Talk Cancer

Question:

I’d like to hear from everyone who has had their rectal stump removed. I want to know about the horror stories as well as the surgeries that went off without any complications. I’ve met with a general surgeon who has agreed to remove my rectal stump after the first of the year. I’ve had my ileostomy for over 2 years. I’m a paraplegic and have constant drainage from my butt plus I always stink. In preparation for the surgery and want to hear about the nightmares that other people have experienced. SR ———–== Posted via Deja News, The Discussion Network ==———- http://www.dejanews.com/       Search, Read, Discuss, or Start Your Own    

Response:

I had my rectal stump removed 1 1/2 years ago after having an ileostomy in 1975 for CD.  Before the surgery I was having blood oozing out and unable to control it.  When I sat on the toilet the blood would pour out.  So, it was removed.  They left in a drain on each side and it did take awhile for them to close.  I needed to wear a sanitary napkin for awhile so the drainage would not show from behind on my close.  It really was not that bad.  They leave the anal sphincter and you are really not aware that anything is different there except the anus has no hole.  While it is healing females will fees a burning sensation when urinating as the urine can flow back but a male will not have that problem.  Being a paraplegic you should not feel anything but will want to make sure it is checked frequently as you won’t know what is going on back there.  I wish you well, it really isn’t that bad.  DAWN **********************************************************

Response:

In article <74eq0a$v6…@nnrp1.dejanews.com>,   s_rih…@my-dejanews.com wrote: > I’d like to hear from everyone who has had their rectal stump removed. > I want to know about the horror stories as well as the surgeries that > went off without any complications. > I’ve met with a general surgeon who has agreed to remove my > rectal stump after the first of the year. I’ve had my ileostomy for > over 2 years. I’m a paraplegic and have constant drainage from my > butt plus I always stink. > In preparation for the surgery and want to hear about the > nightmares that other people have experienced. > SR

Hi. I had my rectal stump removed 11 years ago, almost without a hitch. Everything went well, except that it hurt like he** and I couldn’t sit for a while, but for the most part, it was the best thing I did.  They sewed mine up.  I’ve heard other people say that theirs weren’t sewn up.  Mine was sewn up and healed quite nicely.  I did have one spot that wasn’t healing properly, but a few applications with silver nitrate, which also hurt like he**, healed it up quite nicely. Sure do like the fact that I don’t have to hassle with the output from a stump. Crystal > ———–== Posted via Deja News, The Discussion Network ==———- > http://www.dejanews.com/       Search, Read, Discuss, or Start Your Own

———–== Posted via Deja News, The Discussion Network ==———- http://www.dejanews.com/       Search, Read, Discuss, or Start Your Own    

Response:

s_rih…@my-dejanews.com wrote: >I’d like to hear from everyone who has had their rectal stump removed. >I want to know about the horror stories as well as the surgeries that >went off without any complications.

I had an ileostomy and total colectomy over 21 years ago.  They removed the rectal stump at the same time.  No problems at all, though back then they had me flat on  my back for 3 weeks while I healed.  Now they want you up and about within days. I don’t know if that makes a difference. Paul

Response:

s_rih…@my-dejanews.com wrote in message

<74eq0a$v6…@nnrp1.dejanews.com>… >I’d like to hear from everyone who has had their rectal stump removed. >I want to know about the horror stories as well as the surgeries that >went off without any complications.

I had an ileostomy with a total colectomy done 18 months ago. No problems….. except when they took the stitches out which was *AGONY*

Response:

I received a private e-mail from Rowena about the post I made about her surgery and she was not sure what I meant by it and asked if I chose to respond that I do it in the news group as she is changing her e-mail address.  The  first two sentences were made in amazement as to what she had to endure for her rectal stump removal.  SR asked for nightmare details and for her it was a nightmare.  It seemed to me that it shouldn’t have had to be that bad, as mine was not.  I blamed the doctor  and the hospital for what she had to endure.  And the third sentence was out of an apparent misconception on my part about their national health plan.  She stated that she would have had the same doctor and hospital if she had private insurance as well.  She also stated that what happened to her was a result of her medical condition and the extent of the disease and not the care that she received.  I wish to appologized to those who are from the UK for my ignorance and assumption in this matter.  I was not being sarcastic but apparently judgemental in regards to what we in the USA call socialized medicine.  Thank you Rowena for bringing this to my attention.   DAWN ********************************* b4dawn2 <b4da…@maine.rr.com> wrote in message

news:xHwb2.306$Oe7.610@newsr2.maine.rr.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Well, you gave the nightmare details alright.  Sounds like you went to the >slaughter house instead of the hospital.  After reading this I doubt many >people will be wanting socialized medicine here in the colonies. >DAWN >***************************************************

Response:

Please let us know how it goes with you and the surgery.  I will pray for you.    DAWN ************************************* s_rih…@my-dejanews.com wrote in message

<74nd5g$av…@nnrp1.dejanews.com>… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Group, >I greatly appreciate your honesty. I’ve put up with the odor and constant >moisture for over two years and am looking forward to putting an end to it. >Like many of you addressed, I won’t have the suffering from the suture >removal and other pains. My greatest concern is of the wound healing. One >surgeon put my mind at rest when he told me that an open wound will not have >the same smell as a rectal stump even if it became infected–two different >types of tissue. >Nor am I fearful of the surgery itself. It’ll be a small price to pay to be >rid of such a pain in the butt! I’m actually looking forward to the surgery. >I’ve grown tired of my mom chasing me around the house with a can of air >freshener. >Thanks, >SR >———–== Posted via Deja News, The Discussion Network ==———- >http://www.dejanews.com/       Search, Read, Discuss, or Start Your Own

Response:

Group, I greatly appreciate your honesty. I’ve put up with the odor and constant moisture for over two years and am looking forward to putting an end to it. Like many of you addressed, I won’t have the suffering from the suture removal and other pains. My greatest concern is of the wound healing. One surgeon put my mind at rest when he told me that an open wound will not have the same smell as a rectal stump even if it became infected–two different types of tissue. Nor am I fearful of the surgery itself. It’ll be a small price to pay to be rid of such a pain in the butt! I’m actually looking forward to the surgery. I’ve grown tired of my mom chasing me around the house with a can of air freshener. Thanks, SR ———–== Posted via Deja News, The Discussion Network ==———- http://www.dejanews.com/       Search, Read, Discuss, or Start Your Own    

Response:

When I had my surgery the doc closed the wound and placed a couple of drain tubes in the area. However, the wound became infected, but it had a long time to fester before any real signs of a problem showed up — there was a large space where a colon used to be that just collected the junk. It got so bad I could barely walk. A surgeon friend of mine told me that is why he never sews up the wound, but lets it heal from the inside out. It takes longer in one sense — someone has to be around to pack the wound a couple of times a day — but once it is healed, there is no worry! If I had it to do over again, I would beg the doc to pack the wound but not close it!  Good luck with your surgery. I think you’ll be happier after it! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -s_rih…@my-dejanews.com wrote: > Group, > I greatly appreciate your honesty. I’ve put up with the odor and constant > moisture for over two years and am looking forward to putting an end to it. > Like many of you addressed, I won’t have the suffering from the suture > removal and other pains. My greatest concern is of the wound healing. One > surgeon put my mind at rest when he told me that an open wound will not have > the same smell as a rectal stump even if it became infected–two different > types of tissue. > Nor am I fearful of the surgery itself. It’ll be a small price to pay to be > rid of such a pain in the butt! I’m actually looking forward to the surgery. > I’ve grown tired of my mom chasing me around the house with a can of air > freshener. > Thanks, > SR > ———–== Posted via Deja News, The Discussion Network ==———- > http://www.dejanews.com/       Search, Read, Discuss, or Start Your Own

Response:

Dear SR, I had my rectum removed this March after all hope of healing it was finally abandoned. It was hoped that my small intestine could be joined to my healed rectum and my ileostomy removed, but the disease from the colitis was too fierce. I was told that the operation would be a smaller one than the initial colectomy – WRONG. It is just as major and the incision was just as long up my belly. It is more fiddly than removing a colon because it is all back-to-back down there with your bladder & wee-wee tubes and front bottom (if you are a girl) and there are a lot of nerve endings down there – which you may or may not feel in your case. My rectum was so inflamed with the colitis that it had developed to the stage before cancer (!) and some of my vaginal wall had to be removed with it (puke, puke). I was in theatre a long time because of my personal complications and I had an epidural fitted into my spine to deaden the nerve endings, which left one of my legs numb and uncontrollable for about three days afterwards. The only pain I felt was in the actual surface wound on my tummy, which was hell on earth and I was given I.V morphine at regular intervals. I must say this only seemed to act like an aspirin, but perhaps I’m just a big wuss. All of this will no doubt be different in your particular circumstances, being a paraplegic – I don’t know. I’d ask for every kind of pain relief going, just in case ! They also make an incision where your anal sphincter is to remove that big muscle there and this will be stitched. Having those stitches taken out was another delight, requiring lots of deep breaths and much chomping on a pillow (not to mention the swearing). I really hope you don’t feel anything down there. As a big cavity is left, I personally had to have this packed with a product called aquacel (synthetic seaweed I think) to regenerate skin cell growth so that your skin inside heals together like a zip doing up, leaving no cavity which could become infected. Here in the UK we have District Nurses who visit you at home to do this. Sometimes it is sore but as time goes by things get better and the amount of exudate produced (or yellowy slime) will get less and less. This is only a natural side of the healing process and should not smell. If it does and goes a greeny colour, then you have an infection which needs to be seen to straight away. Because your bum crack is naturally dark, sweaty (yes even girlies have sweaty bums!) and in a generally awkward place, it will take longer to heal than say a deep wound on your arm, which had access to the air. The exudate produced will also make your bum sore because you are sitting in wet (like a baby in a nappy/diaper) so you will need to keep changing any dressings and use nappy-rash creams to soothe your skin. I really can’t say how long it will take to heal fully as I have just been diagnosed with lupus (enough already) which has hindered the healing process, so I am nine months on from surgery and still have time to go. I still wear dressings and have constantly worn sanitary towels to soak up the exudate and provide a bit of padding for my bum. I don’t know if you are a bloke/guy but if using sanitary towels helps you, then go for it. When you’ve got a sore, wet arse, anything is welcome and stuff what anyone else thinks. Hope this is OK. Good luck in whatever you decide to do. P.S. Pure Vitamin E oil is available in a small roller ball bottle, similar to lip-gloss, and is very good when applied to scars of any kind. It helps to heal them more quickly. In article <74eq0a$v6…@nnrp1.dejanews.com>, s_rih…@my-dejanews.com writes – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->I’d like to hear from everyone who has had their rectal stump removed. >I want to know about the horror stories as well as the surgeries that >went off without any complications. >I’ve met with a general surgeon who has agreed to remove my >rectal stump after the first of the year. I’ve had my ileostomy for >over 2 years. I’m a paraplegic and have constant drainage from my >butt plus I always stink. >In preparation for the surgery and want to hear about the >nightmares that other people have experienced. >SR >———–== Posted via Deja News, The Discussion Network ==———- >http://www.dejanews.com/       Search, Read, Discuss, or Start Your Own    

– Rowena Gregson Remove NOSPAM from E.Mail Address to reply

Response:

I had my initial surgery creating an illeostomy (due to ulcerative colitis) on Valentines Day 1997 and I just had my rectal stump removed in a completion proctectomy on November 25, 1998. I am already able to sit in a chair fairly normally. The procedure went off without a hitch and I am very glad I made the decision that I did to not attempt a J-Pouch. What else would you like to know? s_rih…@my-dejanews.com wrote in message

<74eq0a$v6…@nnrp1.dejanews.com>… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->I’d like to hear from everyone who has had their rectal stump removed. >I want to know about the horror stories as well as the surgeries that >went off without any complications. >I’ve met with a general surgeon who has agreed to remove my >rectal stump after the first of the year. I’ve had my ileostomy for >over 2 years. I’m a paraplegic and have constant drainage from my >butt plus I always stink. >In preparation for the surgery and want to hear about the >nightmares that other people have experienced. >SR >———–== Posted via Deja News, The Discussion Network ==———- >http://www.dejanews.com/       Search, Read, Discuss, or Start Your Own

Response:

Hi–When I had my Ileo w/rectal removal in 1996, the surgeon very sternly told me not to use a round "pillow" with a hole in the center, as it supports you on the cheeks, and it pulls hard on the unsupported rectal stitches and healing tissues, trying to pull them apart. He was very stern on this. I noticed even a toilet seat caused alot of pulling in the center, and was very uncomfortable until I healed awhile. Just thought I would pass it on—-                     Best Regards            :-) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -John E. McDermott wrote: > I had my initial surgery creating an illeostomy (due to ulcerative colitis) > on Valentines Day 1997 and I just had my rectal stump removed in a > completion proctectomy on November 25, 1998. I am already able to sit in a > chair fairly normally. The procedure went off without a hitch and I am very > glad I made the decision that I did to not attempt a J-Pouch. > What else would you like to know? > s_rih…@my-dejanews.com wrote in message > <74eq0a$v6…@nnrp1.dejanews.com>… > >I’d like to hear from everyone who has had their rectal stump removed. > >I want to know about the horror stories as well as the surgeries that > >went off without any complications. > >I’ve met with a general surgeon who has agreed to remove my > >rectal stump after the first of the year. I’ve had my ileostomy for > >over 2 years. I’m a paraplegic and have constant drainage from my > >butt plus I always stink. > >In preparation for the surgery and want to hear about the > >nightmares that other people have experienced. > >SR > >———–== Posted via Deja News, The Discussion Network ==———- > >http://www.dejanews.com/       Search, Read, Discuss, or Start Your Own

Response:

Well, you gave the nightmare details alright.  Sounds like you went to the slaughter house instead of the hospital.  After reading this I doubt many people will be wanting socialized medicine here in the colonies. DAWN **************************************************** – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Rowena Gregson wrote in message … >Dear SR, I had my rectum removed this March after all hope of healing it >was finally abandoned. It was hoped that my small intestine could be >joined to my healed rectum and my ileostomy removed, but the disease >from the colitis was too fierce. I was told that the operation would be >a smaller one than the initial colectomy – WRONG. It is just as major >and the incision was just as long up my belly. It is more fiddly than >removing a colon because it is all back-to-back down there with your >bladder & wee-wee tubes and front bottom (if you are a girl) and there >are a lot of nerve endings down there – which you may or may not feel in >your case. My rectum was so inflamed with the colitis that it had >developed to the stage before cancer (!) and some of my vaginal wall had >to be removed with it (puke, puke). I was in theatre a long time because >of my personal complications and I had an epidural fitted into my spine >to deaden the nerve endings, which left one of my legs numb and >uncontrollable for about three days afterwards. The only pain I felt was >in the actual surface wound on my tummy, which was hell on earth and I >was given I.V morphine at regular intervals. I must say this only seemed >to act like an aspirin, but perhaps I’m just a big wuss. All of this >will no doubt be different in your particular circumstances, being a >paraplegic – I don’t know. I’d ask for every kind of pain relief going, >just in case ! They also make an incision where your anal sphincter is >to remove that big muscle there and this will be stitched. Having those >stitches taken out was another delight, requiring lots of deep breaths >and much chomping on a pillow (not to mention the swearing). I really >hope you don’t feel anything down there. As a big cavity is left, I >personally had to have this packed with a product called aquacel >(synthetic seaweed I think) to regenerate skin cell growth so that your >skin inside heals together like a zip doing up, leaving no cavity which >could become infected. Here in the UK we have District Nurses who visit >you at home to do this. Sometimes it is sore but as time goes by things >get better and the amount of exudate produced (or yellowy slime) will >get less and less. This is only a natural side of the healing process >and should not smell. If it does and goes a greeny colour, then you have >an infection which needs to be seen to straight away. Because your bum >crack is naturally dark, sweaty (yes even girlies have sweaty bums!) and >in a generally awkward place, it will take longer to heal than say a >deep wound on your arm, which had access to the air. The exudate >produced will also make your bum sore because you are sitting in wet >(like a baby in a nappy/diaper) so you will need to keep changing any >dressings and use nappy-rash creams to soothe your skin. I really can’t >say how long it will take to heal fully as I have just been diagnosed >with lupus (enough already) which has hindered the healing process, so I >am nine months on from surgery and still have time to go. I still wear >dressings and have constantly worn sanitary towels to soak up the >exudate and provide a bit of padding for my bum. I don’t know if you are >a bloke/guy but if using sanitary towels helps you, then go for it. >When you’ve got a sore, wet arse, anything is welcome and stuff what >anyone else thinks. Hope this is OK. Good luck in whatever you decide to >do. >P.S. Pure Vitamin E oil is available in a small roller ball bottle, >similar to lip-gloss, and is very good when applied to scars of any >kind. It helps to heal them more quickly. >In article <74eq0a$v6…@nnrp1.dejanews.com>, s_rih…@my-dejanews.com >writes >>I’d like to hear from everyone who has had their rectal stump removed. >>I want to know about the horror stories as well as the surgeries that >>went off without any complications. >>I’ve met with a general surgeon who has agreed to remove my >>rectal stump after the first of the year. I’ve had my ileostomy for >>over 2 years. I’m a paraplegic and have constant drainage from my >>butt plus I always stink. >>In preparation for the surgery and want to hear about the >>nightmares that other people have experienced. >>SR >>———–== Posted via Deja News, The Discussion Network ==———- >>http://www.dejanews.com/       Search, Read, Discuss, or Start Your Own >– >Rowena Gregson >Remove NOSPAM from E.Mail Address to reply

Response:

I had my rectal stump left in initially in the hope that I could have j pouch surgery but had to have it removed a year later cos it was just too diseased to be of any use.  The op went without a problem altho I did have to sit down with one of those rubber ring thingies for a few weeks afterwards!  I had mine sewn up and the worst part was, as mentioned, actually having the stitches out (I didn’t realise my buttocks could be stretched that far apart!!!!!)  For the first few years I did get "phantom pains" there as though I still needed to go to the loo badly but they have all but ceased now 20 years later (ie only get them about once a year). Shaz http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/Spa/8089/ – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -s_rih…@my-dejanews.com wrote: > I’d like to hear from everyone who has had their rectal stump removed. > I want to know about the horror stories as well as the surgeries that > went off without any complications. > I’ve met with a general surgeon who has agreed to remove my > rectal stump after the first of the year. I’ve had my ileostomy for > over 2 years. I’m a paraplegic and have constant drainage from my > butt plus I always stink. > In preparation for the surgery and want to hear about the > nightmares that other people have experienced. > SR > ———–== Posted via Deja News, The Discussion Network > ==———- > http://www.dejanews.com/       Search, Read, Discuss, or Start Your > Own

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Response:

Cherri (Interesting name – same as my oldest daughters and she hasn’t found many with the same name/spelling), yes the reason for my stump removal was to stop the development of secondary cancers. Bryan "Cherri" <twmath…@gotvc.net> wrote in message

news:f6e48cbe.0204201625.3948f9a2@posting.google.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I have a colostomy and had a study done of the rectal stump to see if > reconnection might be possible. The study showed I had a > fistual-rect-vaginal and that the stump was shriveled and twisted. No > one has ever mentioned removal of the rectal stump. What are reasons > to do it- it sounds like the healing process is very uncomfortable. > The only good reason I can think of might be that it might contain > Cancer????Just wondering. > I am going to have surgery to repair my peristomal hernia- am hoping > that they do not have to move the stoma-the surgeon said that > sometimes the hernia surrounds the stoma and there is no way to > separate them, so he would move the stoma- probably the other side. > Whatever happens I will be so glad to get this Cantalope size lump > back where it belongs- I am miserable, Cherri

Response:

I have a colostomy and had a study done of the rectal stump to see if reconnection might be possible. The study showed I had a fistual-rect-vaginal and that the stump was shriveled and twisted. No one has ever mentioned removal of the rectal stump. What are reasons to do it- it sounds like the healing process is very uncomfortable. The only good reason I can think of might be that it might contain Cancer????Just wondering. I am going to have surgery to repair my peristomal hernia- am hoping that they do not have to move the stoma-the surgeon said that sometimes the hernia surrounds the stoma and there is no way to separate them, so he would move the stoma- probably the other side. Whatever happens I will be so glad to get this Cantalope size lump back where it belongs- I am miserable, Cherri

Response:

Hi My name is Declan and I had an ileostomy in 1998. Last week I had an operation to remove the rectal stump. I am very sore at the moment but what I am really worried about is the amount of skin hanging out from my back passage. Will this all tighten up through time and if so how long will it take? I would be very grateful if anyone who has been through the same could help me with this.

Response:

Declan, I remember taking a mirror out and having a look about 8 days after my rectal stump removal. My surgeon closed the hole with stitches (some doctors leave the wound open to heal) and used drain tubes, one for each butt cheek (I called them my twins, Jim Bob and Bob Bob <w>). When I saw the jagged, lumpy incision, I just cried! I’m female and I seriously thought I’d never make love again! No way would I ever let my husband see that incision! Fortunately all healed very well without any ‘peaks or valleys’. Wait until all is healed before you worry. Things have a way of working out for the better. Good Luck, Susan VA Declan <dec…@dmccallion.fsnet.co.uk> wrote in message

news:a9ncfa$r8s$1@news8.svr.pol.co.uk… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi > My name is Declan and I had an ileostomy in 1998. Last week I had an > operation to remove the rectal stump. I am very sore at the moment but what > I am really worried about is the amount of skin hanging out from my back > passage. Will this all tighten up through time and if so how long will it > take? I would be very grateful if anyone who has been through the same could > help me with this.

Response:

While on the subject, I expect to have same op next year. How long did it take to recover and be well enough to return to work ( or sit dowm!).  Does it feel different now? "Noel" <noe…@hotmail.com> wrote in message

news:a9o5l0$i82$1@bob.news.rcn.net… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Declan, > I remember taking a mirror out and having a look about 8 days after my > rectal stump removal. My surgeon closed the hole with stitches (some doctors > leave the wound open to heal) and used drain tubes, one for each butt cheek > (I called them my twins, Jim Bob and Bob Bob <w>). When I saw the jagged, > lumpy incision, I just cried! I’m female and I seriously thought I’d never > make love again! No way would I ever let my husband see that incision! > Fortunately all healed very well without any ‘peaks or valleys’. Wait until > all is healed before you worry. Things have a way of working out for the > better. > Good Luck, > Susan > VA > Declan <dec…@dmccallion.fsnet.co.uk> wrote in message > news:a9ncfa$r8s$1@news8.svr.pol.co.uk… > > Hi > > My name is Declan and I had an ileostomy in 1998. Last week I had an > > operation to remove the rectal stump. I am very sore at the moment but > what > > I am really worried about is the amount of skin hanging out from my back > > passage. Will this all tighten up through time and if so how long will it > > take? I would be very grateful if anyone who has been through the same > could > > help me with this.

Response:

Declan, the worst bit I found when returning home was the amount the wound would leak. Yes there was discomfort for some time (about a month or so) but the discharge went on for 4 months or so until the wound finally healed. Now days as someone else has written you do recall it’s there when sitting awkwardly but it’s not a problem. I had my op at Southend and found the staff fantastic. I would recommend (as I ‘m sure you are already) using something to sit on for the first 2 or 3 weeks, I used a childs swimming ring, the ones with the holes in the middle. I’m 1 year on now to the week and I have no problems and the wound just looks ‘normal’ and healed. It’s been like this since about 12/01 after my op in 4/01. Bryan "David Judd" <david.ju…@ntlworld.com> wrote in message

news:JiSv8.1432$ML.274310@news2-win.server.ntlworld.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> While on the subject, I expect to have same op next year. How long did it > take to recover and be well enough to return to work ( or sit dowm!). Does > it feel different now? > "Noel" <noe…@hotmail.com> wrote in message > news:a9o5l0$i82$1@bob.news.rcn.net… > > Declan, > > I remember taking a mirror out and having a look about 8 days after my > > rectal stump removal. My surgeon closed the hole with stitches (some > doctors > > leave the wound open to heal) and used drain tubes, one for each butt > cheek > > (I called them my twins, Jim Bob and Bob Bob <w>). When I saw the jagged, > > lumpy incision, I just cried! I’m female and I seriously thought I’d never > > make love again! No way would I ever let my husband see that incision! > > Fortunately all healed very well without any ‘peaks or valleys’. Wait > until > > all is healed before you worry. Things have a way of working out for the > > better. > > Good Luck, > > Susan > > VA > > Declan <dec…@dmccallion.fsnet.co.uk> wrote in message > > news:a9ncfa$r8s$1@news8.svr.pol.co.uk… > > > Hi > > > My name is Declan and I had an ileostomy in 1998. Last week I had an > > > operation to remove the rectal stump. I am very sore at the moment but > > what > > > I am really worried about is the amount of skin hanging out from my back > > > passage. Will this all tighten up through time and if so how long will > it > > > take? I would be very grateful if anyone who has been through the same > > could > > > help me with this.

Response:

I cannot give any advice about the skin issue, but regarding the soreness, I highly recommend you go to a hospital supply store or catalogue and purchase a Waffle Cushion.  It will be worth every penny when it comes to sittting.

Response:

David, In June 1997 I had an APR and left the hospital with a colostomy and lots of stitches and some staples.  I was more sore from the removal of my anus than from the much longer incision through my abdomen or in the vicinity of my stoma.  The anus removal was very successful but was left open to drain and heal from the inside out.  Sitting for lengthy periods was difficult to say the least.  A blowup donut was recommended for me to sit on to avoid putting pressure directly on the healing wound.  I found that by using my hands to squeeze my cheeks together as I sat down was the most comfortable way of positioning myself on that donut.  The donut was my constant companion for nearly a year. During that year I did not return to work because even with the donut I could not sit for extended periods and that is the kind of job I have, sitting at a desk for hours on end (computer systems analyst/test engineer).  It took many trips to the surgeon to have silver nitrate applied, definitely not pleasant, and taking 2 to 3 showers each day to keep the area super clean and then allow it to be exposed to the air to dry.  When wearing clothes, a feminine pad, again not pleasant, became an item of necessity to keep from staining not only my clothes but anything I sat on.  The pain from the anus wound gradually became less as healing occurred and I did return to work 1/2 days at exactly 1 year from when I left to go to the hospital for surgery.  That was for 2 weeks and then I started extending the hours I spent at the office, taking frequent get up and walk breaks, and then finally after another month was able to do the full day with getting up only a few times each day.  Still today, if I sit wrong and my cheeks separate too much I am reminded that I have been reconstructed on my bottom side and must quickly rearrange myself.  But I now do everything that I did before my surgery and with a much greater confidence.  I just wish I would have had the procedure years earlier. One other thing, before my surgery, the surgeon discussed the possibility of sexual dysfunction after cutting in that vicinity.  He inquired if we had all the kids we planned on because sometimes vessels are cut that will then prohibit the transport of seminal fluids.  Also, that infrequently, nerve damage may occur that can cause a complete lack of sexual function.  He mentioned that they are always as careful as they can be but these are topics that must be discussed prior to surgery.  I’m thankful that he discussed these items for although I had no nerve damage and arousal is not a problem, I no longer ejaculate so kids would not be possible.  Again, not a problem since we have all the kids we need or want. Hope this helps.  If you have any specific questions, I’d be happy to share anything else. Jim – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -David Judd wrote: > While on the subject, I expect to have same op next year. How long did it > take to recover and be well enough to return to work ( or sit dowm!).  Does > it feel different now? > <snip>

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