Hello all! I hope I'm doing this right. I haven't posted anything in a long time. I've had my j-pouch for nearly 10 years, so I thought I was familiar with what goes on when it comes to the colon, or lack there of. Recently, my mother-in-law has had problems going to the bathroom. Nearly a month would go by before she had a bowel movement (yea, I know, crazy right). She went to the doctor and after tests and many meds (I know we can all relate), he said she has a redundant colan. So in a month she will have a subtotal colectomy. She said he's removing the entire colon. So I guess my question (or questions), is what is the difference between total and subtotal colectomy? If the entire colon is removed, why no ileostomy bag and no j-pouch? Why did I get a j-pouch (not that I'm complaining)? I'm just worried about her having this surgery. No one else is worried. It just sounds like the same thing I had done (total colectomy), except he's just connecting the small intestine to the rectum. I'd really appreciate any help with these questions because this is so scary to me.
Thanks,
