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