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Colonoscopy after complete colectomy?

Posted by grammam @grammam, Mar 21, 2023

I had a total colectomy done in Aug. 2022, due to ovarian cancer. The surgeon did an ileorectal anastomosis.
It's been recommended that I have an colonoscopy done by two doctors, but no one has been able to explain how that could be done since I no longer have a colon? Any thoughts?

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bellsina71 | @bellsina71 | Mar 21, 2023

Are you sure you had all of your colon removed, and it wasn't just a partial? I had a proctocolectomey which is removal of almost all your large intestine and the rectum, and then I had to have an ileostomy bag for 3 months while the new hookup inside of me healed. If you don't have a colon, you can't have a colonoscopy.. It's impossible. I have a procedure every year where they go in and look at the hook up but that's called a sigmoidoscopy, and they make sure that there's no cancer on the tiny bit of large intestine I still have, which is probably an inch! Is it possible this doctor doesn't understand you had a complete colectomy? Did you just ask them straight out how are you supposed to do that when I have no colon? I'd be a little concerned if I were you also especially if they are recommending two doctors to do a colonoscopy on a colon that doesn't exist.
I hope things get figured out!
Angela

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1 reply
grammam | @grammam | Mar 22, 2023
In reply to @bellsina71 "Are you sure you had all of your colon removed, and it wasn't just a partial?..." + (show)
@bellsina71

Are you sure you had all of your colon removed, and it wasn't just a partial? I had a proctocolectomey which is removal of almost all your large intestine and the rectum, and then I had to have an ileostomy bag for 3 months while the new hookup inside of me healed. If you don't have a colon, you can't have a colonoscopy.. It's impossible. I have a procedure every year where they go in and look at the hook up but that's called a sigmoidoscopy, and they make sure that there's no cancer on the tiny bit of large intestine I still have, which is probably an inch! Is it possible this doctor doesn't understand you had a complete colectomy? Did you just ask them straight out how are you supposed to do that when I have no colon? I'd be a little concerned if I were you also especially if they are recommending two doctors to do a colonoscopy on a colon that doesn't exist.
I hope things get figured out!
Angela

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Thank you for your response! I will ask of they meant a sigmoidoscopy. I imagine there must be at least a bit of something left if he was able to do the illeorectal anastomosis. I will be sure to ask!

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1 reply
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Apr 2, 2023
In reply to @grammam "Thank you for your response! I will ask of they meant a sigmoidoscopy. I imagine there..." + (show)
@grammam

Thank you for your response! I will ask of they meant a sigmoidoscopy. I imagine there must be at least a bit of something left if he was able to do the illeorectal anastomosis. I will be sure to ask!

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@grammam, may I ask what you found out? Will you be getting a sigmoidoscopy?

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1 reply
grammam | @grammam | Apr 3, 2023
In reply to @colleenyoung "@grammam, may I ask what you found out? Will you be getting a sigmoidoscopy?" + (show)
@colleenyoung

@grammam, may I ask what you found out? Will you be getting a sigmoidoscopy?

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I haven't had my appointment yet, but will certainly post when I do. Thank you for checking in on me!

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