Restorative Proctocolectomy Treatment in Turkey
About Restorative Proctocolectomy
Key Highlights
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Curative for conditions like ulcerative colitis and FAP, eliminating diseased tissue.Preserves natural bowel function and continence, avoiding a permanent ileostomy.Improves quality of life by resolving debilitating symptoms like chronic diarrhea, pain, and bleeding.Reduces or eliminates the long-term risk of colorectal cancer associated with the underlying conditions.Allows for a more normal diet and lifestyle compared to living with a permanent stoma.
Who is this surgery for?
- Chronic ulcerative colitis that is severe, medication-resistant, or has developed complications like dysplasia or cancer.
- Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) to prevent the inevitable development of colorectal cancer.
- Indeterminate colitis where the diagnosis is unclear but symptoms are severe and unmanageable.
- Certain cases of Crohn's disease (very carefully selected, as recurrence in the pouch is a risk).
- Toxic megacolon or severe hemorrhage from the colon that is unresponsive to other treatments.
How to prepare
- Comprehensive medical evaluation including colonoscopy, imaging studies, and nutritional assessment.
- Optimization of medical condition, which may include a course of steroids or other medications to reduce inflammation.
- Bowel preparation (cleansing) with a special diet and laxatives to empty the colon.
- Pre-operative counseling with a stoma nurse to discuss all potential outcomes, including temporary ileostomy.
- Discontinuation of certain medications (e.g., blood thinners) as advised by the surgical team.
- Psychological preparation and setting realistic expectations for recovery and lifestyle changes.
Risks & possible complications
- General surgical risks: infection, bleeding, blood clots, and adverse reactions to anesthesia.
- Pouch-specific complications: pouchitis (inflammation of the reservoir), leakage, stricture (narrowing), or fistula formation.
- Bowel dysfunction: increased stool frequency, urgency, or occasional incontinence, especially at night.
- Small bowel obstruction due to scar tissue (adhesions).
- Infertility in women due to pelvic surgery and scarring.
- Risks associated with a temporary ileostomy, if used, including skin irritation and dehydration.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Initial hospital stay of 5-10 days for pain management, monitoring, and ensuring the pouch is healing.
- If a temporary ileostomy was created, it will be reversed in a second surgery typically 8-12 weeks later.
- Gradual advancement from clear liquids to a low-residue diet, avoiding raw fruits/vegetables and nuts initially.
- Stool frequency will be high initially (6-12 times per day) and gradually decrease over several months.
- Pelvic floor exercises may be recommended to improve anal sphincter control.
- Regular follow-up visits to monitor pouch function and check for complications like pouchitis.
- Avoidance of heavy lifting and strenuous activity for 6-8 weeks to allow internal healing.
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Typical hospital stay:
5-10 days
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Expected recovery time:
8-12 weeks for initial recovery; 6-12 months for full adaptation
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering restorative proctocolectomy in Turkey, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Top-rated hospitals in Turkey with surgical gastroenterology departments and experienced surgeons are ideal for this procedure. Use MediFyr to compare facilities, reviews, and doctor profiles before you decide.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform restorative proctocolectomy. MediFyr helps you compare surgical gastroenterologists and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for restorative proctocolectomy compare across other countries where we have data.
| Country | Estimated cost range | Typical stay | Recovery time | View details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | USD 3,854 – USD 8,809 | 5-10 days | ~ 8-12 weeks for initial recovery; 6-12 months for full adaptation | Know More |
| Turkey | USD 28,685 – USD 65,565 | 5-10 days | ~ 8-12 weeks for initial recovery; 6-12 months for full adaptation | Know More |
Navya Khan, a 28-year-old high school...
Navya Khan, a 28-year-old high school biology teacher, had her life defined by Ulcerative Colitis since age 16. For over a decade, she managed with medications, but her condition became severe and refractory. Constant, urgent bloody diarrhea (15+ times a day), debilitating abdominal cramps, and profound fatigue made teaching impossible. She lost 20 pounds and developed anemia. Her gastroenterologist, after failing multiple biologic therapies, recommended a restorative proctocolectomy (IPAA) to remove her diseased colon and rectum and create an internal J-pouch. Navya was terrified of major surgery and the permanent change to her body. The surgery was complex but successful. The initial recovery in the hospital was tough, with pain and learning to manage her temporary ileostomy. Three months later, she had a second, smaller surgery to take down the ileostomy and connect her J-pouch. After a period of adjustment with frequent bowel movements, her body adapted. A year later, Navya has 5-6 controlled bowel movements a day, takes no medication for UC, has regained her weight and energy, and is back in the classroom. Emotionally, she moved from fear and grief over losing an organ to immense relief and empowerment. She feels she has her life back and is no longer a prisoner to the bathroom.