Redundant colon and surgery?

I was given the same diagnosis. But then later found out it was more of the sphincter muscles, not working correctly.And I had procedures done to help with that

@marilynmiller Hi. Ive been having colon issues for almost 3 years. Some of my issues are sphincter muscle related. What did they actually do? And how long ago?

@m i first want to say I can remember no clinical names of anything! However, initially, I had an aorectal motility test. From that, it was determined that the muscles were not working correctly. I was then referred to a colon surgeon. This all happened in september 2025. I had surgery, which involved no cutting.But rather spreading of the anus, so the procedure could be done. The sphincter muscle was injected with botox. So that it would respond to being opening and closing and the other sphincter muscle, and I think it's called a rectal sphincter muscle was dilated. Within about six weeks, I started getting relief. I also was doing a lot of pelvic floor exercises and that was a godsend along with the surgery. Of course.I watch my diet.I'm gluten and dairy free. But constipation is just an offshoot of the body, not working correctly with those muscles, even though I have a torturous colon also. It was when these muscles do not open correctly, and the feces camp move.Ipp comes dried out num constipated. Now, I continue with the exercises in eating well, and I also do a lot of mild yoga. I believe if I stopped any of these things, I would get the same problem back.I'm not sure if that's true or not. The doctor did say that if I didn't respond enough there was a chip. That is inserted, because the neurological connection from the brain to the muscles could be misfiring, and this gets the neurological connection working. At this point I don't believe I need that chip argaretsmith328

Thanks for the tag, @lisalucier. It is nice to meet you, @debschmitt (although not under these circumstances). I have read through your posts here and also what you wrote on your profile. I admire your attitude!

I relate to your weight loss and bowel functioning. The horrible pain through the rectum has gotten better, only creeping back less-than-occasionally. It definitely stops me in my tracks though. I do not, however have a redundant colon. Your comment about the isolation and lack of understanding going along with all of this may be just as difficult to deal with. I understand!

I am curious exactly where in your colon is a problem. I guess I wonder if in addition to this you have something else going on. I say this because of the description about extreme pain through the rectum. I cannot describe just how bad mine hurt at times, caused by uncoordinated muscles improved by getting pelvic floor therapy.

I am focused to at least maintain my weight and bowel routines the best I can. You mention running out of laxatives to try. I eat quite a bit of extra virgin olive oil that is calorie dense and also acts as a laxative. I started small and worked up to adding 4-5 tablespoons a day added to my food. I also try to eat foods with vitamin C with each of my 3 meals and 2 snacks daily. It may be worth asking your functional doctor about or searching online. I also drink coffee. I also find exercising and light weight training is helping.

Have you found anything that particularly helps or causes problems for you?

@debschmitt

What works for me is a liquidy diet plus avoiding a lot (almost all normal foods) other than an odd assortment of foods that I have tested that work for me. (plus dietary enzymes and a few supplements). Happy to go into details. My situation is similar enough to yours -- in fact, I would be a real mess if I wasn't doing the above protocol.

@researchmaven Hello! I would love to hear your current protocol if you don't mind going into detail. One thing I have found helps me is high-dose Vitamin C but balancing the correct amount within a daily regimen has been trial-and-error. Continuing to search for helpful protocols!

Hi lapxp!

Here you go (and it does evolve as I learn more/age):

For Severely Redundant Colon:
1. Hilma Constipation Relief (besides magnesium citrate, it has bitter orange, anise and ginger). It is gentle in the right dose. It is an osmotic laxative that works for me and can cancel out the dry stool caused by the R.C.
2. Spinach - cooked, it has a lot of magnesium and if you have a decent amount, I don't take the Hilma.
For a meal without spinach, I take Hilma, but mostly less than a capsule. I have smaller, empty capsules and make my own smaller doses. Too much is like an IBS experience.
3. Slipper Elm Inner Bark powder (Frontier Co-op brand). It is mucous supportive and provides "slip" around all the extra twists and turns. I take 1/8 teaspoon in water before a meal.
4. Soups and porridge. Solid foods - a bite. Solids are not working so well, even with the Hilma and spinach (but with these two, my constipation isn't as bad.

For IBS-C, but you didn't ask: I have an extremely limited diet of non-trigger foods. I also Intoleran dietary enzymes or Pure Encapsulations Digestive Enzymes Utra with every meal. I sometimes wonder if I can even make digestive enzymes any more!

That is my fun and games. I am 70 years old now -- still active -- in the upper 50% range, but not a superwoman.

Two other things I forgot to include, lapxp --- I have some cooked rhubarb (I can get it in my town) and fresh kiwi every night.