POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS AFTER SURGERY FOR IBD

Unfortunately, a lot of people with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis require surgery at some point during their lives. Fortunately, complications are relatively rare. 

We list and discuss the complications here, so you will know what they are. Some of them are scary but they usually don't happen. And hopefully, they won't stop anyone from having the surgery they need, because delaying surgery can lead to ongoing disease with more complications.  

Short -term complications (these occur soon after surgery)

• Infection (or an abscess, where the infection builds up in one area, usually near the surgery site) usually responds to antibiotics
• Ileus (the term for the intestine remaining quiet, without activity)
• Slow or poor wound healing (patients will often have low proteins or remain on steroids)
• Malnutrition (patients may need extra fluids, calories and steroids after surgery because of the physical stress they've been under

Long-term complications (months to years later)

• Blockage from scar tissue from the surgery or from Crohn's disease that is active in another area
• Short bowel syndrome, with poor absorption of needed nutrients