Hemicolectomy: Experiencing spasms and muscle cramps, why?

I had bowel reconstruction surgery 8.5 weeks ago and i am still having a ton of abdominal pain. A ton of pressure and horrible tightness in my abdomen. How long should I wait before reaching out to my surgeon? Any one have these issues?

Hi @tpetrin, welcome. I moved your two posts into one discussion. Am I understanding correctly that you have a hemicolectomy 18 months ago and just 8.5 weeks ago you had a second surgery to reconstruct the bowel?

@durelle @lillyann @benett2021 @virgo1952 may be able to share their experiences with you.

Tpetrin, you state that you have a lot of abdominal pain, pressure and tightness and wonder if you should report them to your surgeon. I think they should be told. Better safe than sorry. Do you have a contact number that you can call? When is your surgery follow-up?

Hi Colleen, I think these are two different posts from two different persons.

I definitely suggest calling the surgeon. You have to be your best advocate. I had a cecal volvulus and a right hemicolectomy in November 2021. 2 weeks later I was released from all restrictions and told I could go back on a regular diet. I felt good then but soon, I felt pain and pressure. I was hoping it was just healing pains but in a week, I was back in the hospital with a small bowel blockage. My journey has been a struggle. 3 different doctors and being told there is nothing wrong to suggesting a complete colon removal. I researched how to prevent another bowel blockage and restrict my diet to easily digestible foods plus natural supplements. It is a long journey but you have to stay on top of it. Please push for the best care you can find. Research as much as you can. A friend of mine has had 3 reconstructive surgeries now. My best advice is daily food logs and eliminate hard to digest foods. Keep in touch. I'm praying for you.

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your story. I had a lot of complications so after my 7 day hospital recovery I was actually told 6weeks and they had me out for 8 weeks. My surgeon told me a week ago if it is still the same in a few weeks he is going to run tests. But he also said if it gets worse to call sooner. It is so hard to describe the feeling. But feels like my incision is trying to pull open with sharp and spasm pains on and off. I think i will give it a few days and call.
I wish you well and pray for your recovery.
Thank you!

I can relate to the sharp pain and spasms. I understand. Sometimes it feels like pulled stitches and the spasms feel like labor pains. I am so sorry. I can usually tell what causes the pain by examining what I ate the day before. Oatmeal, pineapple, cabbage, olives and even lettuce cause severe pain for me. I recently tried steak twice and that didn't work for me. My diet mainly is yogurt, eggs, chicken, fruit smoothies with chia seeds, protein powder and almond milk. I've recently been having muscle spasms and bloodwork showed that I was low on sodium and electrolytes. I'm working on that now. It is a learning experience. I read as much as I could on right hemicolectomy and it sounds like the majority continue to have bowel issues without a diagnosis. Don't give up. Sounds like you have a good doctor.

Isn’t it strange. I had right hemicolectomy and always was very uncomfortable on the right hand side. I am just seven weeks out but find I do get cramps pain if I sit for example in the theatre or movies. I find getting up and walking for five Minutes or so to help. Not always convenient though.

I can relate although my experience is a bit different. I had a right hemicolectomy 3 months ago. I was in the hospital 2 weeks and then I went to rehap for 3 weeks because I'm severely underweight they felt I needed to get strength back before going home. I stayed on the low fiber diet completely for 2 and half months. I have just started trying other things gradually. I never had pain in my right side before a few days ago. Now just at the waistline and below have a constant pain and then short quick spasms that feel like it's being tied into tight knots. Not sure why. I have completely loose bowels and usually have several a day. Don't know why I suddenly have this pain but it's there

Sorry pain is on the left side not the right.

I was in Hospital four days went homE and started normal diet more or less straight away being sensible of course. Constipation always a problem until my surgeon suggested Meta Mucil which I take twice a day. Problem solved. If I dont eat at normal mealtimes eg brekky lunch and dinner my tummy does tend to go haywire and discomfort follows. Wish you well.
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