@mindy78 - welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. That sounds highly uncomfortable to have pinching, pulling and burning symptoms after a bowel resection, plus low left side pain.

I moved your post here so that you could connect with others who've talked about bowel resection, such as @st150799 @fdixon63 @becsbuddy @lisag03 and others:

- Partial obstructions, other issues 9 weeks after bowel resection https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/partial-obstructions-9-weeks-after-bowel-resection/

The CT scans did not show anything abnormal, then? If so, how did your doctor account for the symptoms you've been experiencing?

@mindy78
I have had 3 linguinal hernia repairs with mesh. With my first bowel resection (sigmoid and cecum), some of the mesh had to be removed as it was connected to the tumor. I later developed a leak at the reconnection site near cecum so needed additional repair. A few months later, I developed a SBO obstruction, due to adhesions. They needed to remove a bunch of adhesions to clear it. I still have a hernia in that area, and another near by. I often feel pulling and burning pain, and sometime aching if I over do.

I’ve had a total of 4 colon resections and abdominal wall reconstruction so I do not want to do anything else surgery wise. So I live with occasional discomfort

@mindy78 Are you having normal bowel movements? I think mechanically, if things are working - then that's a great sign! I'm unfortunately still having issues and they figured out what the issue was. My scar tissue grew so fast after surgery at the astamosis site, that it closed up. My opening was 1/3 size of a piece of corn which wasn't confirmed until 5 months after my bowel resection in a colonoscopy. By that time I had over 4 partial bowel obstructions... all CT and MRI scans came back normal since some fluid was still moving. CRAZY! Dont let Dr.s tell you that you're crazy or imagining things. Be your best advocate.

My local GI wanted me to get another bowel resection... but Mayo did a balloon dialiation in that area and also, placed stents. The stents fell out within 3 weeks - so that didn't work. So I went back and they "winged it". They saw that where the stents were placed at the astomosis, my intestine prolapled. They were able to place temp sutures in the area. I was then able to eat after 8 months of a liquid diet. BUT since they were temp stitches (cause they didn't know if this would work), 3 months later I started having symptoms again. So for the past year or so Ive been on soft foods. But I'm happy to just be eating anything, honestly. My appt is in 2 week to get permanant sutures via colonoscopy in that area. Now.. this was a TEST. They've never done this before so it's published study now.

I know our situations are different but be your best advocate and get opinions. Mayo is amazing and greatful they didn't want to rush me back for a bowel resection. I may have to do it eventually if this final procedure doesn't work, fingers crossed.

@mindy78
I had an emergency small bowel resection in 2021. They removed 6 feet (yes feet). They never knew what caused it. Anyway, about 10 weeks afterwards I started having cramping pains and bloating. They did a scan and decided there was a stricture (narrowing) at the surgical connection from scar tissue. They put me on a low fiber diet and said eventually I would need to get it taken care of. Finally about 18 months later I had it repaired. Unfortunately all of this has exasperated my IBS and introduced SIBO along the way. But I manage. Anyway, there is a type of scan that takes several hours where you drink contrast like every 30 minutes and they take a picture to see how quickly it is moving through your bowel. This will tell them if there is any partial obstruction due to scar tissue from your previous surgery. That's what I would ask for. Also, don't just take one doc's opinion. Find someone who can tell you what's going on.