Need to have Colonoscopy 10 weeks post Surgery

[ironpoorer 88]

Any issues with having been sleeved 12/28/15 and having a colonoscopy now? Any issues with the pre-scope diet? I have an appointment with our Family doctor tomorrow, but should I also call my sleeve Surgeon?

3.8.16 edit: sorry, tried to past something and the post went crazy; sorry

Edited March 8, 2016 by ironpoorer

[ironpoorer 88]

Bump

Any issues with having been sleeved 12/28/15 and having a colonoscopy now? Any issues with the pre-scope diet? I have an appointment with our Family doctor tomorrow, but should I also call my sleeve Surgeon?

3.8.16 edit: sorry, tried to past something and the post went crazy; sorry

[bigbit 99]

I have been diagnosed since 1983 with Ulcerative Colitis and have had many colonoscopies over the years, but none since my VSG last November.

Based on my experience, I wouldn't worry about the colonoscopy itself but rather the prep. The scope only goes through your lower intestine and nowhere near the stomach. However, the prep itself is like the liquid diet one goes through with VSG surgery, only just for a day or two, plus the taking of laxative preps.

My concern would be with the very strong laxatives you will need to take to prep your colon the day before surgery. There are two options for a prep solution - one is called Go Lytely, which one must drink large quantities of as part of the prep, or a second one whose name I've forgotten, where you need to drink two full glassfuls. I would think the second type would be better for your situation.

I'd talk to both your Bariatric surgeon and your gastro about your situation and see if there should be any adjustment made to the prep quantities or procedures to accommodate your sleeve.

[shrinkingkimber 200]

I have been diagnosed since 1983 with Ulcerative Colitis and have had many colonoscopies over the years, but none since my VSG last November.

Based on my experience, I wouldn't worry about the colonoscopy itself but rather the prep. The scope only goes through your lower intestine and nowhere near the stomach. However, the prep itself is like the liquid diet one goes through with VSG surgery, only just for a day or two, plus the taking of laxative preps.

My concern would be with the very strong laxatives you will need to take to prep your colon the day before surgery. There are two options for a prep solution - one is called Go Lytely, which one must drink large quantities of as part of the prep, or a second one whose name I've forgotten, where you need to drink two full glassfuls. I would think the second type would be better for your situation.

I'd talk to both your Bariatric surgeon and your gastro about your situation and see if there should be any adjustment made to the prep quantities or procedures to accommodate your sleeve.

I hate to hijack a post, but seeing you have UC caught my eye. I also have UC and my VSG will be in June. My surgeon is hesitant though because I'm on Remicade for my UC. May I ask how things went for you having UC and going through WLS?

[bigbit 99]

Sure.

I never responded well to drugs like Asacol and Colazal, and eventually, my gastro put me on Entocort (budesonide capsules) several years ago. Since then, I have been in relative remission (occasional minor flares). I have not done the Remicade route; we are holding that back as a last resort.

I found that the first month or two after surgery, I was having problems with what I would classify as a flare. I changed the Protein shakes I was taking to lactose-free ones and I have been doing much better. I use the Bariatric Advantage Lactose-free Protein powder, and Lean Body On-The-Go and Slimfast lactose-free shakes and I seem to tolerate these much better.

I can't comment on the impact Remicade could have on your VSG; I do know that Remicade does reduce your ability to fight infections, etc.

[shrinkingkimber 200]

Sure.

I never responded well to drugs like Asacol and Colazal, and eventually, my gastro put me on Entocort (budesonide capsules) several years ago. Since then, I have been in relative remission (occasional minor flares). I have not done the Remicade route; we are holding that back as a last resort.

I found that the first month or two after surgery, I was having problems with what I would classify as a flare. I changed the Protein shakes I was taking to lactose-free ones and I have been doing much better. I use the Bariatric Advantage Lactose-free Protein Powder, and Lean Body On-The-Go and Slimfast lactose-free shakes and I seem to tolerate these much better.

I can't comment on the impact Remicade could have on your VSG; I do know that Remicade does reduce your ability to fight infections, etc.

I wish I would have resisted a little before starting Remicade. It's only the 3rd drug I've even been prescribed for UC. I was diagnosed 5 years ago. Was your surgeon ok with you being on Entocort while having surgery? Thanks for sharing with me.