Change in stool after partial colectomy

Hi, @memehatter20, my experience differs somewhat for yours but may give you some added information to evaluate your current situation. My"partial colectomy" in December took a majority of my colon so that my food gets processed almost exclusively by my stomach and small intestine -- small in the sense of the diameter of the tube, not in its length which is considerable. Lacking the ability to cluster digesting food in the collecting colon (instead sending it almost directly to the rectum), my system -- like yours -- features stools of small, soft pieces with gas, although no odor I can detect with my Covid-damaged sense of smell. I too increased my water intake to stabilize my blood pressure and relieve stress on my kidneys and bladder. Martin

I'm similar to Martin, except they took the whole colon - not a resection, so this also may not apply.

Some of the heavier cooking fats such as peanut oil and blends, cause the gassy and stinky stuff for me as well as cause intestinal grumpiness - I assume that it is because it more difficult to digest.

Easy enough to try it.

Yes all of the above issues. You may look at digestive enzymes like creon. Smelly greasy stool may be from malabsorption and undigested foods which may lead to weight loss. Do you further research.

Not sure if your situation same... due to cancerous tumor...about 6 months ago had my right ascending colon out, and resectioned. No problems recovering. But still have what sounds like similar stool stuff... small, (look like aliens from outer space floating in their own world), and can sure be gaseous. Sometime just very watery. I have looked this up and it doesn't seem too uncommon for a right hemicoloctomy. Have yet to determine the "right" diet, but thinking dairy NOT my friend. 🙂 Nor acidic types of foods. I DO feel lucky, however, it does not interfere to MUCH with my lifestyle in general!! And, wonder if eventually the system will adjust or not. Kinda frustrating because of continual worry that yet something else is "wrong".

I have posted this several times but here goes. I had 6 inches of my colon removed. Try to drink 64 oz. Liquids daily. (Hate water so I mix it with tea, little soda, pure watermelon juice, etc.) My stool most often comes out in dark, round balls. I have yet to hear of anyone else with this problem. I have increased my fiber intake considerably & sometimes, but rarely,have normal movements. However, I am fortunate in that I feel fine.

Same here and apparently I just have to keep drinking water (according to oncologist)

@memehatter20, you've received several posts from fellow members that I hope shed some light for you. Have you talked with your symptom management nurse about the change in stool? Is this your system finding your new normal?

Hi, I spoke with my surgeon and was advised to go on the BRAT diet for 2-3 days. My stool has returned to “normal”, no longer floating.
I appreciate all the responses 🙂

Your hard stools could be due to too much fiber. You might want to try a low residue diet for a while.

I just had the whole colon also removed, so now small intestine hooked to my rectum. I concur on the smell. Horrible and embarassing. I try and avoid public restrooms if I can. I feel like pulling a trailer with my own porta-potty! Stools are like looking at floating blackberries at times, small pencil-like at times and sometimes like coffee grounds. For the most part I handle most foods well, but depending on what that is, depends on whether it is a continuous trot to the toilet. I haven't figured out what those are yet, but I know if I eat cooked onions and some spicy I'll pay the price and beat a path to the toilet numerous times during the night. I need to get some stock in toilet paper! Besides colon cancer (which got my dad when he was 62) diagnosed in March with surgery in March, I also have/had prostate cancer in 2007. I was diagnosed with Lynch Syndrome, but I was also exposed to Agent Orange, so kind of a double whammy.