After colon resection: What helps with severe gas?

Hi @fatfreelife1, I hope you saw the helpful reply from @bea1972

How are you doing? Has the cramping and gas improved?

Hi,
Ever since my colorectal surgery I have chronic, watery diarrhea and very load gas and it makes me very self conscious. It has been hard for me to be social or go out where I don’t know the restroom situation. I am grateful that my life was saved but am so embarrassed my life has become so limited. Does anyone have a similar problem or any suggestions that could help with the sound? My colostomy bag also farted which I do not think is as common but was hoping to regain my life and it’s now been years of severe anxiety. Thank you.

Watery diarrhea was my only symptom that something was wrong and lead to my first colonoscopy that found cancer.
I had the watery diarrhea for many months before my resection and I have continued to have the same for 9 months after surgery.
Actually, every time I think that things are getting better, I have another tremendous episode like yesterday while in Walmart.
I frequent the same places most of the time and I absolutely know where the restrooms are.
I do not have a bag. Diarrhea is my only problem. I have noticed that gas seems to get trapped and causing bloating.
And yes, when it does let loose, it is best to be at home.
I would imagine a follow-up with your doctor is in order.
Stay on it and get help.

I am five weeks out from colon surgery and have gas pain under my breast into my side.

Hello, don’t drink from a straw. It gives you gas.

Just a few general tips that we learned along the way as my husband was recovering- his doctor's recommended a low fiber, low residue, no diary diet. Now that my husband is several years out from surgery, he has pinpointed some (but not all) of the culprits for him: dairy, garlic, onion and citrus all give him trouble and he stays away from very fibrous vegetables, legumes, etc. A heating pad while laying on his left side with a knee bent, walking around, gas-x and gas relief herbal tea have offered some relief. He also uses dairy relief pills when he really wants to eat ice cream or cheese. Hope this helps

Hi,
I had sigmoid resection in June/23.
I seem to have a lot of extreme smelly gas usually about 1/2 hour after eating anything. I don't have pain, but this is very embarrassing as sometimes it is hard to control.
I never had this until this surgery.
Has anyone else experienced this?

Hello @wornoutandtired5151 and welcome to Mayo Connect. Your concerns are certainly understandable. Most of us who have had digestive tract surgery have had similar problems.

As you read the other posts in this discussion group you will find others who have discovered culprits that make this problem worse. @mardee313 writes in the post above. about her husband and she says, "...he has pinpointed some (but not all) of the culprits for him: dairy, garlic, onion and citrus all give him trouble and he stays away from very fibrous vegetables, legumes, etc." I would encourage you to read the posts in this discussion. Many other members have written about how they have tracked foods that make the gas worse.

I'm wondering if you have kept a food diary to see if there are any trigger foods (or culprits) that seem to make the problem worse. I look forward to hearing from you again.

As @hopeful33250 is suggesting, keeping a food diary helps identifying culprits.

I had a total resection of the rectum, mesorectum, and sigmoid in January. I started with a very restrictive diet, then added one food at a time per week, following a list of foods recommended by a clinical dietitian at first. And I kept a food and symptoms diary. That's how I know I should avoid onions, beef, lamb, duck, pork, very creamy cheese, and eat little of brocoli, cauliflower and brussel sprouts. You could use an app called My Symptoms to help you track what affects you.

Thank you!

I seem to have the same issue no matter what I eat but I will be more mindful and keep a record to see if some are worse than others.
Thanks for responding.