I am a 46 year old woman who has had 3 bowel surgeries with a prominent
surgeon at a prestigious Chicago hospital. These surgeries followed a
laproscopic surgery for endometriosis at which time,a total hyterectomy and
ovaries were removed. The first bowel surgery was a total colectomy, with
rectum reconstruction. The second followed the develpment of peritonitis and
an abscess, at which time a temporary ileostomy was put into place; and the
third and last, was an ileostomy take down. Currently I have pain in my left
side, which the surgeon identified as adhesions and a protrusion, which he
labelled a loop in the bowel caused by adhesions. Since then a local surgeon
and a GI doctor at the same prominent Chicago hospital have labelled this
lump, a hernia. I had these surgeries for chronic constipatin and colonic
inertia. The colon was found to be longer than usual, but other than that
only endometriosis was found on it at the time of biopsy. I continue to have
bowel difficulities, pain and am running low on trust after what I have been
through these last 13 months. Has anyone had similar experience or would a
doctor have an idea on what my next step should be. I am told that the
hernia is not currently life threatening, and that it will take quite some
time to regulate my bowels without a colon....I am using Miralax and going
easy on the fiber, which doesn't serve a purpose without a colon....and
trying to get some exercise when I can. I do some mild stretching exercises
while lying on the floor, ride a stationary bike and walk or shop when I am
not in the bathroom or in the doctor's office. Any support/suggestions would
be appreciated.
Patient Pam