Total colectomy mostly will impact her ability to absorb water, sodium,
and chloride.  The colon does absorb some short chain fatty acids and some
vitamins, but I believe the majority serves as an energy substrate for the
colonic epithelial cells.  The small bowel is the primary location for
absorbtion of glucose and amino acids.  I couldn't find any references
regarding specific deficiencies following total colectomy.  Dehydration
may certainly play a role, though if she has had it for long she had
probably self-adjusted her intake to compensate.

Do you know the reason for the colectomy -- I'm assuming ulcerative
colitis?

Shannon Tierney McElearney, MD
Research Fellow
General Surgery, UVA

             ***********************************************

To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail
To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest)
To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
All commands go to [log in to unmask]

The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(R)
mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html