Sigmoid colon resection: What to expect for recovery?

I am 2 1/2 weeks out from a resection. I too am frustrated with the lack of guidance from the surgeon on what to expect post operatively. I have a telephone consult in 2 weeks. That’s it!
I did post earlier that my pain is all on the right side of my abdomen.

I’m new to this so I’m just learning to navigate this site. Sorry if I’m repeating myself. 🙂

I agree - there isn’t a lot of guidance. I am 6 weeks out and my surgeon told me on Monday that it takes 2-3 months to get back to your baseline. I’m still in pain but certainly not as bad as I was 3 wks out. I hope you recover quickly and sorry you are in pain!

@kathyoung and @monicaeve, it's now 2 weeks later. Are things continuing to improve?

I’ve been getting better every day. I spoke with my surgeon late last week, he told me my pathology came back and there was no cancer or anything nasty. I’ve been taking Fibre One every night and I am now on a “regular” diet. I also take a stool softener every day.
I occasionally get pains that remind me of how it felt when I was having a bout of diverticulitis. That scares me! So far they haven’t to amounted to anything.
Thank you for asking. I hope everyone is staying safe and healing well.

Hello Virgo,

I was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2017. I had colon resection with 12 inches of colon removed. My surgery was performed by the Davinci robot and was a pretty quick recovery. It took a little time for my body to get on a ‘regular’ schedule but have no long lasting effects. Wishing the same for you 🙏🏻

Hello@minabird! Thank you for the well wishes. I have not been on the site to chat regularly for awhile. But, i still receive notifications. I became very involved after my resection surgery 10/2019. I received great advice and more importantly members were nonjudgmental and there was no taking “my inventory” regarding what I wrote. I will always be grateful to the site, it’s mentors, Colleen (hi colleen) and it’s members. I feel I was a good contributor and it was exciting to see the membership for colon cancer grow. I had my follow up colonoscopy last week and it came back clear yay!!! So, there’s no stopping me now 🙂 Happy to hear of your positive outcome and wishing every one going through this now and in the future hope and encouragement. This site should remain a nonjudgemental platform in all aspects. Plainly put, if you don’t have positive thoughts, maybe ask yourself if criticism is necessary. One last thing since I’m here. A shout out to “bandaids”! Hope your surgery went well and you are healing quickly. One of these days, maybe you will change your online name from bandaids to SUPERWOMAN!!!!!! You’ve earned it Take care everybody. Virgo1952

sorness in tummy 12 months after bowel resection for polop

Hi @troyhenn22, I included your post in a discussion that has many members discussing bowel/colon resection so you could connect with them. Did you have discomfort prior to this or did it just occur?

i have some sorness and pulling and tingle in then first 6 months ,, But it was getting better ,Now its ten months and it gets sore and pain around wound area when i sit or lie down sometimes ,,,,,,, not when i walk or stand . comes and goes ,i am not sure if its my diet if i eat something differance if that that problem , thank you

I’m now one year out from my resections, and there are times when I have pain. It always causes me anxiety, but I recently met with a new GI doc and he said that bloating, swelling and aches and pain is to be expected when you’ve had extensive surgery. Adhesions form and pull on things, etc. I try not to worry until the pain is consistent and really uncomfortable (I’ve had an anostkmatic leak, a bowel obstruction (adhesions caused ) and a perforation since my initial tumor removal and resection. Try not to worry but if it gets worse or you just can’t relax, call your surgeon