“Can you live a normal life after a colectomy?”
I will have a colectomy. Can you live a normal life after a colectomy?
5 Answers
A colectomy means removal of a portion of the colon (the large intestine). If the 2 ends are hooked up, not an issue. If they cannot be re-connected, then the stool comes out the end of the colon into a "bag". Normal life is still possible after getting used to the care of it. Hope this helps. MJS
Hello, excellent question. It depends on the amount of colon removed, and how you are reconstructed. Removing up to 1/3 of the colon likely won't cause a noticeable change in your life, other than perhaps moving your bowels more frequently. Removing 3/4 or more of your colon will certainly lead to the increasing frequency of bowel movements, and may also result in looser stools, as the colon is unable to absorb water from the waste.
Depending on how much of your colon gets removed, you may have more frequent and looser bowel movements. Beyond that, you should generally be able to live a normal life.
Yes you can. Of course it depends on the details, the reason for resection, and whether you end up with an ostomy or a J pouch, for example.
Normal relative to what. Consult Functional Medicine. Consult Obesity Medicine if BMI greater than 27. Start Counseling as needed.
