Ileorectal anastomosis

Hi Journo

Glad to hear your surgery is over . To be honest it’s not a name a read often ! Is it the same as an ileostomy? I think most certainly others will have experience to share but might not be just as familiar with the name !! Could be wrong though ! 
If it’s the same I will try and tag a few people in for you !

Take care ,

Court 

Hi Journo. Is it a bit like/same as a sub-total colectomy where they’ve removed all your colon and connected your small bowel/ileum to your rectum? If so you could type that in the search box and there’s a few posts albeit quite old. 
I was told by the nurses that recovery from my LAR would be 5 weeks and then I should start to be feeling a bit more up to things like short walks, light shopping etc. 
Is there anything in particular that you’re struggling with? I’ve attached a link to a booklet about regaining bowel control as I can imagine that has changed after losing your colon or do you have a stoma now?

https://bowelcancerorguk.s3.amazonaws.com/Publications/RegainingBowelControl_BowelCancerUK.pdf

Please feel free to post again if there’s anything in particular that you’re struggling with - there is nothing too embarrassing on here! - and we’ll be happy to help you

Take care

Karen x

Hi Karen, thank you for responding to my post. Yes I think you’re right - my notes called the procedure an ileorectal anastomosis but it’s exactly as you describe and I shall call it a subtotal colectomy from now on.
I don’t have a stoma and bowel control is a bit of an issue, but Imodium and Tena pants are my new friends and I think I’m getting the hang of it. Going back on a normal diet (ie not low-residue) today so will see how that goes. 
My colorectal nurse is leaving today and no replacement yet so I appreciate having someone to ask. 
Cheers,

Sue

Hi Journo. Yes the bowel can be a bit of a juggling act to start with. It’s worth keeping a food and ‘toilet visits’ diary although I never used to manage to get past a week! Do you have a Toilet Card and Disable Toilet key? I’ve never used the card but the key is good as the toilets are bigger if you needed to make any running ‘repairs’.

Hope the non low residue diet goes ok and if something doesn’t agree then try it again in a couple of months - it’s very much trial and error

Karen x

Hi Karen,

The key is a great idea- will look into that. 

Just for info, the surgery removed my whole colon but left the rectum. 

Yes, I started a food and loo log too but like you, I think I only lasted a week. The whole thing is so dull. 

Cheers

Sue

I am having the same surgery, can you tell me how you are doing and do you regret? How is you mental health? 

Hi Teyinf, It’s been 14 weeks since my surgery and I’m feeling ok mentally, but the physical adjustments have been a challenge, mainly the almost constant diarrhoea. Some days are fine, others a bit tricky.  I have, since yesterday, and on the colo-rectal nurse’s advice, started taking two Imodium half an hour before eating my three main meals and it seems to be helping although  I still wouldn’t leave the house without making sure I’m prepared for an accident. 
Obviously I wish things were different but I don’t think regret comes into it because the surgery was necessary so there was really no choice. I’m told that the body does adjust after a year or so, so am staying positive.  Hope things go well for you. 

Thank you soo much for your reply, i needed some positivity from someone, may I ask you how many movement you have a day? Is it type of food dependent? Can you still work? Is it possible to do any physical activities because I like to work out, is it hard potting on weight?, how is your social life? I am sorry for all these question because I have to know, to prepare myself on what to expect, again thank you soo much

You’re very welcome, I completely understand that you need to talk to someone who’s been there- I’m still there. A couple of people on the forum were v helpful to me. We all need to help each other.  

At first I was on a low-residue diet - cornflakes, white pasta and rice, potatoes with no skin on, white bread, white fish, chicken, Rich Tea biscuits etc. All v boring. 
And I was still going to the loo - completely liquid- up to 20 x a day. It didn’t seem to matter what I ate so after a couple of months the nurse said I may as well eat what I liked. 

Re exercise, I walk a lot and resumed gentle Pilates after 8  weeks. I’m thinking of going back to tennis soon but will start slow. At first, after such major surgery, I didn’t lift anything or even open a stiff drawer. I think you have to be v careful and get advice  before doing anything strenuous.  Yes, putting on weight is difficult but I think that’s to be expected. All the best

Thanks for your advice, is it possible to have job after this surgery and how often do you use the rest room now?