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Is surgery always a choice

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 1/12/2022 7:25 AM (GMT -5)
Just wondering if there is a point where someone HAS to get surgery?

Or is it a choice we make when fed up with years of this illness?

Has anybody here been forced by circumstances?

Thanks
Posted 1/12/2022 8:50 AM (GMT -5)
yes - on rare occasions, surgery becomes mandatory - most are the result of exhausting all other available options -


TT
Posted 1/12/2022 9:13 AM (GMT -5)
Sometimes it is a medical emergency, as in the case of toxic megacolon. Here the colon swells up and is at risk of rupturing, which in turn can lead to sepsis if the bowel contents leak into the rest of the body. So the colon has to be removed before it ruptures.

Cases of elective surgery may become emergencies if left too long.
Posted 1/12/2022 9:22 AM (GMT -5)

Yissurim said...
Just wondering if there is a point where someone HAS to get surgery?

Or is it a choice we make when fed up with years of this illness?

Has anybody here been forced by circumstances?

Thanks


PS I would consider dealing with an unrelenting flare as being forced by circumstances. Severe UC symptoms are completely debilitating.

If your body can't absorb food because of the flare then you are not only starving but losing resistance to infections. That puts you in a dangerous position.

That's not even taking into account being in too much pain to move, not being able to sleep, anaemia from blood loss and being house bound due to rectal incontinence.

Post Edited (poopydoop) : 1/12/2022 7:28:50 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 1/12/2022 12:18 PM (GMT -5)
It is one of David Rubins best quotes on IBD that those patients who are sick and who openly want surgery are never really ready for it and those who are sick but do not want surgery it is often right for them!!
Posted 1/12/2022 12:19 PM (GMT -5)
I know few that were in hospital and bleeding could not be stopped so surgery was only option left. Mine was different story. Years of UC,numerous flares,scaring had taken its toll. Gastro and surgeon agreed on surgery.
Posted 1/12/2022 1:21 PM (GMT -5)
You can refuse surgery, that is always your choice. If you do not leave instructions and something happened then they may do surgery on you to save your life.

I was begging for surgery at the end. I wanted it so badly because I couldn't handle it anymore. I had no QoL and I was suffering.
Posted 1/13/2022 4:33 PM (GMT -5)
Thanks everyone for your answers.
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