Sigmoid colon resection: What to expect for recovery?

Posted by virgo1952 @virgo1952, Dec 1, 2019

It’s been 4+weeks since my resection. Found a cancerous polyp during a routine screening. Some frustration over the lack of information given by the surgeon as to what to expect afterwards. Late 60’s so I know the healing will take time. Mostly, struggling with bowel urgency/frequency and experiencing stomach pain from gas (pretty sure) is three months s realistic time frame for returning to “normal”? I’ve seen some posts that talk about two years? No further treatment so I was lucky. If anyone has had this surgery and went through or is going through the healing process, I would love to hear from you. Just kind of out there.

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I am 4 weeks out of surgery today. I had 12 inches removed. I thought that the recovery was 4-6weeks. I’m pretty much still sitting up in bed most of the day. It’s very uncomfortable to sit in a chair. I go on 15 minute walks a few times a day but find it exhausting and it seems to cause Throbbing pain in my left groin into my thigh. I still have 2 incisions that ooze a bit but no fever and a lot of abdominal tenderness. Shooting pains and cramping with blood in my stools is still happening. Is all this normal at 4 weeks. It’s confusing because I thought I’d be “back to normal” in 4-6 weeks. Im still eating a bland diet due to abdominal pain and bowel issues. I am 45 and pretty healthy. This has been a struggle. I’m glad I found this group!

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@monicaeve

I am 4 weeks out of surgery today. I had 12 inches removed. I thought that the recovery was 4-6weeks. I’m pretty much still sitting up in bed most of the day. It’s very uncomfortable to sit in a chair. I go on 15 minute walks a few times a day but find it exhausting and it seems to cause Throbbing pain in my left groin into my thigh. I still have 2 incisions that ooze a bit but no fever and a lot of abdominal tenderness. Shooting pains and cramping with blood in my stools is still happening. Is all this normal at 4 weeks. It’s confusing because I thought I’d be “back to normal” in 4-6 weeks. Im still eating a bland diet due to abdominal pain and bowel issues. I am 45 and pretty healthy. This has been a struggle. I’m glad I found this group!

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I had the same thing done on March 2nd. Had two twists in colon & colitis. Still running to bathroom 8-10x / day. Not fun. Always tired and dehydrated. I drink tons of water all day. Living on loperimide, that's all that helps me. No greasy or fried food. Good luck.

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@lisag03

I had similar surgery (initial cancer was in my sigmoid colon and had partially attached to the cecum. I had initial surgery 5/6/19, and then another on 5/16/19 due to a leak at the anastomoses site. I had a wound vac for around 4-5 weeks and initially pain was rough. It takes months to feel better. But if you are having so much nausea I would contact your oncologist. Are you still doing chemo? I did chemo after surgery but only made it two rounds. Too much diarrhea and I wound up needing a surgery for an obstruction caused by adhesions. That was in August 2019. I developed a fistula in September and 19 and ultimately that led to a perforation requiring emergency surgery on 11/6/19. I developed sepsis and was on a ventilator for 9 days and in the hospital for 5 weeks. I was no food or liquid by mouth until end of December. I was on TPN while I healed from another Leak.
I had four prior abdominal surgeries (all open surgeries) prior to the sigmoid resection and it made healing more difficult. I had three inguinal her repairs and the mesh has been an issue with both my sigmoid resection and all other surgeries. I’m still not “normal” and have tons of gas and bloating when I eat. My tummy is still swollen and distended. I think it takes a long time to heal. I don’t feel like my surgeon really told me what to expect in the future. I think they just deal with the surgical aspect not long term. I hope you get some relief.

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OMG! Nightmares. I'll stop complaining. Hugs to you.

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@monicaeve

I am 4 weeks out of surgery today. I had 12 inches removed. I thought that the recovery was 4-6weeks. I’m pretty much still sitting up in bed most of the day. It’s very uncomfortable to sit in a chair. I go on 15 minute walks a few times a day but find it exhausting and it seems to cause Throbbing pain in my left groin into my thigh. I still have 2 incisions that ooze a bit but no fever and a lot of abdominal tenderness. Shooting pains and cramping with blood in my stools is still happening. Is all this normal at 4 weeks. It’s confusing because I thought I’d be “back to normal” in 4-6 weeks. Im still eating a bland diet due to abdominal pain and bowel issues. I am 45 and pretty healthy. This has been a struggle. I’m glad I found this group!

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Hello @monicaeve and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect!

I'm sorry to hear of the problems you continue to experience post-sigmoid surgery. This must be disheartening to be having symptoms when you were expecting to be somewhat back to normal. Actually, four weeks out of surgery is not such a long time and perhaps your expectations are not realistic given the extent of your surgery
.
Have you talked with your surgeon or GI doctor to determine what the time frame is for recovery? (Being aware, of course, that everyone heals at a different rate.) If not, you might give their office a call or send a message through the patient portal. I would especially mention the blood in the stools which could indicate something more than just the normal recovery.

Will you contact the surgeon and mention these symptoms, especially the bloody stool?

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@hopeful33250

Hello @monicaeve and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect!

I'm sorry to hear of the problems you continue to experience post-sigmoid surgery. This must be disheartening to be having symptoms when you were expecting to be somewhat back to normal. Actually, four weeks out of surgery is not such a long time and perhaps your expectations are not realistic given the extent of your surgery
.
Have you talked with your surgeon or GI doctor to determine what the time frame is for recovery? (Being aware, of course, that everyone heals at a different rate.) If not, you might give their office a call or send a message through the patient portal. I would especially mention the blood in the stools which could indicate something more than just the normal recovery.

Will you contact the surgeon and mention these symptoms, especially the bloody stool?

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Thank you for responding! I will reach out to the surgeon tomorrow. I hate to be a bother but it sounds like it’s probably a good idea!!!

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@ajl4

I had the same thing done on March 2nd. Had two twists in colon & colitis. Still running to bathroom 8-10x / day. Not fun. Always tired and dehydrated. I drink tons of water all day. Living on loperimide, that's all that helps me. No greasy or fried food. Good luck.

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I hate that you are having a rough time as well but it does help to know perhaps what we are both going through is part of the recovery!

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@monicaeve

Thank you for responding! I will reach out to the surgeon tomorrow. I hate to be a bother but it sounds like it’s probably a good idea!!!

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I'm glad to hear that, @monicaeve. I look forward to hearing from you after you talk to the surgeon. Will you post an update?

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I am only three weeks from sigmoid colon removal. The posts have given me hope that things will get better in time. I was wondering if members have found a good plan to cut down on trips to the bathroom. Last night I woke up at least every two hours to use the bathroom and I had two accidents. It’s hard during the day with so many trips, but it is worse at night. I saw a post about Metamucil? What is the regimen for that and I would appreciate any other ideas.

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so sorry for your discomfort; I am 7 months out and still live in the bathroom. What fun! No doc ever tells you what to expect. It's a big fat secret. Nightmares.

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