I just had my take down surgery on 3/9 and have not left the hospital due to complications. They discovered afterwards that there was a very small leak at the connection site which is causing me extreme nausea. I am frustrated and upset - they are saying if it doesnt heal or get better on its own in a few days, I am going to have to the ostomy remade. Any advice?? Has anyone gone through something similar??
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Tango, funny you should mention this! last Thursday, my son had his ostomy returned because of a micro leak in his j-pouch. I hate to give you bad news but get the ostomy back. Jeffrey had his take down in September 2014, just a few months ago. It was a difficult surgery and he was in constant pain afterward. Now we know why. He too had a tiny, tiny leak. No one saw it, no one can stil see it. He developed a tennis ball abscess and a fistulia. We tried intravenous feeding for two months. It didn't work. So now, he has the ostomy back, complete bowl rest for 6 months. Then I'm not sure what we are going to do after than. But most likely the best thing to do is go back to the ostomy, and let the pouch heal longer.
Of course you are frustrated!!!! Probably a bit frightened as well.
I did not have exactly that problem, but did have my own shares of ups and downs. Hang in there -- and yes, I know exactly how impossible that seems. Perhaps they can repair the leak when/if they go in surgically, but if there is too much fecal loss you run a major risk of sepsis; it is truly better to be safe and go back to the ostomy for a bit and get totally healthy again before trying the pouch.
So sorry,
Gin
Has anyone had success and avoided more surgeries by going on TPN with a drain to get rid of a fistula post take-down?
Tango, funny you should ask. My son just went through this. In Dec they found an abscess near his pelvic bone. They put in the drain. In Jan they found the fistulia. Put him on TPN. Was on TPN on two months. unfortunately it didn't work. The fistulia actually got larger. So, on March 12th they reversed the j-pouch to put him on complete bowel rest. So now, he has his ostomy back for 6-8 months. Hopefully you will have better luck. But I have to tell you, being on TPN is extremely difficult. Not being able to eat anything at all is the hardest thing. At least now with the ostomy he can eat which he couldn't wait to do. Also, the drain is really painful too. Good luck to you.
dianne