@peterose what happened to me is when they cut out 1/3 of my large intestine of transverse colon ( cancer) and put the two pieces back together, I 1st got an ileus on left side. As it was resolving I went home but 2 weeks later I got a rupture at that site with not enough leakage to drain but I was put on high powered antibiotics IV to keep my sepsis from getting into my blood stream. As this drainage was walled off by my immune system it created scar tissue at the site was where 2 ends put together causing me to go back twice via er with small bowel partial obstructions with C diff infections with the worst stabbing pains I have ever had in my life. The stretching of the anastomosis was done by an experienced gi surgeon via colonoscopy with a tiny catheter with balloons on the sides he gently blew up to stretch my very sick, tight colon out so stool could pass through to rectum. This is very dangerous because it could have burst requiring emergency open surgery. I did get microscopic air bubbles leaking out that went up into my right chest area and I woke up screaming. This is called pneumothorax. It slowly resolved and I was discharged after I showed I could eat a transition diet very small amounts. All this was a 5 month process. I lost a lot of wt, anemic, and vitamin, protein deprived. With rupture I had TPN with lipids IV. They wanted my bowels to rest and heal as much as possible. I dont know if they can stretch a small bowel. Every person's body and surgery is different. My surgeon was very careful with me.
My son died during this time so the grief was the thing that was almost more than I could bear. But my Lord Jesus gave me comfort and grace. Just keep searching for an answer and know it is long process. I am now feeling the best I have in 6 months ,see a dietician and can eat low fiber,easy to digest foods. Dont be hopeless.