← Return to Colectomy: items to consider getting for hospital and home recovery

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@nancyclare my elective, laparoscopic sigmoidectomy ended up happening on January 15, 2026. It went very well. I had just a 3" main extraction incision and 2 small, 3/4" incisions. Recovery went very well although I regressed a bit when I broke the lifting rules on a backyard paver and block project at month 3 but I still avoided a hernia. BM's quickly leveled out at a pre-op 1 per day/AM. They'll move towards constipation consistency every now and then, usually caused by travel, and I just increase water intake and use .5 to .75 doses of mirilax at night for 2-3 days to dial it back in. Early on I was very focused on nutrition for recovery. I used AI to research key nutrients and their volumes for recovery and then food and supplements to get those from. I would update AI daily with my intake, BMs, symptoms, and progress and I used Cronometer app/website to enter and track my intake so I knew how I was doing on each nutrient. Lots of protein, collagen, zinc, copper, Vit C, B9/12, D2, Omega 3, and electrolytes. I used my diet and water intake to manage BMs too and it worked out well. Hope those ideas help.

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Replies to "@nancyclare my elective, laparoscopic sigmoidectomy ended up happening on January 15, 2026. It went very well...."

@bc321 Thank you so much for your feedback!
When I took Mirilax early on it caused bleeding that lasted for about a week, maybe 2.
I took a Colace about 4 days ago and I had spasms with Phlegm every 15 to 30 minutes.
I'm not going normally but I am eating a good diet with plenty of protein and a smoothie with prunes every morning so I was hoping that would suffice.
Do you pay for your AI?
I usually ask Google and their AI does not save the info and too often tells me to go straight to the ER.
Just picked up Cronometer.
Do I understand correctly that you take 1/2 to 3/4 of a dose of Miralax when needed?
Thank you again so much for your feedback!