Anterior Resection without ostomy?

[jaycey60]

Hi All,

I've searched through the old posts to try to find out more about (a) the timeline, and (b) quality of life (AKA bowel movement issues) with an anterior resection without temporary ostomy, but I can't seem to find that - most people seem to have had a temp ostomy of some kind. O Stoma Mia gave a stellar timeline in a 2014 post about how many weeks between chemo & surgery and recovery - but it includes the temp ostomy.

L has 8 cm from the tumor to the sphincter (the tumor is at the rectal fold) and the surgeon just told us he doesn't think a temporary ostomy will be necessary - he intends to just sew the rectum back together (made easier by the fact that L had chemo beforehand, but they are choosing to hold off on radiation, and will use it only if the pathology reports show poor margins after surgery, so her tissue isn't radiation-burned).

Can anybody point me to some posts that talk about experience post-surgery when they just put the rectum back immediately? Particularly time to recovery (various points in recovery), and bowel issues? Is the Anterior Resection Syndrome that I see so many people writing about a concern in a case like this?

Thanks for your wisdom - and apologies if I missed a post that was relevant.

[lori314]

I'm not sure what you are asking about. I had surgery first, ULAR with no colostomy. Then radiation and chemo. Do I fit the criteria you are asking about?

[tif2112]

I had rectal cancer, and the part removed was very close to the end. The Dr. was able to leave enough that I did not have to have a bag (even temp). I do have days where it seems like I never stop running to the bathroom and there are still days where I have an accident cuz I don't make it fast enough. Before I started having the rectal cancer symptoms I was able to hold off going poop until I was home (hated going out in public), that is way in the past, now if I feel the urge I better head to the bathroom ASAP. It does get frustrating but I happy without the bag.

[jaycey60]

Hi Lori,

Yes, you fit the criteria: resection without temporary ostomy. So how long between surgery and radiation / chemo? And what was it like to try to use a newly sewn rectum after surgery - were you initially constipated? Lots of diarrhea? how long before things were normal (if ever)? What was your quality of life like - what bowel issues did you have during recovery? And how long did it take?

Thank you tif2112 as well. So, how long has it been since your surgery? Do you still need to run to the bathroom?

thanks so much both of you for responding. The docs don't seem forthcoming about this kind of information!

[BrownBagger]

Aren't we talking about an ileostomy? That's what I had. Seems to me than any healing from the rectum on up is best aided by an ileostomy.

But I could be wrong.

[jaycey60]

I'm glad you posted, BrownBagger. What the surgeon told L is that she won't have any kind of ostomy - not even temporary - that he'll remove the tumor from her rectum, and then just sew the rectum back together and she'll have to use it right away. That seems uncommon on this forum - and I'd love to hear people's experience.

[tif2112]

My surgery was July 18th, 2012. Yes there are times I have to run to the bathroom and there are times I do not make it. For the most part seems to happen about once a week. I use to be able to hold off going poop until I was somewhere I felt comfortable but now...if I feel the urge (which is usually several times a day, unless it is a day of constipation) I have to head to the restroom, there is no holding it anymore.

[jaycey60]

Dear tif2112,

Thank you for sharing your experience. I hadn't realized that it's harder to hold it in. Is that because the sphincter can get damaged during the operation, or is there another reason?

Jaycey