HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

Suggest Treatment For Failed Colonoscopy

default
Posted on Fri, 2 Jan 2015
Question: a recent colonoscopy went "bad" . Not only did I wake up during the procedure I also wound up totally distended and a second colonoscopy was immediately performed to try to decompress me.(6 hrs in total) Then I was told I now need to have a colon resection (approx 60% would have to be removed.) I am still in shock . I have not been given any literature about the opeeration (the surgeon did show and did explain the procedure) but I do not know what to expect afterwards ie quality complications life quality etc. I am femalel, just turned 66. What if any websites can I use to find out more info before making a decision or before getting a second opinion.
Thank you.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (16 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Good comfort of life is expected.

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Thank you for the query.

Large intestine is composed of colon and rectum. Total length of large intestine is about 2 meters. Its main task is to absorb water from the stool.
60% of colon removal wont worsen your comfort of life. Still there will be much of large intestine left. Enough for proper water absorption. However proper absorption wont be present right after the surgery. It needs to take some time for the intestines to adopt to new situation. Usually it takes 2-3 months. During that time your stools can be loose or even diarrhea can be present. But this is only temporary.
After 3 months you wont even notice that the part of colon is missing. No special diet will be needed.

Right after the surgery will may feel some pain. It will be caused by a wound on the abdomen. The pain can be managed with painkillers. After intestine removal, usually we give intravenous nutrition for 5-7 days. During that time patient is asked to do not eat and drink at all.
After intestine removal a drain is usually left in the abdomen. It is removed few days after a surgery.

Possible complications are: wound infection, abdominal cavity infection, abdominal cavity hematoma, intestinal junction leakage.

Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (2 days later)
Thank you for the info -needed some time to digest it (no pun intended)! 1 last question before I follow up with another local surgeon 4 a 2nd opinion. How much wt will I lose if 60 % is taken? I weighed 115# but dropped to 107 (This was a gain after going down to 98# for a few months). I will talk to the Dr but while it is fresh in my mind -at are my chances better if I gain wt or OK at this wt???? So sorry to ask - called the surgeons office but couldn't get thru.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (10 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Some weight gain seems reasonable for proper healing process.

Detailed Answer:
As usually parenteral nutritious (food injected to the veins) is given after intestine removal, you may not loose even a pound. Like I have mentioned before, this surgery has only minimal impact to digestive tract (we can say that human have too much intestines, partial removal can be left unnoticed).
However usually patients due to whole process loose few pounds. But this can be regained after hospital discharge.

For proper healing process and good intestines healing it is important to be well nourished. Good protein and albumin level before the surgery have the major impact to healing process.

I do not know if your weight is sufficient. It depends how high you are. If you are really skinny person (107 is not much), it would be good to gain some weight.

Regards.
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Grzegorz Stanko

General Surgeon

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 5795 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
Suggest Treatment For Failed Colonoscopy

Brief Answer: Good comfort of life is expected. Detailed Answer: Hello! Thank you for the query. Large intestine is composed of colon and rectum. Total length of large intestine is about 2 meters. Its main task is to absorb water from the stool. 60% of colon removal wont worsen your comfort of life. Still there will be much of large intestine left. Enough for proper water absorption. However proper absorption wont be present right after the surgery. It needs to take some time for the intestines to adopt to new situation. Usually it takes 2-3 months. During that time your stools can be loose or even diarrhea can be present. But this is only temporary. After 3 months you wont even notice that the part of colon is missing. No special diet will be needed. Right after the surgery will may feel some pain. It will be caused by a wound on the abdomen. The pain can be managed with painkillers. After intestine removal, usually we give intravenous nutrition for 5-7 days. During that time patient is asked to do not eat and drink at all. After intestine removal a drain is usually left in the abdomen. It is removed few days after a surgery. Possible complications are: wound infection, abdominal cavity infection, abdominal cavity hematoma, intestinal junction leakage. Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions. Regards.