Digestion and absorption The duodenum accomplishes a good deal of chemical digestion, as well as a small amount of nutrient absorption (see part 3); the main function of the jejunum and ileum is to finish chemical digestion (enzymatic cleavage of nutrients) and absorb these nutrients along with water and vitamins.

The primary function of the jejunum is to absorb sugars, amino acids, and fatty acids. Both the jejunum and ileum are peritoneal. The ileum absorbs any remaining nutrients that did not get absorbed by the duodenum or jejunum, in particular vitamin B12, as well as bile acids that will go on to be recycled.

The jejunum absorbs most of your nutrients: carbohydrates, fats, minerals, proteins, and vitamins. The lowest part of your small intestine is the ileum. This is where the final parts of digestive absorption take place. The ileum absorbs bile acids, fluid, and vitamin B-12.

If the middle part (jejunum) is removed, sometimes the last part (ileum) can adapt and absorb more nutrients. If more than about 3 feet (about 1 meter) of ileum is removed, the remaining small intestine usually cannot adapt.

You Cannot, Live Without Your Small Intestine. The small intestine cannot be completely removed. Some patients may undergo surgery to remove some of their small bowel.

If a large part of your small intestine was removed, you may have problems with loose stools and getting enough nutrients from the food you eat. If you have a long-term (chronic) condition, such as cancer, Crohn disease or ulcerative colitis, you may need ongoing medical treatment.

Causes of Short Bowel Syndrome The small intestine is quite adaptive; in fact, even with removal of up to 40% of it, appropriate digestion is still possible. However, removing more than this, or even removal of certain parts of the small intestine can have adverse consequences.

Once your colon is removed, your surgeon will join the ileum, or the lower part of your small intestine, to the rectum. A colectomy allows you to continue to pass stool through your anus without the need for an external pouch.

A small bowel resection is the removal of part of the small intestine. The small intestine includes the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. The surgery can be done through an open incision or using smaller incisions using a tool called a laparoscope.

Intestinal Failure Most people can live without a stomach or large intestine, but it is harder to live without a small intestine. When all or most of the small intestine has to be removed or stops working, nutrients must be put directly into the blood stream (intravenous or IV) in liquid form.

Your small intestine should heal completely in 3 to 6 months. Your villi will be back and working again. If you are older, it may take up to 2 years for your body to heal.

Recovering from small intestine resection surgery On average people spend around six days in hospital, but a full recovery from resection surgery takes around four to six weeks. The time it takes can vary on your pre and post-surgery health.

Avoid Chewy or Crunchy A few days later, you can start to eat real food. Your doctor may tell you to start with soft foods like cooked vegetables, bananas, avocados, mashed potatoes, and tender proteins. Your intestines may be swollen after surgery, and these foods will travel through them more easily.

Risks of bowel surgery As with any major operation, surgery for bowel cancer has risks. These may include infection, bleeding, blood clots, damage to nearby organs, or leaking from the joins between the remaining parts of the bowel. You will be carefully monitored for any side effects afterwards.

There are lots of types of bowel surgery. This information is about surgery to remove all or part of your large bowel (colon). This is called a bowel resection. You might need this type of surgery if you have a bowel condition such as bowel cancer, diverticular disease, Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.

The studies revealed the average age of a person with a colostomy to be 70.6 years, an ileostomy 67.8 years, and a urostomy 66.6 years.