partial gastrectomy

Submitted by fiveyearplus on April 2, 2016 - 9:30pm
Body: 

Hi,
My problems got worse after having a partial gastectomy with a roux e y almost 5 years ago. So I am missing the first part of my small intestine. This was not for weight loss, but to remove a tumor, which was successfully done. I now have more of an obstruction than constipation going on--I think it might be rectocele, or what I've seen called "rectal descent", or even involving my sigmoid colon.

I have had a multitude of recent tests in the past year: from abdominal/pelvic CT to colonoscopy, stomach scope, ultrasound of pelvis, transvaginal, everything checks out fine with no evidence of disease. I have evidence of profound constipation from a "higher up" obstruction, if that makes sense. No one has been that concerned with my feelings in my pelvis but me, from a medical point of view. So my female organs are intact, and have had three vaginal deliveries, but now am in my mid 60's. I have a tipped back uterus, with evidence of pelvic congestion--multiple varicosities, but I think now it is this rectal descent.

I think I'm a healthy gal except for the above which has been if not ruining my life, has been controlling it.
I have Christine's basic book, which I've read. I do think it makes a difference to practice the posture. As an "older singer", I used to practice daily healthy breathing technique, started it up again. All of that has made at least a temporary difference in my bowel problems, crossing my fingers I can keep it up.

Any comments would be appreciated. Thanks.

Forum:

Surviving60

April 3, 2016 - 5:26am

Hi FYP and welcome. There are numerous buzzwords out there and "rectal descent" might be just another term for a rectocele. In any event you may as well treat it as such. Hopefully you have the second edition of Saving the Whole Woman (blue cover) and you might want to add to your collection with the basic FAFP DVD or an on-line course to get you further into the posture work. The WW Solution to POP is on half-price sale through tonight.

You might try getting down on hands and knees before using the toilet, to let the organs fall into their natural alignment. WW posture aims to keep them in this basic configuration even when upright.

I'd love to recommend lots of firebreathing, but I really have no knowledge of what effect (if any) gastric surgery has on this. FB creates a vacuum that helps pull the organs forward. I suppose you can try it gently (on an empty stomach) and see how it feels. We aren't medical folks here, so you might consider a consult with Christine. Meanwhile, just work on keeping those organs forward in the belly with proper posture and breathing. It appears to me that you are on the right track! - Surviving

fiveyearplus

April 3, 2016 - 10:05pm

I don't think there is any way having part of my stomach removed could interfere with breathing of any sort. As a musician, we do all sorts of breathing drills which do make my gut feel good. The reason I mentioned the gastrectomy and removal of the first part of my small intestine was because I wondered if missing abdominal organs could affect how everything else is positioned lower down. I do feel that there is something structurally "wrong." Thanks for your comments.