LIFE-CHANGING
I had to have ‘Barbie butt’ op to stitch my rear end shut – I can’t control my bowels anymore but I’m free
She risked developing bowel cancer if she didn't have the operation
A MUM was forced to have her rectum removed and her anus sewn up to save her life - a surgical procedure that's been dubbed 'Barbie Butt'.
Meghan Cary Brown was 23 when she was forced to have surgery due to a dangerous complication of Crohn's disease.
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The condition, which over 540,000 people in the UK live with, is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation in the digestive tract.
Meghan, from Charlottesville, Virginia in the US, was first diagnosed with Crohn's disease at the age of 13 after suffering years of pain, fatigue, and hospitalisations.
She said: "As a teen, I had to be home-schooled for a year because my symptoms were so bad I was bedridden most days.
"My parents would find me lying on the bathroom floor because I couldn’t even walk to the bed. I was in so much pain, and I was constantly exhausted."
Read more on Crohn's disease
Although her Crohn's disease went into remission for a while, the symptoms returned during her college years.
By the time Meghan reached her early 20s, doctors informed her that her bowel had become precancerous, leaving her with a critical choice - have it removed or risk developing bowel cancer in a few years.
She said: "I was adamant that I wasn’t going to have my colon removed. I thought my life would be over if I had that done. I was in a very dark place.
"But I knew I wanted to one day have children, and the prospect of facing cancer as a young mum - even if it was years down the line - pushed me to undergo the surgery. I decided to look at this as my second chance at life."
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In a procedure known as proctectomy, Meghan's bowel was removed, a permanent ostomy bag was fitted, and her rectum was sewn shut.
She admitted: "Of course, seeing the physical changes made to my body was a shock, but the recovery was also challenging. The hardest part was not being able to sit.
300,000 people in the UK battle Crohn's Disease, Ulcerative Colitis and other forms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease
"For two weeks following the surgery, I had to remain in a 45-degree position in bed to avoid putting pressure on the stitches, which could cause them to tear.
"Standing was painful, and the constant soreness made even simple tasks difficult."
Meghan also developed an excruciating rash under the stitches.
She recalled: "I literally had skin falling off. My mum helped me care for the area, using diaper rash cream and a fan to keep it dry. Eventually, the skin healed."
'I CAN'T DO A NUMBER 2 THE SAME WAY'
Having her bowel and rectum removed meant Meghan could no longer pass waste the usual way.
Instead, her waste is collected in an ostomy bag attached to a stoma - an opening in her abdomen where part of her intestine is connected.
She continued: "I don't have the urge to go to the bathroom anymore; it just happens.
";I empty my bag six to eight times a day. Although living with a stoma comes with its own set of challenges, I am grateful for the quality of life it has given me.
I can’t control my bowels anymore, but I also don’t have to worry about it. I feel free
Meghan Cary Brown
"Before the surgery, the unpredictability of Crohn’s disease made social situations and travel anxiety-inducing. I was always worried about finding a bathroom. Now, I have peace of mind."
The bag itself became something Meghan had to adapt to in all aspects of life, including intimacy with her husband, Thomas.
She said: "I wore beautiful lacy wraps with a pocket to tuck the bag in during intimate moments.
"It helped with my body image because I felt pretty.
"But honestly, we’ve reached a point where we’re so comfortable with each other - we can laugh off any awkward moments.”
A year after the surgery, Meghan decided to share her journey online, creating an Instagram account to spread awareness about living with a stoma.
RAISING AWARENESS
Today, she has over 64.6K followers on Instagram and an additional 149.7K on TikTok.
Her content is a mix of humour and education, addressing common questions about stoma life - like whether her intestines could ever “fall out” (known as a stoma prolapse) and what it’s like to have her 'Barbie Butt' sewn shut.
She insisted: "Sharing my story and finding humour in what has happened to me helps me put things into perspective.
“Life is short, and I’m so happy to be healthy and living life to the fullest.
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"I have two beautiful children, Cora and Colin, and an incredibly supportive husband.
"I can’t control my bowels anymore, but I also don’t have to worry about it. I feel free."
What is Crohn's disease?
CROHN's disease is a lifelong condition where parts of the digestive system become inflamed.
It is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) which, along with ulcerative colitis, affects almost half a million people in the UK.
Symptoms usually start in childhood, but the disease affects people of all ages. These include:
- Diarrhoea
- Stomach aches and cramps
- Blood in your poo
- Tiredness (fatigue)
- Weight loss
There is no cure, but treatment can help reduce or control symptoms.
Some people take medication to lessen inflammation in the digestive system, while others might have surgery to remove a small area.
The exact cause is unknown, but genes, problems with your immune system, smoking, stomach bugs and gut bacteria imbalances are believed to play a part.
Source: NHS
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