Stomach like a beer belly after colon cancer surgery

Posted by nannytart @nannytart, Sep 8, 2016

in november i had 12" of my colon removed.my stomach is like a beer belly. is this normal

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Colorectal Cancer Support Group.

@robinmacdonald

I also have to eat less and have problems with fibrous foods, like beef or stringy chicken. Ground beef is Ok. I was down to 112 lbs. after surgery and am now up to about 123, which is a good weight for my 5’4” frame. I have been told that my extended stomach could be due to gas trapped while my colon is still recovering to normal since my 2/4/21 colon resection surgery for diverticulitis. It is slowly getting better, as is the frequency, shape and consistency of my stool. Also, the physical therapist to which my Cedars surgeon referred me has said it is most likely scar tissue (adhesions) making my stomach look swollen, which will soften with time. She has me massaging my colon with a gel twice a day for 5 minutes. And increasing my Kegel exercises to help my rectum evacuate properly. The colon runs in an upside down U, up from near the right hip, across under the ribs and the down near the left hip. I also massage the middle of my tummy where the robot pulled out the diseased section. I had laparoscopic robotic surgery.
Yes, let us know what your surgeon says. My physical therapist told me every colorectal surgeon she speaks to says it takes at least a year following surgery for the colon to function normally.

Jump to this post

Been two for me and still working on it. Never heard the Kegel suggestion but definitely do the belly rub out of intuition it helps. All my best to you. Walking does help me now that my diarrhea is somewhat under control.

REPLY
@sderose

Been two for me and still working on it. Never heard the Kegel suggestion but definitely do the belly rub out of intuition it helps. All my best to you. Walking does help me now that my diarrhea is somewhat under control.

Jump to this post

Interesting comment and reply. Please can you tell me more as soon as you can. My spouse has the same issues and we will try what you recommend what massage for the colon do you do. How is it done and what gel used. Give me as much detail as you can as it will help me to advise. Thanks yiannis

REPLY
@sderose

Been two for me and still working on it. Never heard the Kegel suggestion but definitely do the belly rub out of intuition it helps. All my best to you. Walking does help me now that my diarrhea is somewhat under control.

Jump to this post

Hi. I am glad you are working to get better. If you have the diarrhea under control in two months, you are doing much better than I did. I am at 11 months since my colon resection for diverticulitis and things finally seem to be settling down. My distended stomach is getting flatter and I am down from 6 or more bowel movements in a 24 hour period to about three. And they are more well formed. Sure taking a long time. I actually experimented with stopping pro/prebiotics (Culturelle) and Benefiber. I had read that the pro and prebiotics are not always the best for IBS, which I have had a long time and which my doctor said could have been exacerbated by the surgery. Now I take just 1/2 teaspoon of psyllium husk powder in water and a couple of enzyme capsules with meals. Those changes made a big difference in the frequency and consistency of my bowel movements.
And I have not had any pain for several months, except once in a while when I eat or drink the wrong thing and create gas. I only drink decaffeinated coffee and tea and upon the advice of my doctor, avoid lactose. There are a lot of lactose free products out there.. milk, cottage cheese, sour cream, etc. and it no longer has to be oat or almond based. Aged cheeses like Parmesan and Gouda are naturally low in lactose.

REPLY

I had left side colon resection due to diverticulitis four weeks ago. I’ve had painful gas every day. At first I had loose stools, now they are formed. The problem is I go so frequently and my rectum has started to hurt. Also the left upper abdomen in the splenic flexture area is always in pain.one of the punch holes from LAP surgery hasn’t healed yet as well Does it get better? I don’t see my surgeon for two more weeks. The stress of this makes me regret my decision.

REPLY
@vjs

I had left side colon resection due to diverticulitis four weeks ago. I’ve had painful gas every day. At first I had loose stools, now they are formed. The problem is I go so frequently and my rectum has started to hurt. Also the left upper abdomen in the splenic flexture area is always in pain.one of the punch holes from LAP surgery hasn’t healed yet as well Does it get better? I don’t see my surgeon for two more weeks. The stress of this makes me regret my decision.

Jump to this post

Pain in rectum four weeks after colon resection. Is this normal?

REPLY

I had colon re-section surgery 6 months ago for complicated diverticulitis. I spent 2 separate times in the hospital due to ruptures in my colon from this disease. The doctor recommended this surgery to remove the diseased part of my colon and said I should never have any more problems with this. I have had pain on and off since the surgery. Its always on the left side where they did the surgery to remove that bad section of my colon. I have gone back to the doctor and told him of my pain. He ordered a ct scan just to make sure all was okay. It was okay and he said he saw nothing out of the ordinary. That was back latter part of last year. I continue to have pain and my stomach bloats up and its real sore on the left side. It passes after about 20 minutes or so. I am just wondering if I am going to have to endure pain for the rest of my life.
I do not understand why I keep having pain.
pbh

REPLY
@pbh

I had colon re-section surgery 6 months ago for complicated diverticulitis. I spent 2 separate times in the hospital due to ruptures in my colon from this disease. The doctor recommended this surgery to remove the diseased part of my colon and said I should never have any more problems with this. I have had pain on and off since the surgery. Its always on the left side where they did the surgery to remove that bad section of my colon. I have gone back to the doctor and told him of my pain. He ordered a ct scan just to make sure all was okay. It was okay and he said he saw nothing out of the ordinary. That was back latter part of last year. I continue to have pain and my stomach bloats up and its real sore on the left side. It passes after about 20 minutes or so. I am just wondering if I am going to have to endure pain for the rest of my life.
I do not understand why I keep having pain.
pbh

Jump to this post

I have yet to find out why my belly is so bloated. I also had surgery 6 months ago as a result of diverticulosis.
I was tested for SIBO but that’s negative .
Has anyone had any luck reducing their belly size?

REPLY
@lsdd13

I have yet to find out why my belly is so bloated. I also had surgery 6 months ago as a result of diverticulosis.
I was tested for SIBO but that’s negative .
Has anyone had any luck reducing their belly size?

Jump to this post

I had a friend with a bulging stomach. It was drained by a doctor as it contained a lot of liquid. Cancer was also Dx, stage 4 at this time in his colon. Later exploratory surgery indicated cancer in the appendix which is very hard to Dx w/o surgery. I would get a doctor for a 2nd opinion. Hopefully your condition is not this, but cancer sometimes has no direct symptoms. You may want to consider getting one of the cancer tests available for home use. It can be other things besides cancer, of course. I would also check diet/supplements for folic acid (a man made substitute for vitamin B9). You are in my prayers, Sister Marie

REPLY
@lsdd13

I have yet to find out why my belly is so bloated. I also had surgery 6 months ago as a result of diverticulosis.
I was tested for SIBO but that’s negative .
Has anyone had any luck reducing their belly size?

Jump to this post

Some people just take longer to have swelling go down but it also could be a hernia

REPLY
@lisag03

Some people just take longer to have swelling go down but it also could be a hernia

Jump to this post

Thank you..I’ll check that out

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.