Sigmoid colectomy for diverticulitis: What's the healing like?

Welcome @dskor. Four weeks is not a very long time after such a major surgery. You can read what some other members have said about the healing process after colon surgery in this related discussion.

- Problems months after colon resection surgery: What Helps? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/three-months-after-colon-surgery/

May I ask what condition led to your needing a colectomy? I'd like to connect you with other patients like you.

Diverticulitis

@dskor, I'm bringing in fellow members like @michaelfromfl @shelfitz @monicaeve @robinmacdonald @jacob73 @thull @mizreehop1896 @ivanmattos who have experience with surgery for diverticulitis.

A couple more weeks have passed since we last chatted. How are you feeling today? How's the recovery going?

I have gone through 4 surgeries and i’m still in pain smh after the resection I developed a rare condition called Omental infarction epiploic appendagitis which I must say I never knew could happen. I pray that after one surgery they remove it completely the pain is terrible. It’s been the worst decision of my life and 1.5 years of my life.

No I suggest you look at epiploic appendagitis fat necrosis is the feeling I have too. Most doctors don’t even know about it. This happens to .01-.03 of people who get this surgery. Blood flow medicine like viagra will help you feel better if you feel better well there’s your answer.

The first 3 weeks are more difficult especially if you are a female and must wear a urinary catheter. It takes about 3 months to feel close to your old normal because there will be a lot of flatulence, diarrhea and constipation and it is not under control. Four months and things return to normal, but even though it is close to normal, you will not get a lot of notice...when you feel the need to eliminate...go immediately. I am feeling much better than before having my surgery.

I didn't need a colostomy bag but there was pain for a while. The pain goes away as your organs start to settle back into the new adjustment. Most important is not to pick up anything with much weight. I am close to five months from surgery, and I feel so much better and have returned to my previous activities. Just pace yourself, it will get much better.

Hi,
I am 67 years old. I had sigmoidectomy surgery where they removed sigmoid colon almost 4 weeks ago. I was diagnosed with diverticulitis 12 years ago. I have not had a many bouts with it up until this past February. Then I was on antibiotics and 5 trips to the ER Constantly for the past 3 1/2 months. Had to push my GI doctor To move up a colonoscopy and have it done at the beginning of April. All the antibiotics were not doing anything. Finally was able to get surgery set up for the beginning of June. . Was told the sigmoid colon that was removed was ‘smoldering’ still infected and showing signs of abscessing. So here I am dealing with recovery. Just wondering if anyone out there through this surgery. How long ago? What were your outcomes? Any input would be appreciated. Thank you so much

Hello @bbarbiee and welcome to Connect. You ask a good question and we have many members on Connect who have had sigmoid surgery and they have posted about their recovery.

Here are links to three discussion groups that you might find helpful,
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/removal-of-sigmoid-colon-due-to-diverticulitus/
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/sigmoid-colectomy/
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/sigmoid-colon-resection-10282019/
Please read through the posts and if you would like to ask any questions or post a comment to any of the members, just click on "Reply" and you can post your question or comment.

I would like to invite @thull, @burlguy, and @jerussia1 to this discussion. They have also had surgeries to deal with diverticulitis and might be able to offer some insight.

As you say that your surgery was about four weeks ago, how are you doing now? Any questions or problems you would like to discuss?

I have been finding out the last week what works and what doesn’t for me. Things seem to be going a little bit better. I stopped the opiate medication and started on Tylenol probably sooner than I should’ve but I did not want to be taking the opiates. Maybe that was my issue with the pain. Still have a little aches and pains here but I have found if I make sure I get up and walk for five times a day for 10 to 20 minutes it has helped relieve a lot of things. I am glad I found this connect site. It’s so nice to connect with people that have been through the same thing. I realize everybody’s experiences are different but you never know when the same things going to come up with somebody else has gone through. Thank you so much for your guidance. I appreciate it I will check out the other posts