Atonic colon and surgery

[millatorch]

Hi there,

I am going to see a surgeon tomorrow after a long bout of constipation. This last month I have been on Go-Lytely colonoscopy prep to make me go to the bathroom while taking miralax 3x a day and amitiza 2x a day. Nothing works! I had a colonoscopy where they said my colon was too redundant to really scope. After a barium enema x ray they found that I have an extremely redundant colon that starts under my diaphraghm and may be the cause of the high and low abdominal cramping I have been having.

The doctor told me there's nothing left to do but have the surgery, and I am considering having it done, and have an appt tomorrow to see about having it laporoscopically. I have been reading all the posts on this board and everyone seems to have had some problems after surgery. Is that the norm? I am 31 and don't want to go through with this if I will still be constipated and just as immobile as I am because of the pain I am currently experiencing. Will the surgery really help, and has anyone had the surgery because of atonic colon?

Please DO NOT forward me to a similar post, as I am asking a pretty specific question.

By the way--I am also going to see an allergist before I have the surgery in case the constipation is due to a food allergy.....

[Karounio]

I too have a severely redundant descending colon with internal posterior hernia and with severe constipation over years and years and most recently malabsorption and extreme distention upon even eating a cracker. Just at the stage of talking surgery now. However, I did want to ease your mind to a couple of specifics:  First:  Most abdominal surgery will cause constipation, even if the idea is to correct it. But, If you are as constipated as I am, then any chance of  improvement is worth a try. Second, I too had a colonoscopy and endoscopy, thus was forced to drink one of a choice of 'cleaner outers'.  I chose the fast and furious - 1.5 gallons of Colyte and clear fluids the day before. PROBLEM WAS: I was so constipated and because of the redundant colon making matters worse, even Colyte did not work after the 1st glass as it is supposed to. Nor after the 2nd, or 3rd or....even after the 10th.  It was not until the very last few drops of all that medicine that FINALLY it began to work and with a lot of razor like pains throughout my belly and embarrassing moments.  But, I lived and now we are getting somewhere. Hope this helps somehow. My philosopy is  it can't be any worse than it is already, so for a handful of uncomfortable days to gain a life of betterment? Oh yes. It is worthy of a try. Pain is forgotten in moments, Feeling well and happy...never.  If you are nervous, get a 2nd opinion and do some research on the surgeon: years experience, any complaints etc. It is easy enough to find.

[histfan]

I also had a too long colon (described as being 2 feet longer than usual) that couldn't be scoped during a colonoscopy. I googled redundant colon and a Mayo Clinic site mentioned that it's not really abnormal and becomes a problem if the colon twists upon itself, a volvulus.  That's what I was diagnosed with in late June after a spell of severe constipation, bloating, severe gas above my waist and difficulty standing up straight and walking.  My immediate problems were alleviated with a 3+ day stay in the hospital, a sigmoidoscopy (straightened my colon for the time being) and 48+ ghastly hours on an NG tube, and I was advised to see a colo-rectal surgeon about surgery.  This situation would probably happen again!

Anyway, I had an open (due to the size of my dilated colon) partial colectomy in mid-August.  The surgeon stated he removed about 12 inches so my colon still might be a foot too long!:)  It wasn't an easy stay in the hospital.  I developed an ileus on the day I was to be released so back to the NG tube and a total of 9 days in the hospital.  I was on a low residue diet for a month and I'm gradually adding small amounts of fiber to my diet.

I think it can really vary how often one runs to the bathroom after this surgery.  Unlike many on this forum, I had only one incident (a couple days after I left the hospital) where I leaked during the night, and now go about 6-8 times a day, with the majority of them after a larger meal or a meal with more fiber.

Susan

[Morecambe]

Although I underwent a total colectomy for a complaint other than constipation, I can tell you that constipation is the last experience after the surgery.  If you have not already done so, read my experience of the aftermath of my operation on:-

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/523166

I predict that if you have the same operation as I did then you will be managing not constipation but highly liquid motions for some weeks/months to come

regards
Morecambe