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Distended abdomen 6 months after semi-colectomy for volvus

Posted by jeanrahn @jeanrahn, Feb 13 2:22pm

Hi - Anyone else with this problem. I had emergency colon surgery for cecal volvulus maybe caused by torturous colon. That was 6 no ago. My abdomen is distended. I am thin at 96 lbs. It is uncomfortable but not horrible. I don’t seem to get any answers about this and I wonder if it permanent. Thanks.

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lsdd13 | @lsdd13 | Feb 14 10:12am

I’m sorry to tell you this, but my surgery(Colectomy) was in Nov 21 and the distinction has never gone away. I’ve done pelvic therapy, low FODMAP diet, and it’s still there. My guess , although my surgeon never admitted to it is surgical lesions. There’s no way to confirm that. All you can do is manage the excess gas and bloat. The distention remains. I had to buy elastic waist pants and stretchy skirts and I was a size 2!

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1 reply
jeanrahn | @jeanrahn | Feb 14 11:48am
In reply to @lsdd13 "I’m sorry to tell you this, but my surgery(Colectomy) was in Nov 21 and the distinction..." + (show)
@lsdd13

I’m sorry to tell you this, but my surgery(Colectomy) was in Nov 21 and the distinction has never gone away. I’ve done pelvic therapy, low FODMAP diet, and it’s still there. My guess , although my surgeon never admitted to it is surgical lesions. There’s no way to confirm that. All you can do is manage the excess gas and bloat. The distention remains. I had to buy elastic waist pants and stretchy skirts and I was a size 2!

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Thanks so much. It sounds like we are in the same boat. To tell you the truth, no one has really taken this too seriously, and I had a CT scan in Nov. which showed no problems with the surgery. But I hate it!

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lsdd13 | @lsdd13 | Feb 14 12:49pm

I’ve had many CT scans,ultrasounds and even an MRI…nada! You can’t see lesions and to remove them causes more lesions..no one seems to take them seriously unless they cause blockage and surgeons never give you a heads up bout how the surgery will affect your body and body image.
I have been very depressed about it but I guess lucky that it isn’t something much worse.
Invest in some cute stretch waist clothes and tops that are loose around the belly.
If you need any post colon surgery fashion tips ,give me a holler!

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1 reply
jeanrahn | @jeanrahn | Feb 14 1:04pm
In reply to @lsdd13 "I’ve had many CT scans,ultrasounds and even an MRI…nada! You can’t see lesions and to remove..." + (show)
@lsdd13

I’ve had many CT scans,ultrasounds and even an MRI…nada! You can’t see lesions and to remove them causes more lesions..no one seems to take them seriously unless they cause blockage and surgeons never give you a heads up bout how the surgery will affect your body and body image.
I have been very depressed about it but I guess lucky that it isn’t something much worse.
Invest in some cute stretch waist clothes and tops that are loose around the belly.
If you need any post colon surgery fashion tips ,give me a holler!

Jump to this post

Hi- and you have been so helpful! I know I should be just glad to be alive- but sheesh! Every time I pass a mirror I have to look! It is depressing sometimes. Your theory makes sense to me and it’s the only thing that does. Thanks again!

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lsdd13 | @lsdd13 | Feb 14 1:10pm

I’m 77 years old and still quite vain. I love clothes and looking good. I’ve found designers that work for me and continue to work on the belly.
Try Pilates! It’s great for the core.

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