hello im Becky and i have a perm ileostomy right now for about a couple years... been having alot of rectum problems...(absesses, and rectal bleeding) and so im going to USC to have my rectum removed and all sewn up for good. I was just wondering if anyone has had this done, and how the recovery would be from this (as ive heard its very major). Ive been through enough probably now to know that its not gonna be easy but i am prepared.

Other than that im very much excited more than worried because i am tired of having the pain and problems...

thanks for the support

Hi Becky and welcome to the world of "Barbie/Ken Butts"

I'm not really a very good example to go by because I contracted MRSA while having my j-pouch removed and anus sewn shut so all my wounds broke down and I was quite ill. However, I can't remember my anal wound being any more difficult to heal than my other wounds and if anything I had less trouble with it healing than a lot of people.

Having said all of that I would just like to add that it was the best thing I ever did despite the complications. It's just so good to be rid of all those "butt" problems and not be in pain every time I need the loo.

Good luck with your operation. I'm pretty sure that you will feel so much better once that diseased rectum is gone.

Take care.

Shell

Rebekah,

Good luck with your upcoming surgery. I had my rectum removed in the beginning of may. The recovery was long, but not hard or overly painful. More a nuisance that anything else. I had to really refrain from walking and putting too much friction on the bum wound. Mine has been slow to heal more than I'm sure is average because of my perianal disease. You already have the ostomy so that should make the process that much easier.
My recommendation is to be sure to get a bum pad/wheel chair cushion to sit on and take it everywhere for the first 6-8 weeks...or longer if you need to.

Hi Rebekah,

I just had surgery June 25, had J-pouch removed and butt sewn up. Everyone told me that the butt pain was the most painful part of the surgery. For me, it wasn't painful at all. Of course I couldn't sit for about a week. I had to lay on my back or side. But, it did not hurt. It just pinched me a little if I tried sitting on it or move too quickly. I had no problems with any butt pain.
Hopefully it will go as well for you as it did me. I wish you the best of luck.

Kerianne

wow thanks so much you guys!! great....now im really looking forward to it and let you all know how it goes!! thanks for the support!!

Becky,

I hope your surgery went well and and you are on the road to recovery. I had mine done 7 weeks ago today and although it was a little rocky at first, it got much better each week. Now I feel better than I have in 10 years. Both my suture lines are all healed up - I have gotten the hang of my ostomy (with help from the wonderful likes of Shell and Jill), I have been eating things I have not been able to eat for years. I have so much more energy and have even been walking a few miles everyday for the past few weeks. I understand how hard it is to get to the point of needing the permanent ileostomy, but I love not having anymore "bum" issues - no pain, cramping, burning, bleeding and all the other stuff we IBD'ers have to endure.

I hope you to are getting there - like I said - at least for me - there is a lot of improvement every week. Once you find a bag system that works for you, the right underwear and heal and feel more confident it really is so much better - it has been for me - I hope it is for you too!

Please write us (or PM) if you have any questions or need support!

-Mikaela

Hi Becky,

I had my j-pouch removed, perm ileostomy made and rectum/anus removed on 22nd July. The "butt" wound healed really well, though was very sore until the stitches were removed.
I had an infection in the stoma wound which has cleared up, but I am still taking anti biotics for it, and then had severe nausea last weekend, which meant a few days in hospital on IV fluids

It seems a few bumps in the road to recovery are "normal"

Now I just have to find the right bag system.......

Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Marina

hey guys im back from surgery and everything went very well!!! i was home after just four days in the hospital!! it was very good and everything seems to be healing up very nice for me... im just relaxing at home and hoping for a quick recovery...

thanks to everyone for your support!