1. < Colorectal Cancer

Sigmoid colon resection: What to expect for recovery?

Posted by virgo1952 @virgo1952, Dec 1, 2019

It’s been 4+weeks since my resection. Found a cancerous polyp during a routine screening. Some frustration over the lack of information given by the surgeon as to what to expect afterwards. Late 60’s so I know the healing will take time. Mostly, struggling with bowel urgency/frequency and experiencing stomach pain from gas (pretty sure) is three months s realistic time frame for returning to “normal”? I’ve seen some posts that talk about two years? No further treatment so I was lucky. If anyone has had this surgery and went through or is going through the healing process, I would love to hear from you. Just kind of out there.

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monicaeve | @monicaeve | Oct 2, 2020

I guess on a positive note - at least I don’t feel like it’s taking too long to recover! Sounds like there’s a long way to go and all this is “normal”. Thanks for responding!!!

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1 reply
monicaeve | @monicaeve | Oct 2, 2020
In reply to @countrygirlquilter "I am only three weeks from sigmoid colon removal. The posts have given me hope that..." + (show)
@countrygirlquilter

I am only three weeks from sigmoid colon removal. The posts have given me hope that things will get better in time. I was wondering if members have found a good plan to cut down on trips to the bathroom. Last night I woke up at least every two hours to use the bathroom and I had two accidents. It’s hard during the day with so many trips, but it is worse at night. I saw a post about Metamucil? What is the regimen for that and I would appreciate any other ideas.

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I’m not sure I have an answer but I do try to eat dinner as early as possible so I’m not up at night as much (5pm) I also don’t experiment with food in the evening - I do that only early in the day. Like yesterday I tried pineapple - it did not agree with me at all but at least by 10pm my stomach calmed down a bit. Someone in the group suggested Kefir and I have been doing that. I also take half a dose of benefiber in the morning. Seems to be helping. If I do get hungry after 5 I keep it very simple like toast or a small bowl of Rice Krispies (easy to digest for me). Hope you feel better soon!

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1 reply
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Oct 2, 2020
In reply to @countrygirlquilter "I am only three weeks from sigmoid colon removal. The posts have given me hope that..." + (show)
@countrygirlquilter

I am only three weeks from sigmoid colon removal. The posts have given me hope that things will get better in time. I was wondering if members have found a good plan to cut down on trips to the bathroom. Last night I woke up at least every two hours to use the bathroom and I had two accidents. It’s hard during the day with so many trips, but it is worse at night. I saw a post about Metamucil? What is the regimen for that and I would appreciate any other ideas.

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Hello @countrygirlquilter and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect,

My GI specialist and PCP both recommend Metamucil to help with those way too frequent trips to the bathroom day and night. You might take a look at the Metamucil label and see what is recommended or better yet, contact your GI doctor and ask what he/she recommends. Often the doctor's nurse or PA can give you good instructions in matters like this and you don't have to try and get in touch with the ever-busy doctor.

You said that you are only 3 weeks from sigmoid colon removal? How long have you had problems before you decided on the surgery?

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countrygirlquilter | @countrygirlquilter | Oct 2, 2020

My problems are maybe different from most on this site. I have suffered with severe chronic constipation my whole life. I have had rectocele surgery twice for a prolapsed rectum. Two different colon surgeons recommended this surgery as my best hope for fixing my issues. Well, I am definitely not constipated anymore. I have had thirteen bowel movements in the last eleven hours. I took a teaspoon of Metamucil with dinner. I am feeling a bit desperate right now.

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1 reply
countrygirlquilter | @countrygirlquilter | Oct 2, 2020
In reply to @monicaeve "I’m not sure I have an answer but I do try to eat dinner as early..." + (show)
@monicaeve

I’m not sure I have an answer but I do try to eat dinner as early as possible so I’m not up at night as much (5pm) I also don’t experiment with food in the evening - I do that only early in the day. Like yesterday I tried pineapple - it did not agree with me at all but at least by 10pm my stomach calmed down a bit. Someone in the group suggested Kefir and I have been doing that. I also take half a dose of benefiber in the morning. Seems to be helping. If I do get hungry after 5 I keep it very simple like toast or a small bowl of Rice Krispies (easy to digest for me). Hope you feel better soon!

Jump to this post

Tonight I am skipping my normal 8:00 p.m. snack. I am at the point of thinking about every bite I take - I know if it goes in, it has to also come out. This is not a diet that I wanted to take.

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1 reply
countrygirlquilter | @countrygirlquilter | Oct 2, 2020
In reply to @ajl4 "so sorry for your discomfort; I am 7 months out and still live in the bathroom...." + (show)
@ajl4

so sorry for your discomfort; I am 7 months out and still live in the bathroom. What fun! No doc ever tells you what to expect. It's a big fat secret. Nightmares.

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Have you tried Metamucil or anything to try and regulate your bowels? So sorry to hear that your still living in the bathroom after 7 months.

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mizreehop1896 | @mizreehop1896 | Oct 3, 2020
In reply to @countrygirlquilter "My problems are maybe different from most on this site. I have suffered with severe chronic..." + (show)
@countrygirlquilter

My problems are maybe different from most on this site. I have suffered with severe chronic constipation my whole life. I have had rectocele surgery twice for a prolapsed rectum. Two different colon surgeons recommended this surgery as my best hope for fixing my issues. Well, I am definitely not constipated anymore. I have had thirteen bowel movements in the last eleven hours. I took a teaspoon of Metamucil with dinner. I am feeling a bit desperate right now.

Jump to this post

Hello I know what you mean . I had resection surgery in January and had bad diaherria too . My doctor said to take 1 Tbs Metamucil mixed in 8 oz water . It will help bulk up your stools . He said I would have to take it the rest of my life . I still have a diaherra stool now and then but not like it was at the beginning. That surgery was very hard for me to recover from and I now have scar tissue from it . But, thank God I am doing good now .
I’m now dealing with right sided pain from Gall Bladder surgery complications! Have had Colonoscopy and Endoscopy last week and all is well . Have CT scans and ultra sound and they all show nothing that could be causing my pain . I had. MRCP scan done last week and waiting on results from that . We will see . Sorry I am rambling on . That resection surgery is tough but your stools should level off ...try the Metamucil everyday or better yet ask your doctor about it .
Hope you get better soon !

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mizreehop1896 | @mizreehop1896 | Oct 3, 2020
In reply to @countrygirlquilter "I am only three weeks from sigmoid colon removal. The posts have given me hope that..." + (show)
@countrygirlquilter

I am only three weeks from sigmoid colon removal. The posts have given me hope that things will get better in time. I was wondering if members have found a good plan to cut down on trips to the bathroom. Last night I woke up at least every two hours to use the bathroom and I had two accidents. It’s hard during the day with so many trips, but it is worse at night. I saw a post about Metamucil? What is the regimen for that and I would appreciate any other ideas.

Jump to this post

I have replied to another post as well as this one . I had Sigmoid Colon removal in January . The Metamucil helps me a lot . I take 1 TBS mixed in 8 oz of water everyday . It really helps with the constant bathroom trips ! You will get better it just takes time . When I first had the surgery I was going constantly and had accidents as well ...but the Metamucil really helped me a lot . Dr told me I would have to take it the rest of my life . But it has an orange drink taste so not bad . Hope you get better soon ...I know it is tough😩

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mizreehop1896 | @mizreehop1896 | Oct 3, 2020
In reply to @monicaeve "I guess on a positive note - at least I don’t feel like it’s taking too..." + (show)
@monicaeve

I guess on a positive note - at least I don’t feel like it’s taking too long to recover! Sounds like there’s a long way to go and all this is “normal”. Thanks for responding!!!

Jump to this post

It took me 3 months ...but I am 72 and I didn’t walk as often as I should have because of the pain . So some of it was my own fault . Hope you have a full recovery soon . If I can help please let me know . 😊

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troyhenn22 | @troyhenn22 | Oct 3, 2020

HI i had bowel resection last feb , due to polop found , Never had problems before resection.... ,No 8 months later still sore x pulling in tummy and side , evening x night ,,, i am now going to eat before 6 and see if it helps , i walk everyday hour and drink lots of water , Thank god no issues with bowel toilet use , good luck to you all ,,69 age

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