
I am 12 years old and have been diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis 2 years ago.
Does anyone have a links for a cure or any information? I am in desperate need of help.

A: Be sure to check into the Specific Carbohydrate Diet or SCD. It was written specifically for people with IBD’s. I have Ulcerative Colitis and this diet works wonders for me as well as others. You should be able to come up with plenty on google regarding it. Be sure to read the book Breaking the Vicious Cycle by Elaine Gotschall. Good luck!

Q: Can anyone explain the treatment/s that may be required to treat “ischemic colitis?”?
My mother is in her late 50’s, and was hospitalized about 4 days ago with vomiting and bloody diarrhea. After being misdiagnosed with “ce difficile”, and having a colonoscopy, she was diagnosed with ischemic colitis. I’ve heard that this condition can range from extremely mild to needing surgery. She hasn’t kept solid food down in a week. Does anyone know what treatment/s she might require?

Thank you!!!

A: Ischemic colitis in general is caused by low blood flow to the intestines. There are two main reasons why this might occur -not enough blood to her intestines (example bad heart that doesn’t pump well enough), and clots in the arteries that feed the intestines.

If it’s mild and she’s just dehyrated you can give IV fluids, and bowel rest (no eating/drinking), and antibiotics. That’s mostly it. But if she starts developing a fever, or really painful or swollen abdomen, it’s become severe and she should go to the hospital right away as she may need to have surgery to cut out the dead bowel. This is pretty rare. Most get better without needing surgery.

Q: My nephew is under treatment for ulcerative colitis & taking ‘Ramicaid’ through IV.Food restriction for him?
My 15 yrs old nephew is under treatment for ulcerative colitis & taking ‘Ramicaid’ through IV,Doctor is not much specific about his food and drink intake.What kind of food and drink he should not eat?Tomatoe or other vegetable soup are good for him?Anyone have really a good suggestion for him?Thanks in advance.

A: Self-care
Sometimes you may feel helpless when facing ulcerative colitis. But changes in your diet and lifestyle may help control your symptoms and lengthen the time between flare-ups.
Diet
There’s no firm evidence that what you eat causes inflammatory bowel disease. But certain foods and beverages can aggravate your symptoms, especially during a flare-up in your condition. It’s a good idea to try eliminating from your diet anything that seems to make your signs and symptoms worse. Here are some suggestions that may help:
* Limit dairy products. Like many people with inflammatory bowel disease, you may find that problems, such as diarrhea, abdominal pain and gas, improve when you limit or eliminate dairy products. You may be lactose intolerant — that is, your body can’t digest the milk sugar (lactose) in dairy foods. If so, try substituting yogurt or low-lactose cheeses, such as Swiss and cheddar, for milk. Or use an enzyme product, such as Lactaid, to help break down lactose.
In some cases, you may need to eliminate dairy foods completely. If you need help, a registered dietitian can help you design a healthy diet that’s low in lactose. Keep in mind that with limiting your dairy intake, you’ll need to find other sources of calcium, such as supplements.
* Experiment with fiber. For most people, high-fiber foods, such as fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains, are the foundation of a healthy diet. But if you have inflammatory bowel disease, fiber may make diarrhea, pain and gas worse. If raw fruits and vegetables bother you, try steaming, baking or stewing them.
You may also find that you can tolerate some fruits and vegetables, but not others. In general, you may have more problems with foods in the cabbage family, such as broccoli and cauliflower, and with very crunchy foods such as raw apples and carrots.
* Avoid problem foods. Eliminate any other foods that seem to make your symptoms worse. These may include “gassy” foods such as beans, cabbage and broccoli, raw fruit juices and fruits — especially citrus fruits — spicy food, popcorn, alcohol, caffeine, and foods and drinks that contain caffeine, such as chocolate and soda.

Q: where can we find best treatment in USA for Colitis or Crohn’s disease?
one of our friend’s son has a Colitis disease and we are looking for a help in USA, where can we find best treatment in USA, please help. thanks

A: Check sites like centerwatch to see what kinds of clinical trials are out there. Usually facilities who perform many clinical trials for specific diseases are the leaders in their field. Good luck.

Q: Out of pocket expenses and bills for Colitis ? Premiums, bills etc for hospital treatment?
Around how much $ have you had to pay out of pocket w/ insurance premiums & out of pocket bills & expenses for in hospital care of
Ulcerative Colitis or Chrones Disease ?

A: hi natalie, I am a female crohn’s pt. for 29 yrs. dxed at the age of 12. It varies each yr. for me as there are some days where I will see the GI more than 3x yr., go to the ER due to a blockage, or may have surgery. Drugs alone are over $2000 in copays for me but we have a flexible spending account that really helps.

It also depends on your insurance and how much they will cover for your illness as well as meds.

For more information, check out the crohn’s and colitis foundation of america website . they have a hotline, live chat, as well as an open forum for pts. and their family to post questions to others like themselves.

I posted the info below for ya. good luck.

Q: I have been recently diagnosed with Colitis and have recieved proper treatment now all my hair is falling out?

A: Report this to your prescriber immediately.

Q: Does someone knows about a cure or a very good treatment for ulcerative colitis?

A: Rest. reducing stress, diet, plenty of fluids, and most importantly check with your doctor for other medical conditions, and medications. This can come and go depending on highs and lows in a persons life. Hope you can get some good and lasting relief

Q: is there any treatment for ulcerative colitis in naturopathy?
Ulcerative colitis is inflamatory condition of bowel.
Is there any book availble on bowel diseases in natruopathy in Hindi

A: yes talk to a naturopathic doctor. thay will lead you in the right direction.

Q: Is there a treatment in homeopathy for ulcerative colitis?

A: No idea.

Personally wouldn’t advise.you.

Q: Has anyone tried Dr. Ray Lala’s healing mineral treatment for Crohn’s disease/Ulcerative Colitis?
While I will appreciate other remedies, I am specifically looking for results from the Dr. Lala treatment.

A: hi sm, I am a crohn’s pt. for over 20 yrs. Have you checked out the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation’s site for information?

They have tons of stuff ranging from diet, newer treatments to put pts. in remission faster, locating a local support chapter, as well as a live chat, a hotline, and an open forum where you can post questions to others who have IBD.

If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. There are so many scams out there which will take our hard earned $$$ by offering false promises of a cure.

When a cure is found for IBD, I am sure it will hit the newpapers first as well as our GIs.

good luck to you.

Q: does any1 no anything about colitis and the best treatment 4 it?

A: don´t take avocado, no dairy, no spicy food, if you don´t want it to hurt.
Avoid fat the most you can also, you have to go to your doctor to have a prescription.
There is no better treatment than having a healthy diet and don´t stress and don´t get mad, problem in the colon start when you get angry, mostly all diseases coming from the organs that make digestion are due to stress.

Good luck! ;D

Q: PBS aired a show that had a new treatment for colitis what was it ?
The show aired during pledge week and was a special. The Doctor that found this treatment I think was Dr. Baabba. Or something like that. The cure was medication normally used for people with epolepsy I do beleave. See that is why I need help all the info I have is vage or incorrect. But it was on a PBS special. I have a sister who has had colitis for the last 37 years. So if you have any info on this topic please help me. And thank you in advance.

A: hi boo, I have crohn’s disease, a type of IBD like ulcerative colitis. I wish I would have seen that PBS special myself. I have heard about the drug in question via the local support ccfa chapter meeting but can’t remember the name as well.

If you go to the crohn’s and colitis website,you can find the information that you are looking for. They have a section on the latest research and medications used to treat IBD.

good luck.

Q: My 14 yrs nephew has ulcerative colitis.Been taking treatment since more then 10 months.Still not improving?
My 14 yrs nephew has ulcerative colitis.Been taking treatment since more then 10 months.Still not improving his symptoms and have mild to severe flareup.Doctors says he can eat anything he want but since I found some information on internet that he should stay away from some certain food.mostly dairy products and may be other too.Any one can give me good suggestion for him in order to control his flare up?Since he is having diaread often all the time he is becoming very weak.I love him very much as he is good kid and I want to help him out.

A: hi web, I have Crohn’s disease, a form of IBD– inflammatory bowel disease, like your nephew. I was dxed at the age of 12 so I can truly understand what he is going through.

Diet varies in each person. What one can tolerate, another may not. Go to the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America site and there you will find information regarding IBD in children, diet, surgery, coping skills, the newest treatments, as well as locating a support group where he lives. CCFA also has a camp in the summer time for kids under 18 with IBD.

CCFA also has implemented a hotline that is run by healthcare professionals who are well versed in IBD as well as a live chat M-F 9 am – 5 pm (EST). You or his parents can call/chat to educate yourselves about UC & assist your nephew in coping with it.

Ask the MD if he can recommend a good dietician at a local hospital. The Registered Dieticians are trained in dealing with different dietary needs in people with all sorts of different illnesses. You can also check out the site below and locate an RN near you if the hospital is too far to travel.

My heart goes out to your nephew. I have been where he is…..not being able to be with friends, missing school, being poked and prodded at every angle, and the constant pain. It really helped me when I met others like myself. I didn’t feel so alone plus I made some new friends that I could contact whenever I needed someone who’s actually “been there”.

Some CCFA chapters even have meetings that are geared for teens only. Their educational meetings are really good because you get to meet dieticians, GIs, colorectal surgeons, drug reps, etc. and ask them questions.

Feel free to contact me if you have questions. I wish your nephew the best.

Q: what are your chances after having surgery for diverticulitis?
I had my sigmoid removed 4 months ago due to diverticulitis, I just found out I have it again.What are my chances that I won’t have to have surgery again? I am on the same 2 very strong antibiotics that did not work for me the first time. I am only 32 years old.

A: if you have a job with a lot of sitting, get up frequently and walk a little bit. You may also prevent it from spreading further by increaing your fluids. Avoid poppy seeds, nuts etc. Increase your fiber as well. Watch everything that you eat and decide if it is healthy before you eat it. Reduce your fats too.

Q: How long does it normally take to heal after diverticulitis surgery?

A: It took me a long time to heal. My stomach was cut from my belly button to just above my pubic hair so I could not wear slacks for over a year until it healed good and it is still tender to friction.
Plus, I was weak for a long time until I could get my strength back. I quit work for 1 year until I was completely well.
My healing may have been different from others, but that is what I experienced,

Q: do anyone know about diverticulitis and the surgery time frame that you may be off the job.?
I have been diagnosed with diverticulitis and gotta see a surgeon. So anyone know the details of this kind of surgery and how long i may be off of work. Just started a job and need to know.

A: ask a doctor

Q: I just went through surgery for diverticulitis, and am in constant pain. When does the pain usually stop?
I need to know how this usually lasts, with the bloating and constipation. I also want to know when it is a must to get to the doc for help.
Waiting on the doc to call back, but wanted to know what others went through after their surgery, and if this is normal.

A: You need to talk to the doc. He should have prepared you for what to expect.

Pain is a side effect, but it can also be a symptom of a problem. No one here can tell for sure.

Q: how many days in hospital for diverticulitis surgery?
generally how many days spent in hospital for surgery

A: Depends …is it being done via laparoscopic or open surgery?
Laparoscopic is outpatient (a day)
Open surgery is 4-7 days on average.

Q: anyone here had a diverticulitis rupture with an ostomy bag after surgery?
how long did the bag stay on and did you have a good outcome?

A: not to scare you, but my great grandfather died of diverticulitis. i think you have to live with the bag. unless there are new alternatives.

Q: If someone was diagnosed with diverticulitis can they still have gastric bypass surgery?

A: Probably not when the diverticulitis is active. There is an important distinction to be made: DiverticuLOSIS is when there are outpouchings/pockets in the wall of the large intestine, diverticuLITIS is when they get infected. So if there is diverticulitis, there is an active infection and this should be treated (with antibiotics, pain meds) before undergoing surgery. Other than waiting for the infection to go away I haven’t heard of any contraindications. Best of luck!

Q: I have had surgery for diverticulitis and I want to know what kind of complications people have had after surg

A: Myself other than pain, my BM’s are different all the time now. I get constipation pain when i am not even constipated and my stools are looser now but i know thats because they removed a good portion of my bowel that used to reabsorb water. (that will fix itself in time as the bowel that was lowered down will take over in about 6 months)
I had my surgery 3 months ago and all the after effects are slowly fading. My scar still itches where my pants rub…that drives me nuts LOL

Q: Me ex b/f has diverticulitis and is going to be having surgery to remove it …
He will ll be in NY in hospital for 1 week and I’m in Fl … How serious is this type of surgery. I read up on what I could and if he needs surgery – its pretty bad …
Thanks
Brooklyn=)

A: A diverticulum is a “pocket” in the intestine that forms when waste can’t be properly eliminated—usually due to diet. When one of these pockets becomes inflamed and/or infected, it’s called diverticulitis. If he’s having surgery, it’s to remove the inflamed part before it ruptures.

(He’s actually very lucky that they caught it in time. My mother died from septic shock that was a result of peritonitis from a spontaneously perforated diverticulum. But anyway, enough of that.)

It’s not an incredibly common surgery, but it’s not exactly rare either. The good news is that they did catch it in time. Had they not, and the infection become bad enough it could have ruptured, spilling fecal matter into the abdominal cavity–that’s when things get ugly. It would be very similar to a ruptured appendix. The abdominal cavity gets infected and there are so many places for infectious material to “hide” that it’s very difficult to treat and you run the risk of blood poisoning (septic shock).

If he’s young and in generally good health, he should tolerate the surgery fairly well. Depending on what they find when they get inside his abdomen, they might give him a temporary colostomy until he heals, but that’s a little concern, because once his intestines are fully functional they’ll remove it and he’ll only have a small scar to show for it.

Any surgery is scary–especially if they’re using general anesthesia, and you’re right to worry a bit. But I wouldn’t be unduly concerned. I would just be glad that they found the problem when they did, as opposed to after it was too late.

Keep me posted. I’ll keep you guys in my thoughts and prayers.

Q: DIVERTICULITIS diet(s) or treatment suggestion(s) to avoid surgery?
Taking swedish bitters 3x a day, and meals consist of: fresh fruit and oatmeal for brekky, small portion dinner at noon, clear broth for supper is what I am doing at the moment. Drinking herbal teas, apple and cranberry juices and water. Surgery SCARES me!!

A: Keep doing what you are doing. The body goes through a six week cycle and really needs to be pushed into a healthier groove.
60% of your immune system is in the lower intestines. You must keep your bowels moving. Ideally a bm should be 3 times a day, but if one is all you can manage…fine.
Take flax seed, or flax seed oil. Remember, this medicine takes time. Stick with it, stay positive and get to a naturopath.

Q: Can diverticulitis cause a blocked small intestine?
My wife went in for a D&C on 4/15/09 due to polyps. The doctor perforated her uterus. Last week, she developed diverticulitis and there was a CT scan that showed free air in the abdomen. She was admitted into the hospital and then rushed into emergency surgery due to a complete blockage in her small intestine. Can a perforated uterus cause diverticulitis if the bowel was affected? In addition, can this also result in a blocked small intestine?

A: The free air in the abdomen is where she probably encountered the problem. It sounds to me like she might have gotten an air embolism which can be very dangerous. Think of blood clot only instead of blood causing the problem it is air. Perforation of the uterus could have caused the air to get in the abdomen in the first place.

Q: can i have a safe pregnancy after Diverticulitis which also meant i had 2 surgery for it on my colon,2nd ques?
Im concerned with scarring if i had to have c -cection i was cut from my breast bone to my pubic bone 2 time in the same place and i was told the scarring( on the inside) could effect my tubes , i was wondering if anyone had a baby after this i know a baby is carried in the uterus

A: Are you asking just about the scarring from surgery, and its effect on being able to deliver the baby? If so, I don’t see why you should have any problems. Women who’ve had c-sections (even multiple c-sections) are able to deliver a baby vaginally, so you should be able to deliver your baby whichever way you want. Your best bet would be to speak with your doctor about it, telling him/her what you really want to be able to do, and ask if he/she could do everything in their power to help you be able to do so. Good luck.

Q: Is is recommended to have a colonic irrigation while battling with diverticulitis?
I am a disabled senior and just recently began experiencing sharp pain in my lower left quadrant and found that I have diverticulitis (as did my mother). I have gone through 2 flareups, taken antibiotics and changed my entire diet (seems to help a great deal with bm’s), but am wondering if I should cleanout the entire system of buildup. I surely don’t want to opt for surgery if irrigation(s) will help and aren’t precluded by having diverticulitis. I surely don’t want to aggravate these pouches and chance rupturing them.
Anyone having any experience with either diverticulitis and its recommended diet, and/or colonic irrigations (high colonics), please advise and thank you all.
I’m waiting on test results of colonoscopy.

A: With a flare you need bowel rest. An irrigation could cause the flare to be worse. Continue with your dietary changes. If you are unsure about the diet or it doesn’t seem to be working ask your doctor for a dietary referral.

Q: Is there a relation between diverticulitis and nerve pain in legs?
I’ve had meralgia parasthetica – a burning and shooting pain in my thighs – for over 4 months. Very severe. I was diagnosed with spinal stenosis. Then, a few weeks ago I had an attack of diverticulosis which caused an abscess leading to peritonitis and had to have emergency surgery. I hadn’t had symptoms of diverticulitis that I’d noticed before the attack.

I have to think there is a relation between the two as I had been very healthy, not a sick day in years, until these problems. Edgar Cayce’s site connects the two, but how about real life? Can anyone out there make the connection?

Or am I just being very unlucky!?

A: Thats interesting what Cayce has to say about that. It very well could have some connection.

Here is diverticulitis site. It has a lot of interesting links you might want to explore.

http://www.diverticulitisdiet.org

I agree you need to see a doctor if the problem doesnt go away,but check out the links at that site so you can be informed before you go at the least.

And who knows you might find out whats going on with your own research.

Q: I have just had a colonoscopy &diagnosed with diverticulitis?
I have been having terrible bouts of dhoirea and the first investigation test a colonoscopy showed that I have severe diverticulitis so bad that the investigation could not be completed.Next test is a barium enimer is there a cure for this disease? or will it end in surgery. or a special diet .

A: You’ve had some good answers so far. Hopefully your Dr. has already suggested Advil (or other pain med) and Antibiotics since it sounds like you may have an infection. The fact that you have not been hospitalized is good. I would switch to a high fiber diet. Fruits, vegetables, etc. But first, check with your Dr. and see what he/she thinks you should do. The others are correct unless your Dr. believes that you needs surgery. But even so, you will always probably need to follow a high fiber diet from now on. Cut out the sodas, pizzas, alcohol, and fast food as soon as you can. Drink a lot of water. Think about shopping at the Farmer’s Market, making your own soups, and adding fruit to your diet. Best of luck.

Q: How common are dogs to have colitis after surgery?
my chi had perianal hernia surgery 2 months ago. today she was diagnosed with colitis. is there any connection between the two? Do you think my vet did the operation badly or something?

A: If there is a two month span between the two, then no, they are not related. Colitis actually means “inflammation of the colon” and wouldn’t be related to a hernia surgery anyway. There are lots of things that could bring on colitis…stress, new food/treat, got into something she shouldn’t have.
More than likely, your vet prescribed some meds for her…give them to her as prescribed and it should resolve fairly quickly.
Good luck

Q: Ulcerative colitis surgery – has anyone had surgery to remove the bowel?
If anyone has had surgery to remove their bowel, could you please tell me how it has affected your life? Is your quality of life better after having the surgery, and were there any side-effects? I have had UC for two years and no medications are working. I am not employed at the moment because I’m so sick all of the time, I am seriously considering having the surgery so I can lead a normal life like everyone else. Thank you
Swapan, would you mind please listing the foods that you mentioned made the disease worse? Thank you

A: I have had a few operations and yes you can lead your life forward yet yes there is some changes of course. i had a huge operation at the age of 12 and not knowing all of the out come i have allot of things i wish i would of known and will always have things I wish were different of that I could change( it is life). you have to love yourself and if your sickness is life or death then I say it is your choice(life is always beautiful,smile).
just to say..I’ve never been on this sight b4 but you caught my eye so here I am. To make it short,I am married and I have 4 children and believe that you can do anything,deal with life as long as you start with you.IT”S ALL ABOUT YOU!

Q: Can you get ulcerative colitis after having colostomy reversal surgery?
I had my surgery about two months ago now, i keep having periods of time with blood in stool and all of the other symptoms for ulcerative colitis but sometimes it will just go away for like a week or few days and then come back again.

A: NO.

My answer assumes that your real question is “can colostomy reversal CAUSE ulcerative colitis?” – the answer is no.

But findin blood in the stool is always serious — you probably do not have ulcerative colitis unless you were previously diagnosed with this condition – it would not suddenly start after surgery. Do not make your own diagnosis like this — this is dangerous, and you may be missing something serious or deadly.

See your doctor right away!

Q: I have ulcerative colitis, and want to join the army after major surgery to get rid of it, could i?
The surgery would be completely removing my colon but then make another out of my small intestine. (I think) But it would completely rid me of ulcerative colitis and I’ll be able to live a regular life once I’ve made it through recovery.

A: Unless it severely hinders your ability to enjoy life, I wouldn’t recommend surgery. If it’s keeping you out of the military, and your doctor says it would best for you, then go ahead. But otherwise, reserve surgery as a last resort.

Q: what is the ulcerative colitis surgery?
my sister is suffering uc , now doctor ask for surgery , this is possible for normal life after surgery

A: UC surgery has two types that I am aware of. One is the complete removal of the large intestine and colon which results in a cholostomy bag for the rest of your life. The second is a shortening of the large intestine but it remains connected to your colon. Which results in frequent bowel movements due to the shortened intestine.

Both, I believe, are curative, have a high success rate and result in a completely acceptible standard of living afterwards. Good luck to your sister.

Q: ulceratice colitis surgery?
success

A: Ulcerative colitis is a disease that causes inflammation and sores, called ulcers, in the lining of the rectum and colon. Ulcers form where inflammation has killed the cells that usually line the colon, then bleed and produce pus. Inflammation in the colon also causes the colon to empty frequently, causing diarrhea.

When the inflammation occurs in the rectum and lower part of the colon it is called ulcerative proctitis. If the entire colon is affected it is called pancolitis. If only the left side of the colon is affected it is called limited or distal colitis.

Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), the general name for diseases that cause inflammation in the small intestine and colon. It can be difficult to diagnose because its symptoms are similar to other intestinal disorders and to another type of IBD called Crohn’s disease. Crohn’s disease differs because it causes inflammation deeper within the intestinal wall and can occur in other parts of the digestive system including the small intestine, mouth, esophagus, and stomach.

Ulcerative colitis can occur in people of any age, but it usually starts between the ages of 15 and 30, and less frequently between 50 and 70 years of age. It affects men and women equally and appears to run in families, with reports of up to 20 percent of people with ulcerative colitis having a family member or relative with ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease. A higher incidence of ulcerative colitis is seen in Whites and people of Jewish descent.

Q: Is surgery a good option if i have ulcerative colitis?
my doctor wants me to get surgery to remove my colon but my parents do not want me to

A: Ulcerative colitis is a disease that affects many parts of the body outside the intestinal tract. In rare cases the extra-intestinal manifestations of the disease may require removal of the colon.
Surgery is also indicated for patients with severe colitis or toxic megacolon. Patients with symptoms that are disabling and do not respond to drugs may wish to consider whether surgery would improve the quality of life. So I think ur doctor must have a proper reason to his decision. better go on with that decision. And taking advice from a Specialist of that field would be a fine idea too.GOOD LUCK!!

Q: people who had surgery for ulcerative colitis plz help …???
I have ulcerative colitis for about 5 years and i’m not doing fine right now .. but anyway … what i realy wanna know is how your lives changed after having surgery …and what are the risks of having sugery …. i went into alot of websites about sugery for UC and i can’t understand…!!! they sound like it’s something bad or that your gonna be suffering for the rest of your life of side affects … so i wanna know what is the good side of the surgery and the bad side of it …… ?

A: I have not had this surgery, but my girlfriend did. She was in her early twenties and they could not get her uc under control. She was fired from jobs because of the amount of time she spent in bathrooms basically she had lost control of her bowels.
The decision was made to have the surgery. She said it changed her life for the better and would not change a thing. She got married had children and has led a full and happy life. She has had very few side effects in the 15+ years she has had her J Pouch. Only recently she had to have her bowels re-connected due to an abscess that occurred. She said it was a minor thing, but then again she had always had a very good outlook on life.

I get the feeling from other sites I have read that the majority of people who have had their colons removed are very happy as they can stop being so effected by were and when they might have to use the bathroom.

Good luck to you. I hope you get better soon.

Q: When comparing Chron’s disease and ulcerative colitis, which of the following is true?
1.The cause of Chron’s disease is known, whereas the cause of ulcerative colitis isn’t known.
2. Chron’s disease can be found anywhere in the digestive tract, whereas ulcerative colitis is generally found in the colon and rectum.
3. Patients with both conditions benefit equally well from surgery.
4. Ulcerative colitis is remitting, whereas Chron’s disease is constant.

A: I have Crohn’s Disease so I’m going on what I have read about them both;

1. False. It’s not known what kicks off Crohn’s.
2. True. I have Crohn’s in both intestine (large & Small) and in my esophagus.
3. Surgery for both can give you years symptom free but can keep coming back, it is not a cure. Trouble is you can run out of intestine to remove after so long.
4. Crohn’s Disease can go into remission if treated.

I hope this helps you!! )

Q: What is the death rate for colostomy surgery?
I have ulcerative colitis and have been told that surgery is the only way to rid myself of the disease. The downside is that I will have to live with a colostomy bag. My real fear is not so much having a colostomy, but that I may die from the procedure. I am 29 years old and in reasonably good health aside from my condition.

A: With UC, you’ll have an ileostomy rather than a colostomy (ie all of your large intestine removed rather than just part of it) and believe me, what you’re imagining is far far worse than the reality of living with one actually is There is nothing I can’t do because of my ileostomy (except wear a bikini, but I do go swimming regularly during summer).

As for dieing during the surgery, I’ve been on the net for 10+ years supporting ostomates and never have I heard of anyone dieing during the procedure (and believe me, if anyone had, it would be all over the ostomy internet world – something like that would be big news) so that should tell you something about how rare it is.

Good luck.

Q: My friend has severe colitis. Do you know anyone who has had surgery for advanced stages of colitis or crohns?

A: I did a teaching presentation on the surgery for crohns, it’s actually a three step process… which turns out to be more like 3 surgeries, and he’ll have to have a colostomy for a while if he goes through with it. Depending how severe it is, might have to have a colostomy for the rest of his life. It’s very involved but a doctor can go through all the specifics during a consultation.

Q: When comparing Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, which of the following is TRUE?
A. the cause of Crohn’s disease is known, whereas the cause of ulcerative coitis isnt known.
B. Ulcreative colitis is remitting, whereas Crohns disease is constant.
C.Patints with both conditions benefit equally well from surgery.
D. Crohns disease can be found anywhere in the digestive tract whereas ulcraive colitis is generally found in the colon and rectum.

A: D.

Q: did anyone have this surgery Ileoanal or ileorectal anastomosis for ulcerative colitis???
i’m going to have this surgery and i want to know how the surgery went and how recovery was after

A: Ileorectal anastomoses are commonly done in total colectomies for UC. Ileoanals are alot tougher to do and there’s always fecal incontinence to worry about as side effect.

Q: Can anyone explain the treatment/s that may be required to treat “ischemic colitis?”?
My mother is in her late 50’s, and was hospitalized about 4 days ago with vomiting and bloody diarrhea. After being misdiagnosed with “ce difficile”, and having a colonoscopy, she was diagnosed with ischemic colitis. I’ve heard that this condition can range from extremely mild to needing surgery. She hasn’t kept solid food down in a week. Does anyone know what treatment/s she might require?

Thank you!!!

A: Ischemic colitis in general is caused by low blood flow to the intestines. There are two main reasons why this might occur -not enough blood to her intestines (example bad heart that doesn’t pump well enough), and clots in the arteries that feed the intestines.

If it’s mild and she’s just dehyrated you can give IV fluids, and bowel rest (no eating/drinking), and antibiotics. That’s mostly it. But if she starts developing a fever, or really painful or swollen abdomen, it’s become severe and she should go to the hospital right away as she may need to have surgery to cut out the dead bowel. This is pretty rare. Most get better without needing surgery.

Q: If you have colitis can you have anal sex safely without putting yourself in danger?
I have had colitis for about five years and have had surgery once. When the doctor did the surgery they went in and took care of as much as possible and snipped two anal muscles, not completly cut the muscle just made a tiny snip to loosen the area, so I could have a normal bowel movement without bleeding. It has been about four years since the surgery and I really haven’t had to many problems with the colitis however once you have it you always have it. My boyfriend and I have always been open minded about sexual activity and this is one thing I don’t know if I can safely do without damaging myself. If anyone can help me out please let me know. Thank you!!!

A: I would never do something like that…You might get an infection and it is an unnecessary thing that your boyfriend is asking..and selfish, under the circumstances…and God hates this kind of stuff..so…to avoid another bout with the colitis, please, you tell ANY man no on this one you could start everything up all over again and it isn’t worth it for a ‘good time to be had by all”…

Q: How long does it take to recuperate from colon cancer surgery?
How long does it take to recuperate from a surgery that is supposed to eliminate colon cancer?

A: My Mom survived colon cancer 2 years ago…it took her about 4 or 5 mos to get any spring in her step. She is now experiencing some bowel problems but will not have any thing confirmed…she says whatever will be will be……She today, at 81-1/2 looks fine, got back all her weight and her demeanor improved….but we will see P.S….She refused all treatment after her surgery

Q: Which exams are typically ordered to follow a year(s) after a successful colon cancer surgery?
A person very dear to me had colon cancer in 2007 and had a successful surgery to remove the tumor. She also had some months of coadyuvant therapy (chemo?). There have been further (clean) colorectal exams but I wonder which other exams are ordered in the first year or two following the surgery to guard against possible spread to other organs?
She has regular blood exams, every 6 months. Had recently (1 yr) a colonoscopy that came out good. But no CT scan which is what worries me.

A: sounds like your friend had the same handling as my husband: surgery + adjuvant chemo. “Adjuvant chemo” is preventative – it’s to mop up any loose cancer cells.

The followups will depend on the exact nature of the cancer (there are different types even within colon cancer …e.g. adenocarcinoma) and the oncologist. Hubby has had
- colonoscopy immediately post chemo finishing
- CT scans immediately post chemo, and then every 6 months until 2 years from diagnosis
- blood tests every 6 months

He’ll probably have another colonoscopy in 2010, and CT scans are now annual until 5 years.

Q: Does this mean there is nothing to worry about with the colon cancer surgery?
My dad is 71 years old with a leaky heart valve. His cardiologist gave him clearance for the surgery. Does this mean there is nothing to worry about with the colon cancer surgery and that everything will go good

A: The use of anesthesia can cause cardiac arrhythmias as a side effect of the drug itself. If someone already suffers from atrial fribilation or a ventricular arrhythmias then they would be very concerned about surgery. There are many who suffer from leaky valves. That all by itself would probably not prevent surgery unless the leak was moderate to severe or in combination with other heart issues such as congestive heart failure. His cardiologist has determined that his heart condition would not add excessive risk to the procedure and has approved it.

The real worry here is getting the ALL tumor out and checking the surrounding lymph nodes for spread. He should have already had a CAT scan to determine if they see things elsewhere. You don’t list here in your post any of these results so hard to comment on this. Even if it is late stage colon cancer, a person still gets relief by surgery to remove an obstructed bowel. I will just let you know, my father had colon cancer diagnosed 7 years ago, had the surgery, was positive in 11 out of 21 lymph nodes for spread, had the lymph nodes removed at the same time, and followed 9 months of chemotherapy. He is still alive and doing well with no repercussions from the ordeal. He is now almost 82.

Make sure you and your siblings get your colonoscopy every 5 years. Family history is an important predictor of issues for your generation. Getting diagnosed early and prevention by polyp removal makes this very survivable.

Hope that helps

Q: Can people with leaky heart valves have colon cancer surgery safely?
My dad is 71years old. His valve is leaking 30 percent. He gets short of breath sometimes. Is surgery safe for him

A: You need to ask the doctor. However, if he has colon cancer and he doesn’t have it removed he is going to die. My aunt had colon cancer. It’s very painful and very deadly. My grandmother had a tumor in her stomach the size of a grapefruit as well as a tumor in her spleen and esophagus. She had a heart attack in the early 90’s and so her primary care physician did not think she should have the surgery. Her cancer specialist thought she would be able to make it since she was always really active (cooking, cleaning, etc, even though she was 80). She decided to have the surgery because she knew there was a 100% chance that she would die without having the surgery. She had surgery back in May and is still living today. She had to have a feeding tube attached to her small intestine and requires a lot of care but, thankfully, she is still here.

Q: Has anyone with a leaky heart valve had colon cancer surgery?
Did everything turn out good? No problems in the operating room? No infections? My dad is 71 and needs the surgery. Please help

A: HI Tuke,

The surgeon and the anaesthetist will evaluate you dad’s condition very carefully before they subject him to this surgery. No surgeon or anaesthetist likes to have a “death on the table” or a death due to surgical intervention.

I am a RN. I too have a role in pre-op assessment. Patients who are not fit for surgery are always managed conservatively. It does not mean that they do not get any treatment.

Q: is colon cancer surgery the worst surgery for patients?
aren’t the doctors basically cutting ur a_s_s? I would think that’s the most horrible embarassing surgery there is. & u can’t even do #2 either, isn’t it? How do I prevent myself of getting it?

A: colon cancer surgery is extensive , risky and messy specially the colostomy care ,

Q: has anyone had the laproscopic surgery for colon cancer?
My doctor is planning on doing the laproscopic surgery for colon cancer and I was wondering if anyone in here had had this?

A: yes I have had laproscopic surgery for colon cancer ,3 yrs ago was out of the hospital on the fourth morning after the surgery ,quick recovery.

Q: What happens during colon cancer surgery?
Where do they make the insision? how long is hospitalization for? any more info
thanks alot trying to help my best friend

A: Incision will depend on the location of the cancer (the colon is pretty long) and the method of surgery – it can be “open” or “laproscopic”.

A laproscopic surgery will have only a few relatively small cuts in the lower tummy, and recovery will be up to a week if there are no complications.

An open surgery will cut from below the navel for about 6-8 inches, and will take up to 2 weeks in hospital.

There are no straight answers here – everyone’s recovery time is different. To be allowed out, you have to be able to eat, drink, have a bowel movement (either regular or to the stoma bag), pass gas, pass water (or manage your catheter), get out of bed and sit in a chair. These are basic ways to assess that the body is recovering.

Recovery time is likely to be longer if your friend has already had chemo or has been noticeably ill for a while before the cancer was found – s/he’ll already be worn down a bit by that. My husband had no symptoms until 2 weeks before his surgery, and took 10 days to get out of hospital after open surgery.

Be prepared when you visit for the first time post surgery, especially if it’s open surgery. This is a big operation and your friend may well look dreadful after – NG tube, catheter, wound drain, PCA IV, fluids IV, oxygen mask. That all looks really scary….but it’s actually normal post surgery. Practice a blank face and a big smile – s/he doesn’t need to know how awful s/he looks…and s/he’ll lose some of the gadgets in a few days.

Q: Is colon cancer surgery risky in a 71 year old with heart problems?

A: The patient should have his medical condition, treatment options, and associated risks explained prior to any major procedure.

Surgery is a risk for all people, a greater risk for seriously ill people, and that risk is aggravated by complicating factors such as heart disease. The doctor’s treatment plan must balance the potential benefits of the surgery versus the surgery’s risks versus the prognosis if surgery is not performed.

Generally speaking, the best way to eradicate cancer is through surgery. Chemotherapy may be effective, partially effective, or ineffective. Radiation is typically effective for localized treatment, but may produce significant side-effects.

Best wishes for agood outcome.

Q: Is there more risk of infection in a patient that has a leaky heart valve with colon cancer surgery?

A: There is always a risk of infection with any surgery.

Q: Is colon cancer surgery safe for 71 year old that has a leaky heart valve?

A: I’d have to see the echocardiogram and the cardiologist’s consultation report before making that determination. You don’t say which valve, the degree of insufficiency, or make mention of the patient’s functional status

That patient is at some increased risk. However, the cancer needs to come out, so after cardiac optimization, the surgery will be done.

Q: I have a Retrograde Ejaculation case due to intensive colon cancer surgery, is there anyway to restore this?

A: You’re not giving any information to even guess at an answer. You need to see a urologist.

Q: Parents has colon cancer, surgery next week,,..what to expect when released from hospital??
I wrote in a week ago.. My dad has colon cancer, and has surgery next week.. its been a very trying couple of days while waiting.. After, he will be in hospital for 10 days.. I am jumping ahead I know, but was wondering what it might be like when he gets out of the hospital and is at home. I will be taking care of him, but was wondering if he will be able to manage stairs.. what exactly he will be able to do after such a operation.. I know doctor will tell after, but if there is a way i can prepare for his return home.. a little anxious to know now… appreciate any advice/infor.. thanks,, from a very scared daughter..

A: hello
I had this done at a very young age 12 yrs now I am almost 40. I would like to say this ran strong in my childhood family. There were 9 of us and and 4 had this cancer and one has passed on at a very young age,he was in his teens and in the air force had a wife and a baby on the way.My brother died at 27 yrs old but leaving a single mother to raise their 2 yr old son.To move this faster …we other 3 have children and they must be tested (it could run in your jeans,you may want to think of getting checked?)
With this I have learned to eat 7 small meals a day,they taught me this and don’t lift heavey weight anymore as if you were healthy and strong before you operation.NOW his food has to change,this is a must! I was put in the hospiatal because …your track can not handle like…oranges,leafy vegs and you want to watch out for alot of gasy food liek broc.Make sure he chews up all of his meats and your food digestive sym is so different.
Man i have to say I still have to have my children checked out and I think about this everyday(how to tell them about this if it was one of them) I would love to stay in touch and try to help you and your family with some of your questions because I was a young child who had to go through this with nex to no ideal and no knodleg.If you trust me and have a number I am willing to call you?
Good luck and God Bless you a nd your family

Q: What to expect after colon surgery (colon cancer)? How long does it really take to recover and such…?

A: My dad just went through this also. He recovered from the surgery pretty quickly, he was on solid foods in about 3 days. He was diagnosed in August 05, and they found it had gotten into one lymph node, so he started chemo shortly afterward. The chemo for this type of cancer is very mild compared to some others. He mostly just experienced feeling tired during his “chemo weeks” and numbness in his fingers and toes. No hair loss! He finished with chemo about 6 weeks ago and recently received a clean bill of health!!!!!

Q: Do you think a bariatric surgeon is qualified to perform colon cancer surgery?

A: my cancer doc is also a Bariatric surgeon. He is licenced for both and works at MD Anderson in Houston one of the leading cancer instatuites.

Q: Gas and bloating after intestinal surgery?
I had a couple procedures done a couple weeks ago (sigmoid colectomy, and reversal illeostomy) on my abdominal region, and now, a couple weeks later, my intestines continue to gurgle and rumble and build up gas like nobodies business. It gets to the point that my stomach gets distended, and the pain from it spreads to my back. I know that excess gas is a side-effect of intestinal surgery, but I was wondering how much longer should I expect this to go on? I’m eating sort of regularly, though not nearly close to normal, and I’ve pretty frequently been nauseas lately.

Anyone have any tips on when things might start to get back to normal? I’d appreciate it greatly.

A: That is a hard question to answer. A certain amount of gas is normal. It basically depends if the gas is making it through your bowel and getting out okay. If after your two weeks, your abdomen is getting distended to the point you can tap it like a drum, and feel it resonate, then its not normal. You may have a partial blockage. Your diet may need to be changed first, then if that doesn’t work they may need to do a follow through gastrograffin study.

If you are passing gas (farting up a storm), thats good.. just see your doctor on your scheduled appointment date.
If you can tap your belly and hear it resonate like a drum, go see your doctor earlier for a checkup.
If you start passing blood in your stools or stop passing gas entirely, go to the ER for evaluation.

Q: Is there such a type of intestinal surgery as four guts surgery?
I am court reporter, took dep of bariatric surgeon who used the term. It may be spelled wrong…any ideas?

A: Taken out of context like this I think he might mean foregut surgery (surgery of the fore gut…the anterior or frontal part of the stomach).

Q: How long does it take to recover from intestinal surgery?

A: Depends on what kind. Generally you are up and walking in a few days, and able to get around pretty well by two weeks, and completely healed by 5-6 weeks. My bil had 4 intestinal surgeries due to cancer and was home in 4-5 days after each one and getting around really well by 3 weeks. He was 53 and already weakened by radiation therapy, so if you are younger and generally healthy you will probably heal faster.

Q: What kind of diet should I be on after intestinal surgery?

A: You actually should avoid fruits and vegetables – you want a very low fiber diet. Make sure the food is malleable (soft).

Eat yogurt to help restore the digestion. No fiber in yogurt and the bacteria inside helps natural digestive processes. Don’t put any nuts in the yogurt though.

Your doctor should go through this all with you, and any questions should probably be directed to him or her

Q: How does the gastric intestinal bypass surgery could help patients who have hypothyroidism ?
and or depression to lose weigh?

A: i doubt it. when you consider that you are not dealing with the root cause of the problem (hypothyroidism or depression), all that will occur is that the weight will come on again. remember, the surgery is reversible. you will get your stomach back. try to deal with the actual issue, of which the weight gain is only a symptom.

if you do want to lose weight in the meantime, try the fullbar. it was created by a doctor who performs those surgeries, and according to him, it has the same effects, but is obviously non-invasive. you can get info at his website, fullbar.com.

Q: Would intestinal bypass surgery be an effective way to lose weight?

A: Gastric bypass surgery should only be done if someone is 100 pounds or more overweight. The process for being approved for this surgery can take up to a year, and is quite thorough (psychiatric evaluation, diet change, exercise program, and close monitoring of your weight by your primary care physician). If you’ve tried everything, and still can’t get that weight off, this may be a viable option for you (especially if you are at increased risk, or diagnosed with, diabetes, heart, or liver disease). Here’s a website that I hope will answer any other questions you may have regarding this procedure:

http://www.bariatricedge.com/dtcf/pages/gastric_bypass.htm?WT.srch=1

Good luck!

Q: Did your baby have surgery for intestinal malrotation? How does s/he act now?
It seems like my 8-month old son has kept some of the same “habits” he developed before he had surgery… the back arching, the constant mumbly grumbling & fussing, sometimes growling and LOTS of rolling in the crib or on the floor or in my arms.
I’m just curious if any other babies seemed to resolve a lot of their similar habits or did it just seem to become a part of who they are? And if it’s been a while, did things calm down at some point or change drastically?

A: I had that when I was a baby, and I didn’t keep going back to get it, just had it one time. I am shorter than my family members, have unusually arched back, preferred to sleep on stomach for the longest time, till I was pregnant with my own child!, still didn’t swallow properly for the longest time, BUT at the time of the surgery, and for a couple years after, my parents said I was at least a lot quieter and not as pudgy from wanting food all the time. My dad said he actually worried coz I wasn’t talking much or asking for what I wanted anymore, since they’d gotten used to me always crying and screaming prior to that surgery. But I did have, and still somewhat retained a few old habits from way back then.

Q: What type of surgeon can perform surgery on an intestinal injury caused by a c-section?

A: General surgeons perform intestinal surgery

Q: post-intestinal surgery on puppy…
my puppy is a little over 3 months old and he had to have surgery for an intestinal obstruction a week and a half ago. Since then he has recovered amazingly. He is back to his old self and bouncy and happy – i’m just wondering, is he in the clear?

I’m just scared that I have to still be super super gentle with him.

he went into cardiac arrest right after his surgery and started breathing shortly thereafter- does that mean his heart is weaker now or no?

A: Yes, it is amazing how fast these animals recover from major surgery. I’d be moaning on the sofa for the next month eating up all the attention and treats that any sympathetic human offered!

Your pup should be fine as long as the cause was removed.

If you are concerned about his heart, I would ask the vet who did the surgery. Some dogs are more sensitive to the anesthesia and will go into cardiac arrest. It does not mean their heart is weak.

Good luck with your pup from now on.

Q: surgery for intestinal blockage and the doctor stated gangrene- can u explain surgery procedures please ?
she is in emergency surgery -shes 73 and doctor stated hernia and gangrene ,intestinal blockage any doc out there to explain more , thank you-time is 4:20 PM 11-1-08

A: normally this is not complicated.
imagine a hole in the wall, circular, about 4 inches diameter
now imagine a long linked sausage– the sausage gets a loop in it (fold it in half), and this loop gets pushed through the hole in the wall.

on the other side of the wall, this loop of sausage now gets twisted a few times — all kinked up so that now you cannot pull it out of the wall any more.

that’s an “incarcerated hernia”. And the kinked, twisted, piece of sausage ( the intestine) will have to be cut out, and the remaining intestine sewn back together.

surgically this is very simple, but depending on many factors, patients can be VERY sick from this. If there is a LOT of dead bowel involved, this can kill people — but do not get unnecessarily alarmed. Trust your doctors to give you updates on her condition, and speak with the nurses regularly. You’ll just have to wait day by day and see how quickly she can come out of this.

good luck !

Q: My cat diagnosed with Intestinal obstruction how fatal is it? Can it be treated without surgery?
After having x-rays the doctor found a foreign body in my cat. They gave her fluid and cerenia injectable to stop the vomiting. They offered me surgery but I said I’d rather wait to see if she can pass it herself. So they gave me laxatone to use to help the kitty. Eight hours later the kitty is the same, no vomiting, but no bowel movement. She doesn’t eat or drink anything and she is withdrawn. What should I do? Should I wait more or run to the hospital immediately? Do I put my cat in danger?

A: If the laxatone was going to work it would have by now. The reason the vomiting has stopped is not because she is better. It is because she isn’t eating anything to come back up.

No eating or drinking and being withdrawn is your clue that you must do something now. Don’t wait, go to the hospital. She very well may die by morning. A blockage is a very unpleasant and painful death.

If you love your cat you will get her there right away for surgery. She is trusting you to do what she needs done to get better.

Q: Does intestinal surgery disqualify a person from consideration for the United States Coast Guard?
I’m a 22 year old married male who is interested in joining the Coast Guard. 6 years ago I had intestinal surgery because, basically speaking, my intestines tied themselves into a knot. The surgeon had to cut a few inches of my intestine out to correct the problem. I was told that it was very unlikely to happen again. I understand that the Coast Guard happens to be a very selective branch and I was interested to know if my previous surgery would disqualify me from consideration or if I would require a waiver.

A: Not knowing the technical name here is the whole section:

I will guess you have a scar that will be seen at MEPS

2–3. Abdominal organs and gastrointestinal system
a. Esophagus. Current or history of esophageal disease, including, but not limited to ulceration, varices, fistula,
achalasia, or Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) (530.81), or complications from GERD including stricture, or
maintenance on acid suppression medication, or other dysmotility disorders; chronic, or recurrent esophagitis (530.1), is
disqualifying. Current or history of reactive airway disease associated with GERD is disqualifying. Current or history
of dysmotility disorders, chronic, or recurrent esophagitis (530) is disqualifying. History of surgical correction for
GERD within 6 months is disqualifying. (P42 esophageal correction, P43 stomach correction and P45 intestinal
correction.)
b. Stomach and duodenum.
(1) Current gastritis, chronic or severe (535), or non-ulcerative dyspepsia that requires maintenance medication is
disqualifying.
(2) Current ulcer of stomach or duodenum confirmed by x-ray or endoscopy (533) is disqualifying.
(3) History of surgery for peptic ulceration or perforation is disqualifying.
c. Small and large intestine.
(1) Current or history of inflammatory bowel disease, including, but not limited to unspecified (558.9), regional
enteritis or Crohn’s disease (555), ulcerative colitis (556), or ulcerative proctitis (556), is disqualifying.
(2) Current or history of intestinal malabsorption syndromes, including, but not limited to post-surgical and
idiopathic (579), is disqualifying. Lactase deficiency is disqualifying only if of sufficient severity to require frequent
intervention, or to interfere with normal function
(3) Current or history of gastrointestinal functional and motility disorders within the past 2 years, including, but not
limited to pseudo-obstruction, megacolon, history of volvulus, or chronic constipation and/or diarrhea (787.91),
regardless of cause, persisting or symptomatic in the past 2 years, is disqualifying.
(4) Current or history of irritable bowel syndrome (564.1) of sufficient severity to require frequent intervention or to
interfere with normal function is disqualifying.
(5) History of bowel resection is disqualifying.
(6) Current symptomatic diverticular disease of the intestine is disqualifying.
d. Gastrointestinal bleeding. History of gastrointestinal bleeding (578), including positive occult blood (792.1) if the
cause has not been corrected, is disqualifying. Meckel’s diverticulum (751.0), if surgically corrected greater than 6
months prior, is not disqualifying.
e. Hepatic-biliary tract.
(1) Current acute or chronic hepatitis, hepatitis carrier state (070), hepatitis in the preceding 6 months, or persistence
of symptoms after 6 months, or objective evidence of impairment of liver function is disqualifying.
(2) Current or history of cirrhosis (571), hepatic cysts (573.8), abscess (572.0), or sequelae of chronic liver disease
(571.3) is disqualifying.
( 3 ) C u r r e n t o r h i s t o r y o f s y m p t o m a t i c c h o l e c y s t i t i s , a c u t e o r c h r o n i c , w i t h o r w i t h o u t c h o l e l i t h i a s i s ( 5 7 4 ) ,
postcholecystectomy syndrome, or other disorders of the gallbladder and biliary system (576) are disqualifying.
Cholecystectomy is not disqualifying if performed greater than 6 months prior to examination and patient remains
asymptomatic. Fiberoptic procedure to correct sphincter dysfunction or cholelithiasis if performed greater than 6
months prior to examination and patient remains asymptomatic may not be disqualifying.
(4) Current or history of pancreatitis, acute (577.0) or chronic (577.1), is disqualifying.
(5) Current or history of metabolic liver disease, including, but not limited to hemochromatosis (275.0), Wilson’s
disease (275.1), or alpha-1 anti-trypsin deficiency (277.6), is disqualifying
(6) Current enlargement of the liver from any cause (789.1) is disqualifying.
f. Anorectal.
(1) Current anal fissure or anal fistula (565) is disqualifying.
(2) Current or history of anal or rectal polyp (569.0), prolapse (569.1), stricture (569.2), or fecal incontinence
(787.6) within the last 2 years is disqualifying.
(3) Current hemorrhoid (internal or external), when large, symptomatic, or with a history of bleeding (455) within
the last 60 days, is disqualifying.
g. Spleen.
(1) Current splenomegaly (789.2) is disqualifying.
(2) History of splenectomy (P41.5) is disqualifying, except when resulting from trauma.
h. Abdominal wall.
(1) Current hernia, including, but not limited to uncorrected inguinal (550) and other abdominal wall hernias (553),
are disqualifying.
(2) History of open or laparoscopic abdominal surgery during the preceding 6 months (P54) is disqualifying.
i. Other. History of any gastrointestinal procedure for the control of obesity is disqualifying. Artificial openings,
including, but not limited to ostomy (V44), are disqualif

Q: Having had intestinal surgery I can no longer digest anything, it all releases, what can I take to strentghen?
I am also diabetic, so no alternatives in sweets if possible also it’s been 2 years since the surgery and right after a meal I release. Liquid never hard or solid formed, every meal and every day. I have the BMs so often I get dehydrated and feel fatigued-dizzy and blah. Here is some details on the matter it was intestinal recession obstructure and twist which called for a removal of six feet small intestine to be removed. It was exploratory, so in a plea of someone somewhere about to help me out, what can I do to repair this reaction, perhaps due to the surgery or botched exploration, what is recommended to have a normal life again?

A: Seeing a different doctor, either an internist or an endocrinologist is the best suggestion.

Supplement your diet with fiber, such as BeneFiber, to help “solidify” things. It would seem that somehow you’re suffering froma Vitamin deficiency of some kind, but you really, really need to have a doctor tell you the next course of action.

Also, if you are taking Metformin (Fortamet, Glucophage), the medication is known to have a laxative effect on some diabetics. Additionally, you should avoid sorbitol and saccharin, as they both also cause a laxative effect.

Q: 12 year old cat diagnosed with intestinal tumor – Should I go through with surgery or not?
Please tell me if you have had this experience and what the outcome was. From what ive been told and read, the success rate isn’t so good.
The operation will be tomorrow morning. Should we reconsider?

A: This happened to my brother’s cat and the vet advised they open her up and see if it was operable and if not then they wouldn’t wake her up again . I think if it was me I would go ahead with the operation and see what they find-good luck. Even if it just buys your cat a bit more time with a good quality of life then it’s worth it.

Q: What are the alternative treatments(not surgery to remove)for an intestinal blockage due to hair ball in cats?

A: you can add sunflower oil.olive oil or cod liver oil to a cats diet

Q: Polyp Surgery?
Do you have to remove nipple peircings when getting surgery for Polyp (sinus surgery)

A: Anytime you have surgery it should be removed.

Q: Is nose polyp surgery more effective, if the doctor burns the root of the polyp after removing it?
I have nose polyps, and am considering getting surgery for it.
I have been reading up on this , and it seems like there is a high chance that they grow back… I also read on a doctor’s site that after he removes the polyp, he burns the area, and even though it creates a scar tissue, it stops the polyps to grow back (at least in that immediate area) …….. has anyone experienced polyp surgery?

A: I am a nasal surgeon, and polyps do have a high propensity for recurrence. I have found they are less likely to recur if I also surgically open the sinus the polyp is blocking, and I usually put my patients on a nasal steroid spray after surgery to help prevent recurrence. Ask your surgeon all of your questions before agreeing to a procedure.

Q: How much does nasal polyp surgery cost?
Living in Oklahoma, allergies are bad but with polyps, they are even worse. I have had polyps for quite some time but it has gotten to the point that its effecting my daily life at work and school. Is the surgery permanent and what are the costs if you have insurance (I do have that at least)?

A: You can easily check your minimal health care rates in internet, for example here – healthquotes.awardspace.info

Q: Will the nasal polyp surgery help my allergies?
I have the WORST allergies. One minute I’m coughing. The next I’m draining from the eyes. Then I’m constantly clearing the drainage from my throat.
My doctor advised me to have the polyps removed. I’ve been researching the procedure and think the surgery is meant to assist with breathing problems. I can breathe fine, but this constant Post-Nasal drip is getting ridiculous!

A: I have known people who resolved to not going through surgery and their polyps would resolve by apropriately understanding the beast behind allergies.

Visit the site below for further information

Q: Looking for advice from folks who’ve had nasal polyp surgery to restore taste & smell?
I’m considering having nasal polyp surgery (I have 1 polyp) in hopes of restoring my senses of taste & smell, which I haven’t been able to enjoy for the better part of 3 years (have lost 23 pounds that I didn’t even need to lose). Has anyone else out there suffered this malady & had the surgery? I’m looking for opinions & advice. Thank you!

A: My cousin did. He said that it was really a great decision to do it but then again, he couldn’t taste or smell anything for past 15 years.

Q: How long does it take to recover from polyp surgery (in the nose)? (Answers needed really soon, please!)?
I’m having my surgery this upcoming Friday (August 17, 2007) to have my polyp in my nose removed. I’ve done it three years ago in the opposite nostril, so this will be my second time. I really want to know how long it’ll take to recover because I got tickets to the Vans Warped Tour on August 25, 2007 and I’ve been waiting/wanting to go for the LONGEST time ever. Do you think a week (or 6 days) would be probably enough?
Thank you!
-Kimberly.
(I’m 12 years old, I had my first polyp surgery when I was 9.)

A: Its a bit late now, as your surgery will be done! You should be feeling well again within a few days to a week. I wish you a speedy recovery!

Q: How much will it cost a nasal polyp surgery ?

A: You can easily check your minimal health care rates in internet, for example here – health-quotes.isgreat.org

Q: anyone ever have surgery to remove a polyp from their vocal cord? how long did recovery take?
I’m a mezzo-soprano and I have to get surgery to remove a polyp. What is this surgery like and how could it affect my voice?! thanks for all answers in advance!!

A: Oh I feel for you,you must be very worried if you’re a singer. I’m an opera singer… I think that the surgery shouldn’t be too traumatic, as long as you follow your post recovery plan to the letter. I’m not sure where you are (I’m in the UK), but I’d advise that you ask very specific questions to your ENT specialist. I’ve heard that different types of intubation (plastic, or rubber) can have a massive impact on how quickly you recover (one type can adhere to the cords, and cause more damage, which is very important as a singer.

I think the surgery is only a very short procedure, and not very painful, but this website seems to be very helpful:

http://www.voicemedicine.com/polyp.htm

The best of luck to you, I hope you feel better soon!

Q: Anal Polyp Surgery Scarring?
Hi guys,

Just had surgery to remove an anal polyp and i was just wondering what the likelehood of having internal scarring would be as i’ve heard it can reduce the ability of the gut walls to stretch and cause discomfort. Is this likely or true?

Thanks guys
Thanks for the second response. I just don’t want it to scar and become less stretchy and cause pain or discomfort or pain during anal sex. Is there anything i can do to prevent scarring and loss of elasticity?

A: Probably

Q: cervical polyp surgery will i be awake for this?
i have cervical polyps that need to be removed?
will i be awake for this! cause it sounds scary.and i have big anxiety for these kinda things. i dont even get my teeth done at the dentist with out gas mask and im 26 years old. i heard its done in an office? so does that mean im gonna be awake! and see my legs on stirrups as the dr. twist and pulls and cuts a polyp i dont think i like this idea!

A: i don’t mean to scare ya but I think you’ll be awake for it. I had abnormal tissue burnt from my cervix and was awake for the whole thing. Because I was so scared the doctor did give me a shot of something to calm me down which worked. Hope it goes well. Be brave!! Oh and don’t worry, I am 30 and the biggest chicken about doctors and dentists.

Q: how much is nasal polyp surgery?
i live in atlanta georgia and have nasal polyps i just want to know a ruff estimate for the price of surgery

A: around 2 thousand dollars

Q: Nasal Polyp Surgery?
My wife is having this nasal polyp surgery due to a chronic allergy infection and incredibly horrible allergies. She is scared because she has had surgery in the past due to a brain tumor. That surgery was succesful but she is very scared of surgery. Has anyone had this surgery? I think if she heard from people who actually had the surgery performed that maybe she would feel better.

A: Yes, I had surgery last October to remove two nasal polyps, along with a plethora of other things from my nose!
It was a very easy surgery. Naturally, there were the regular side affects when I woke up- I was drowsy and exhausted, but I was able to walk around just a few hurs after surgery. I really could not feel anything in my nose, except a slightly wet sensaton. I went home from the hospital wearing some smll blue stretchy thing that held a gauze under my nose just in case I bled anymore. It didn’t really get in my way, but I did have to change them every day.
I was back up and going about my daily routine abou five days later. I had three or four follow up appointments, where the ENT dr. examined thenose.
Overall, the most painful part was getting the gauze IN my nose removed at the first follow-up. I recommen taking some pain killers well in advance before going.
It really was not all that bad, and I wish your wife a speedy recovery!

Q: nasal polyp surgery stories?!?
im about to have nasal polyp surgery done soon with the endoscope. I would really enjoy having people tell me of their experiences with nasal polyps. and did they have to break your nose? and whats the worst part of nasal polyp surgery? did they come back? did you lose your sense of smell? i am so nervous!

A: I had my polyps removed last thursday, a week ago.
at 9-30am I entered the prep room for the anasthetic, within 2 minutes i was asleep.
The next thing i know is I am looking at the clock saying 2pm and have an oxygen mask over my face.
The first thing i wanted to do was to get the mask off, maybe thats just me, but the nurse said leave it on as it helps clot the blood.
Then about half an hour later i was a bit more with it and walked to the recovery room and sat in there for4 hours.
in that time i was made about 4 cups of tea and 2 glasses of water.
Three o clock comes and the nurse says i am going to give you some painkillers and then at four o clock we will be taking the packing out of your nose.
4pm comes and i walk to a cubicle and the packing comes out…….this bit was not nice. I lost about a pint of blood but the nurse was brilliant and calmed me. when they get pulled out it feels weird, like when you crunch a leather sofa in your hand…..but in your head and you have to pull your head against the nurse pulling the tampon out of your nose, i can say there wasnt any pain but the experience of the blood coming out was not nice.
6pm comes and off home i go.
i actually felt quite wide awake, but for the next 3 days i slept 3 hours and was awake 3 hours, you get a wipeout kind of feeling where your energy is just zapped.
had fish and chips on the fourth day………THE FIRST SMELL!WOW
this was my first smell and it was amazing, it really hit me then i could smell again, and taste.
from there my smell and taste was better day by day, but there is like a dog smell i could smell, but i was told it was the blood in my nose.
day 6,7 and 8 was a little uncomfortable as the clots wanted to come out and i snorted them down my throat and out my mouth, they come out black and make you gag.
there are no black eyes, i was told i looked ten years younger, maybe a little exxagerated but my face has changed for the better and i feel absolutely great, there are no words.
i am glad i had it done, the way i see it is if you can put up with 3 days of inconvenience and a little dizziness it worth it, or you could carry on feeling tired, no smell or taste and grumpy, which is what i was, my energy levels now are brilliant.
ADVICE: i put cold water in the fridge, really cold that helped alot and it also helps your complexion alot. carry on with it, and it helps with the blocked nose.
there is nothing to worry about, i worried like you but my god, i feel different, even driving……..it feels like a new car, i feel like a new me.
have it done you wont regret it.
take care
trev

Q: Nasal polyp surgery?
Hey,
im 13, and discovered 1 month ago that I have a polyp in the left side of my nose. It was completely blocked. I have a cat scan tomorrow for a surgery… Also, the doctor found that the same polyp is also showing in the back of my throat. I need the surgery for my breathing, but one of ym worst fears is having a surgery and being unconcious. I’ve been really healthy for ym whole life, except allergies… My question is will the surgery hurt? How long will it be? and how can i deal with my fears??
also, i read polyps can be cancerous, is that true??

A: My best friend (who is 23) has had the same surgery. He said that the surgery itself is basically like time skips forward from the moment you go under to it already being over. They gave him the sleeping gas and had him count backwards from ten, and by the time he got to 8 he was asleep. It’s actually a pretty relaxed moment when they put you to sleep considering that you’re in an office and everything.

After the surgery, I think his nose was sore for several days. However, the post-surgery drugs they give you can be very effective at getting rid of pain. He said the worst part was just the fact that your nose is bleeding for a long time, so you constantly have tissues and bandages in your nose to stop that part. For the overall experience, he said it was annoying because it takes several days before you can get back to normal, but he had no real complaints about the pain or anything like that.

My guess is that it takes a week max for you to get back to regular you, but your breathing and smelling will be so much easier that it’s worth it. Obviously your doctor can give you the most accurate explanation, but this is the best I can do to explain what it’s like from a patient’s point of view.

Good luck and get better quick!

Q: Nasal Polyp surgery , what to expect?
I have a consultation 1st and then they may perform surgery

what can I expect?

A: Expect pregnancy….FROM ME!

Q: How long does a bleeding ulcer surgery take to recover from?
I have a bleeding ulcer and have been advised to have surgery. I need to know how long I will be layed up?

A: 19 agonising weeks.

Q: How long does it take to recover from stomach ulcer surgery?
how many days or weeks should i plan on being out of work. i can not get a straight answer. they are going to remove the ulcer or part of the stomach. thanks

A: 9 days

Q: My pug has an eye ulcer and needs surgery?
Does any one know if there are any type of programs that will sponsor my pug to have a $2,200.00 eye surgery for an ulcer?

A: Have you considered simply having the eye removed? It is called enucleation. It is cheaper than what you are considering, and will solve any future problems that might require surgery. Often, after surgeries are done to remove the ulcer and place the lens plus recovery, the dog looses sight. Doing enucleation completely solves the problem and only runs about six hundred dollars. Just because I have seen so many return visits by people having the ulcers treated, I would choose the other. The success rate in treating ulcers, especially descemetocole, is not high.

Q: How long does peptic ulcer surgery last?
How many hours?

A: It really depends on the overall health condition of the patient undergoing surgery and if there are any complications or unexpected situations that arise during surgery. Talk to the doctor who will be performing the surgery to see what his or her expectations are for how long it should last and the prognosis.

Q: what can you eat after peptic ulcer surgery?
.

A: The doctor that discharges you will give you exact instructions on what to eat (or not eat).
It depends on how successful th surgery is and what you can tolerate.
http://heartburn.about.com/od/pepticulcers/ss/ulcerguide_6.htm
http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/tc/peptic-ulcer-disease-surgery

http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec09/ch121/ch121c.html

I would follow the instructions very carefully when they decide what is best. You will most likely go on a clear liuid diet, then soft foods, then whatever they decide.

Q: what can my father eat after surgery with stomach ulcer?
My father has been taken to Hospital last friday with bleeding. He has been operated with ulcer.
Only yestarday he got proper but light meal. He suppose to come home this Saturday. What can my mum cook for him? And what are the chances for this case to reoccur again. He is 72 year-old, in fairly good condition luckily, however I am a bit concerned.

A: He needs to follow the Dr.’s orders on what to eat and what not to eat. When there is a condition regarding the stomach the Dr will have specific instructions.

Q: If you have an ulcer can you still have gastric bypass surgery?
I am currently on the waiting list to have a Gastric Bypass Roux en Youx (in the next eight weeks). The surgery is to be performed as open surgery, however my G.P. feels i may have a stomach ulcer (due to my syptoms) i take omeprazole 40mg a day and i am wondering wether it is safe to have the op if i have an ulcer? If any one in the medical proffesion could please help with my query id really appreciate it.

A: Shouldn’t be a problem. We test all of our patients 6 weeks before surgery for H pylori and treat them with antibiotics accordingly to prevent any complications with he surgery. You should ask you surgeon specifically about this treatment and remediation, not your GP.

Dont know if open is your only choice, but laparoscopic is the preferred method for this day and age.

Below is an excellent web site that can give you all the info you could ever use for WLS.

Good luck,

Q: An ulcer in a cats eye, question about surgery?
My mothers 1yr old ragdoll cat has an ulcer in his left eye. 3 weeks ago they had to have it sewn shut so it would heal, just wondering if anyone else has had to do this for their cat and if the surgery (eye closing) was successful and how the cat was afterwards? She is getting the eye opened today but was just curious how many cats go thru this.

A: I had this happen to a kitten I found. He had ulcers in both eyes. Took him to the vets and he sewn both of them shut. I don’t know how bad your cats eye is but this kitten was going blind. The operation was to save what last minute eyesight he had left. He ended up being blind in one eye which the vet had already knew it may not help him and the other side had saved him partial vision. It just depends on how long the ulcers had been going on before the treatment took place.

Q: How do you say “Stomach Ulcer” in Hindi? Do you have to get a surgery in India, if it bursts in the stomach?
How do you say “Stomach Ulcer” in Hindi? Do you have to get a surgery in India, if it bursts in the stomach?

A: Ulcer to develop in stomach takes time i.e if you have gastritis for a long time and if untreated will lead to stomach ulcer. even after the formation of ulcer if you don’t take proper treatment under medical advice this can lead to perforation and then it becomes an emergency surgery. So don’t wait for it to burst and take advice from your family doctor

Q: Bleeding ulcer how long does surgery usually take? Recovery time?
My uncle is going in to have surgery to fix a bleeding ulcer on his stomach. I’m wondering how long the surgery will take and what kind of complications if any will he have afterwards.

A: If the problem is a bleeding ulcer, you could bleed to death. If a tumor is present, it could be cancerous—and the cancer could spread.

A gastrectomy (gas-TREK-tuh-mee) is surgery to remove all or part of your stomach. The most common reasons for the operation are a stomach tumor or a bleeding ulcer. The operation is performed through a long incision in the abdomen. Surgery typically lasts 1 to 3 hours.

Once the surgery is completed, you will be taken to a post-operative or recovery unit where a nurse will monitor your progress. It is important that your bandages be kept clean and dry. The nasogastric tube will be kept in place to keep the stomach empty. It will be removed when the stomach and bowel functions return to normal. This is usually within two to three days.

Most patients are in the hospital from seven to ten days with a gastrectomy.

There are always risks with surgery. You might develop internal bleeding or get an infection. Blood clots could form and lodge in the lungs, making it difficult to breath. However, medical personnel are always alert for such complications, and the risks of foregoing surgery are usually greater.

Q: Does anybody jknow anything about ulcer surgery?
How long does it take to recover from that kind of surgery typically?

A: When my son had this op. He was three days in hospital.He was back at work a week later For a month he was on a strict diet.Light exercise and no smokes

Q: Stomach Ulcer surgery. Has anyone had or know someone who has had Ulcer surgery? Im having surgery where?
they will remove half of my stomach. I only have a 2 ounce stomach so do you know what my diet will be like post op? How long does the surgery take and how long will I be in the hospital?

A: You should only be in the hospital a few days – every person is different in their recovery period. And, you will be on liquids for a long time.

Q: had preforated ulcer surgery 3/27/08?
ok, i had surgery for a open ulcer on 3/27/08. last week i went to the dentist and had a tooth pulled, and now i have a dry socket. he gave me a rx foor 20 lorecet 10’s and a refill. needless to say, i went through the 20 in three days and now have the other rx filled. the pain just keeps getting worse. i’m going to see him tomorrow to get it fixed. but over this weekend, i have been in severe pain and the lorecet has kept me mostly out of it and asleep. so does lorecet, which has tylenol in it, cause or re-injure a preforated ulcer?
my question is this: will the lorecet 10’s hurt my stomach. my ulcer was caused by using goody powders for most of my adult life. NEVER WILL TAKE ANOTHER ONE!
so if anyone can help, i would greatly appreciate it.
thanks,
lisa

A: ok i know nothing about what you’re talking about. but 3/27 is my birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! yayyyy. sry I have no idea what ur talking about.

Q: Is Cornea transplantation better for my cornea ulcer or PRK (Lasek) surgery?
My Cornea ulcer is thick and I have that one for about 19 mounths.

A: transplant by far- Why keep the inferior tissue?

Q: why would they operate on my dogs ulcer instead of givin him eyedrops if surgery might cause blindness??
thays true i did wait a couple days before taking him to the vet thinkin it will get better on its own and if i healed it.

A: If you let the Ulcer/infection go to long it becomes beyond ointments and eye drops. Once the Ulcer burst or dye doesn’t stick … it’s to late.If you are not confident in the vet, then by all means get a second opinion. They DO make mistakes and they DO malpractice now and then.

Q: any research done on loss of sense of smell due to nasal polyps surgery?
no longer can smell after snasal polyps surgery, although steroids brought back smell for a few months after first two surgeries. I obtained one sniff of smell all of last year, and, 4th and 5th surgeries, yielded no smell with use of steroids. Has research found something to bring back any smell at all?

A: probably there is recurrence of polyposis. may be small polypi in the roof of nose-at the site of olfactory nerve, which is responsible for smell.
get ENT check up done

Q: I was given too much anesthesia while having nasal polyps surgery?
I obtained my records from that day and I found out they gave me too much anesthesia, plus fluid overload which caused CHF. They kept me in h ospital, all the while not telling me, leading me to believe I just got sick on the anesthesia. Do I have a legal case? I was kept in the hospital because of their error.

A: You need to prove that u have suffered due to medical negligence. Unless u are very sure that there was medical negligence on the part of the hospital u don’t stand a good chance of winning the case.

Q: how do you get rid of nasal polyps without surgery?
i have not been able to smell for over a year, and i have gone to the doctor and they put me on prednisone which shrunk the polyps and i was able to smell again, but shortly after i couldnt smell. any answers?

A: I’ve had a lot of nasal polyps due to allergies, so I know how you feel.

You don’t want to stay on prednisone very long. It makes you gain weight, hurts your immune system and other problems.

The surgery I had was worthwhile, but if you don’t want to do that there are some nasal sprays that help: flonase and nasacort are 2 that I’ve liked.

Q: how much does it cost for the nasal polyps surgery in Dallas, tx USA?
i might have to operate very soon.

A: even i need to know how much it will cost in USA to do a lasar or endoscopic surgery for removal of nasal polyps

Q: How long would it take for Nasal Polyps to grow back after surgery?
I had surgery last november to remove Lots of nasal polyps (like seriously loads, every sinus was blocked) and its been about 4 months now and my nose now feels just as bad as before and i can’t breathe again? How long does it take for them to grow back?

A: it may take around 6 months and sometimes more.. its better you check the articles i found in allergy liberation UK for your doubts regarding sinus and lots, its really worth to read from this site, you can check that here

http://www.allergyliberation.co.uk/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=39

Q: What to do when you have recurring nasal polyps and surgery isn’t helping. How can you get rid of them?
Can they be shrunk? What alternative is there to having multiple surgeries? They just come back

A: I used multiple courses of antibiotics along with steroid tapers. Helped while I was on it, but polyps came right back. I also used a steroid nasal spray (like Flonase or Nasonex.) I had the surgery which helped quite a bit, but they did recur. I ended up going to an allergist and we worked very aggressively to manage my allergies better (I was put on Clarinex and Singulair along with the Flonase.) I haven’t had a problem since.

Q: I got diagnosed with nasal polyps ,and Dr wants to take them out with surgery?
Has anyone had nasal polyps and have them removed with surgery,or found relief without surgery?.If you had them removed was the problem fixed and could you breath better?.

A: I wish my doctor had told me that 35 years ago when I was diagnosed. All he said was “don’t bother, they’ll just grow back.” I have never breathed out of my right nostril and would like to at some point, so I guess I’ll have to get a referral to an ENT doc.

Q: Does anyone know of a cure for Nasal Polyps other than surgery and steriod nasal sprays?
I’m alergic to asprin and have asthma. I know it’s called Samters syndrome. I want to know if anyone has had this conditioned cured via alternative medicine? I’ve had two operations and the polyps grow back.

NO SPAM Please.

A: I recently helped a patient with nasal polyps by using acupuncture. Her polyps went away and have not come back as of yet. One was so big it was actually blocking one of her nasal passages. She has been very happy with the results. However, this is a single case… worth a try though.

Q: Cysts and polyps in sinus cavities, should I get surgery?
I have been experiencing increasing amounts of headaches in the last couple years.

Found out, with an MRI, that my sinus cavities have alot of cysts and polyps in them, and that could be causing my headaches and dizziness.

My doctor said that it was up to me to have them removed.

Has anyone experianced this, did you get relief from a surgery, is it worth it????

Thanks for helping me out!

A: I had 3 polyps in my sinus cavity, and had them removed. It’s been about 15 years now. I still have problems with my sinus as far as congestion and pressure, but I have none of the pain I had before the surgery.

For me I would do again because I was in terrible pain and it was causing alot of sinus infections, so even though I still have problems with my sinus I say it was worth it.

Q: is there any other treatment for nasal polyps beside surgery?
my mom has nasal polyps and i just want to find a way to help her
is there any other way? like herbals?? pls let me know

A: STEROIDS

OTHER THAN THAT

NEIN

SORRY

BUT THE SURGERY DO HELP

Q: Is there a natural way(no surgery) to shrink nasal polyps?
I have had three operations for nasal polyps and they are back again. The ENT is reluctant to operate once more. Can Caster Oil shrink polyps? I have frequent sinus infections and I am at a loss as to what to do.

A: my aunt has the same condition and so does my cousin, and both of them had to get surgery. They tried the various remedies but nothing seemed to work. For them the surgery is what ended the polyps.

Q: surgery to remove polyps and fibroid no period yet can i get pregnant?
had surgery to remove polyps and fibroid on June 13. removed laproscopically. period normally comes around the 27th of the month.

A: Hi,
This is one of those tough decisions where you cannot get pregnant if you don’t get those removed. On the other hand, if you get the surgery, that may also result in scar formation and prevent you from getting pregnant.
If you haven’t had the surgery yet, try to find out if they can give you the injection to reduce those growths. As far as I know it is an available option. You just get the injection at precise locations targeting the fibroids and those shrink. You can find out if that can be done for the polyps though.
Have patience, you may get lucky soon !
Good luck !

Q: Is nose polyp surgery more effective, if the doctor burns the root of the polyp after removing it?
I have nose polyps, and am considering getting surgery for it.
I have been reading up on this , and it seems like there is a high chance that they grow back… I also read on a doctor’s site that after he removes the polyp, he burns the area, and even though it creates a scar tissue, it stops the polyps to grow back (at least in that immediate area) …….. has anyone experienced polyp surgery?

A: I am a nasal surgeon, and polyps do have a high propensity for recurrence. I have found they are less likely to recur if I also surgically open the sinus the polyp is blocking, and I usually put my patients on a nasal steroid spray after surgery to help prevent recurrence. Ask your surgeon all of your questions before agreeing to a procedure.

Q: How much does nasal polyp surgery cost?
Living in Oklahoma, allergies are bad but with polyps, they are even worse. I have had polyps for quite some time but it has gotten to the point that its effecting my daily life at work and school. Is the surgery permanent and what are the costs if you have insurance (I do have that at least)?

A: You can easily check your minimal health care rates in internet, for example here – healthquotes.awardspace.info

Q: Will the nasal polyp surgery help my allergies?
I have the WORST allergies. One minute I’m coughing. The next I’m draining from the eyes. Then I’m constantly clearing the drainage from my throat.
My doctor advised me to have the polyps removed. I’ve been researching the procedure and think the surgery is meant to assist with breathing problems. I can breathe fine, but this constant Post-Nasal drip is getting ridiculous!

A: I have known people who resolved to not going through surgery and their polyps would resolve by apropriately understanding the beast behind allergies.

Visit the site below for further information

Q: Ulcerative colitis surgery – has anyone had surgery to remove the bowel?
If anyone has had surgery to remove their bowel, could you please tell me how it has affected your life? Is your quality of life better after having the surgery, and were there any side-effects? I have had UC for two years and no medications are working. I am not employed at the moment because I’m so sick all of the time, I am seriously considering having the surgery so I can lead a normal life like everyone else. Thank you
Swapan, would you mind please listing the foods that you mentioned made the disease worse? Thank you

A: I have had a few operations and yes you can lead your life forward yet yes there is some changes of course. i had a huge operation at the age of 12 and not knowing all of the out come i have allot of things i wish i would of known and will always have things I wish were different of that I could change( it is life). you have to love yourself and if your sickness is life or death then I say it is your choice(life is always beautiful,smile).
just to say..I’ve never been on this sight b4 but you caught my eye so here I am. To make it short,I am married and I have 4 children and believe that you can do anything,deal with life as long as you start with you.IT”S ALL ABOUT YOU!

Q: what is the ulcerative colitis surgery?
my sister is suffering uc , now doctor ask for surgery , this is possible for normal life after surgery

A: UC surgery has two types that I am aware of. One is the complete removal of the large intestine and colon which results in a cholostomy bag for the rest of your life. The second is a shortening of the large intestine but it remains connected to your colon. Which results in frequent bowel movements due to the shortened intestine.

Both, I believe, are curative, have a high success rate and result in a completely acceptible standard of living afterwards. Good luck to your sister.

Q: Can you get ulcerative colitis after having colostomy reversal surgery?
I had my surgery about two months ago now, i keep having periods of time with blood in stool and all of the other symptoms for ulcerative colitis but sometimes it will just go away for like a week or few days and then come back again.

A: NO.

My answer assumes that your real question is “can colostomy reversal CAUSE ulcerative colitis?” – the answer is no.

But findin blood in the stool is always serious — you probably do not have ulcerative colitis unless you were previously diagnosed with this condition – it would not suddenly start after surgery. Do not make your own diagnosis like this — this is dangerous, and you may be missing something serious or deadly.

See your doctor right away!

Q: I have ulcerative colitis, and want to join the army after major surgery to get rid of it, could i?
The surgery would be completely removing my colon but then make another out of my small intestine. (I think) But it would completely rid me of ulcerative colitis and I’ll be able to live a regular life once I’ve made it through recovery.

A: Unless it severely hinders your ability to enjoy life, I wouldn’t recommend surgery. If it’s keeping you out of the military, and your doctor says it would best for you, then go ahead. But otherwise, reserve surgery as a last resort.

Q: people who had surgery for ulcerative colitis plz help …???
I have ulcerative colitis for about 5 years and i’m not doing fine right now .. but anyway … what i realy wanna know is how your lives changed after having surgery …and what are the risks of having sugery …. i went into alot of websites about sugery for UC and i can’t understand…!!! they sound like it’s something bad or that your gonna be suffering for the rest of your life of side affects … so i wanna know what is the good side of the surgery and the bad side of it …… ?

A: I have not had this surgery, but my girlfriend did. She was in her early twenties and they could not get her uc under control. She was fired from jobs because of the amount of time she spent in bathrooms basically she had lost control of her bowels.
The decision was made to have the surgery. She said it changed her life for the better and would not change a thing. She got married had children and has led a full and happy life. She has had very few side effects in the 15+ years she has had her J Pouch. Only recently she had to have her bowels re-connected due to an abscess that occurred. She said it was a minor thing, but then again she had always had a very good outlook on life.

I get the feeling from other sites I have read that the majority of people who have had their colons removed are very happy as they can stop being so effected by were and when they might have to use the bathroom.

Good luck to you. I hope you get better soon.

Q: When comparing Chron’s disease and ulcerative colitis, which of the following is true?
1.The cause of Chron’s disease is known, whereas the cause of ulcerative colitis isn’t known.
2. Chron’s disease can be found anywhere in the digestive tract, whereas ulcerative colitis is generally found in the colon and rectum.
3. Patients with both conditions benefit equally well from surgery.
4. Ulcerative colitis is remitting, whereas Chron’s disease is constant.

A: I have Crohn’s Disease so I’m going on what I have read about them both;

1. False. It’s not known what kicks off Crohn’s.
2. True. I have Crohn’s in both intestine (large & Small) and in my esophagus.
3. Surgery for both can give you years symptom free but can keep coming back, it is not a cure. Trouble is you can run out of intestine to remove after so long.
4. Crohn’s Disease can go into remission if treated.

I hope this helps you!! )

Q: Is surgery a good option if i have ulcerative colitis?
my doctor wants me to get surgery to remove my colon but my parents do not want me to

A: Ulcerative colitis is a disease that affects many parts of the body outside the intestinal tract. In rare cases the extra-intestinal manifestations of the disease may require removal of the colon.
Surgery is also indicated for patients with severe colitis or toxic megacolon. Patients with symptoms that are disabling and do not respond to drugs may wish to consider whether surgery would improve the quality of life. So I think ur doctor must have a proper reason to his decision. better go on with that decision. And taking advice from a Specialist of that field would be a fine idea too.GOOD LUCK!!

Q: When comparing Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, which of the following is TRUE?
A. the cause of Crohn’s disease is known, whereas the cause of ulcerative coitis isnt known.
B. Ulcreative colitis is remitting, whereas Crohns disease is constant.
C.Patints with both conditions benefit equally well from surgery.
D. Crohns disease can be found anywhere in the digestive tract whereas ulcraive colitis is generally found in the colon and rectum.

A: D.

Q: Ulcerative colitis?
Whoever has had an ileo anal resection, i just recently had the first part of the surgery, (my surgeon does it in three parts) and i was wondering what exactly the second part is supposed to do, i just no i will get an ileostomy on the other side of my stomach.

A: resection of involved segment of the gut with an ileostomy is the aim and your surgeon has planned only he can enlighten you.

Q: did anyone have this surgery Ileoanal or ileorectal anastomosis for ulcerative colitis???
i’m going to have this surgery and i want to know how the surgery went and how recovery was after

A: Ileorectal anastomoses are commonly done in total colectomies for UC. Ileoanals are alot tougher to do and there’s always fecal incontinence to worry about as side effect.

Q: I am suffering from Ulcerative Colitis. What kind of Diet should I go on to alleviate my symptoms?
I have gone to many doctors, and the best solutions they offered were surgery and taking a bunch of pills and suppositories that don’t really work. I don’t know what to do and the symptoms havent gotten better after a month. What should I do?

A: The most important thing to do is to reduce the incidence of diarrhea and blood. Probiotics, especially the sacchromyces boulardii yeast are known to reduce and even eliminate the diarrhea. Research has shown that boulardii up to 6 times a day is important for UC patients. Below are a list of not too many bacteria that are readily available on various websites or a place like Whole Foods.

As far as diet goes you want to minimize the ingestion of sulfur containing foods, especially if you are experiencing rotten egg smelling farts as those kind of farts are indicating that you have a high concentration of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) which is a toxic byproduct of protein digestion. Those stinky farts also mean that your body is not properly detoxifying the H2S and will weaken the colon cells. Less meat, less onions and garlic, are important ways of reducing the sulfide precursors.

As far as things to add, make sure that you are ingesting the bifidobacteria listed below and get some Metamucil, which is essentially repackaged Psyllium husks, or Plantago Ovata fiber. The combination of Psyllium and bifidobacteria has been shown to be as effective as the standard pharmaceutical 5-ASA type drugs such as Pentasa or Mensalamine in clinical testing. Go figure $500/month vs. less than $60/month. The combination of 5-ASA, psyllium husk, and bifidobacteria is also beneficial.

As long as you are getting the bifidobacteria, try some oat bran, wheat bran, or brown rice. In in many patients the bran products help reduce inflammation.

There are many things you can to to ease colitis. Review the following list of KEYWORDs and go to http://www.pubmed.gov and type in: “ulcerative colitis” KEYWORD
to see the results of the peer reviewed journals. Here is the list…

lactobacillus and bifidobacteria: Kyodophilus by Wakanuga
lactoabacillus GG: Lactobacillus GG by Culturelle
sacchromyces boulardii: a gut friendly yeast by Jarrow
Pepto Bismol
Fish oil
bromelain
papain
quercetin
boswellia
vitamin C
vitamin E
magnesium in citrate or ionic form: traceminerals.com

The best but unpleasant treatment is a human fecal transplant. In pubmed type in: fecal Borody TJ
and you will see the articles. Download and review and you will learn that some people can be cured of ulcerative colitis. According to Borody, about 1/6 colitis patients get cured. You could be one of the lucky ones. I know folks who are doing well with this treatment.

Secondary possibilities
capric acid (not much research here but shown to be good against a Candida infection)
caprylic acid (not much research here but shown to be good against a Candida infection)

Q: What is the death rate for colostomy surgery?
I have ulcerative colitis and have been told that surgery is the only way to rid myself of the disease. The downside is that I will have to live with a colostomy bag. My real fear is not so much having a colostomy, but that I may die from the procedure. I am 29 years old and in reasonably good health aside from my condition.

A: With UC, you’ll have an ileostomy rather than a colostomy (ie all of your large intestine removed rather than just part of it) and believe me, what you’re imagining is far far worse than the reality of living with one actually is There is nothing I can’t do because of my ileostomy (except wear a bikini, but I do go swimming regularly during summer).

As for dieing during the surgery, I’ve been on the net for 10+ years supporting ostomates and never have I heard of anyone dieing during the procedure (and believe me, if anyone had, it would be all over the ostomy internet world – something like that would be big news) so that should tell you something about how rare it is.

Good luck.

Q: Help with Ulcerative Colitis?
My sister has had Ulcerative Colitis for about 10 years now. It is causing her a great deal of pain and distress at the moment. The doctor is now recommending surgery to remove part of her bowel. Obviously she is feeling very low, lacking energy (low iron) and generally awful. I feel completely useless and would like to help. She has two very active children which make life hectic too.

Any recommendations re diet, medication, alternative medicine, relaxation, help with sex – all appreciated.

A: I have worked in the Operating Room with UC patients. Our GI department head is a world reknown UC and Crohn’s surgeon. He gave us a presentation of the miseries of UC. My advice to her is to have the surgery. Our doc tells us that even when his patients end up with temporary colostomies(they come back and get it reversed most of the time), they are much happier than before the surgery. He’s said that a few of them are so happy that they didn’t even bother to get their ostomies reversed.
Once the bad tissue is removed, it takes about a year to feel completely healed. I have had a colectomy for other reasons, and I can tell you that the day my colon was removed was the best day of my life. It had literally been poisoning me for I don’t know how long.
The biggest challenge at first, is finding out what you can or cannot eat. Food will pass through your small bowel pretty fast, so it takes time to figure that out. However, you start getting better all over very quickly. It amazed me, once most of the immediate recovery from surgery was over- I felt better.
The surgeon she should see is Mark Koruda, at University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, NC. He’s an amazing surgeon who takes great care of his patients. People come from all over the place to have him do their surgeries. If your sister can’t leave the area, then contacting Dr Koruda may help her find the best local doctor for her. He knows alot of people and has trained a lot of great GI surgeons.

Q: My 22 year old husband has Ulcerative Colitis….?
Ulcerative colitis is a disease that causes inflammation and sores, called ulcers, in the top layers of the lining of the large intestine.

He found this out at the ER. The ER Doc referred him to a DR> which can’t get him in until the end of next month…and it will cost $245 just for the visit….we have no health insurance and CAN’T afford it…. he will most likely have to have surgery…What can we do to get him help…

We live in North Central, Arkansas…

Any info will be helpful

A: If he was an illegal alien, he could get free health care here in Dallas.

Q: I have Ulcerative Colitis. Does this mean that I will get Colon Cancer?
Hello. I was diagnosed with mild-moderate Ulcerative Colitis just two days ago. Being diagnosed and told that there is no cure (except maybe with surgery) really bummed me out. But as I read on about Ulcerative Colitis, I see that I am at higher risk of getting Colorectal Cancer.
To my knowledge, there is no family history of Colon Cancer but I’m sure that that makes little to no difference.
So is it likely that I will get colorectal cancer? And what can I do to prevent this?

Thanks in advance.~

A: Hi there – I have UC and I’m not sure what the%’s are of increase but there is an increased risk. From what I remember it is not a dramatic increase unless of course you leave your UC untreated. The best thing you can do is to check out Elaine Gottschall’s book Breaking the Vicious Cycle and also look up the Specific Carbohydrate Diet on the internet. The diet while pretty restrictive, has healed me once. I strayed away from it though when I became symptom free and it has now returned. I am going back on the diet immediately. Please consider how important diet is to your condition. Not very many gastros want to talk about this for some reason, they just start prescribing medicine. Please please check out this diet. It is hard – I’m not going to lie to you, but it did fix things for me. I just didn’t stick with it. Good luck and feel free to email me if you want any further information!