Always a colostomy bag with a bowel resection!?!

I'm scheduled for a laparascopy surgery in mid-January for purposes of *hopefully* removing my cervix (only organ left after TAH, it was left due to being "cemented" to the colon w/endo), removing any remaining endo and expected adhesions. They've made it clear that there's a possibility of a colon re-section. My question to you ladies is - does a "re-section" mean a colostomy bag? Is there another way to do a re-section w/out a bag? And, is the bag always permanent or has anyone had a temporary bag? The nurse told me, as far as length of stay, that absent the need for a re-section, I'd probably go home the same day - but if a resection was done, there would be overnight time involved. So much to worry about!! ~Katie

You might this article helpful: http://www.healthatoz.com/healthatoz..._resection.jsp

An ostomy can be permanent or temporary and your doctor should thoroughly discuss the options with you if a bowel resection is a possibility. If you have any questions or concerns, be sure to talk them over with your surgeon prior to surgery so you will be prepared!

Best wishes for your upcoming surgery! Take care! S

My bowel was adhered to my cervix along with being stuck to right ovary and tube with endo and a cyst. Bowel resection was talked about at one point and the need for a colostomy bag is always a possibilty. I didn't end up having the bowel touched due to the level of scarring at the time of surgery they were able to detached it from everything without damaging the bowel, which my doc said was not possible a year and a half prior during a previous surgery as the area was too inflamed at that time. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Katgurl...you give me great hope!! The initial surgeon was unable to remove it w/o damage and I've been confused as to why this new doctor (although he is a specialist in pelvic lap surgeries) seems so confident. Hearing that it worked for you gives me hope...thank you!

I had surgery on Oct. 30. All of the possibilities were gone over with me prior to surgery. Everything went well. No bag temporary or otherwise was necessary in my case. I am recovering well. I do have to add the surgeon that did the surgery was a colo-rectal specialist. He does a lot of these surgeries on endo patients. He offered that he had never had an endo patient that required a bag and that the chances in my case were less than 1%. You might press the surgeon for some statistics. Even though he sounds confident, you definitely want to find the right surgeon for this procedure. Best of Luck To You!

I hope your procedure goes well

Sometimes a 'colectomy' can be done where the bowel is reconnected and no bag is needed. It is probably quite unlikely you'de need either, but your surgeon really needs to go over everything in detail. Is this a GYN doing the surgery, or a gastro-surg?

I asked the doctor about the possibility of a bag and his response was that it was unlikely, he's done this procedure countless times and usually without a bag; however, if it was necessary he was completely confident it would be temporary. The doctor is a gyn who specializes in pelvic pain, specifically non-invasive surgical procedures. I don't get to meet with him again until the surgery. I have my pre-op appt, in a different office on campus, where I'm pretty sure all that will be done is blood being drawn and such. Thanks for all the information and input - don't know what I'd do without my hystersisters! ~Katie