Problems months after colon resection surgery: What Helps?

Vanessa 89
I have also read all of these comments in this group even more than once. Always trying to gain knowledge of this type of condition that leads to having surgery.
It sounds like you have so much going on. My heart really goes out to you and I want to send you hugs.
I am four weeks out from my sigmoidectomy and it has been filled with ups and downs of the way I feel physically and mentally. The one thing is you need to always be an advocate for yourself. You need to figure out what is best for you when it comes to the type of surgery that you feel that you need. It sounds like yours is stemming from your endometriosis? I am thinking if you try to treat the root cause hopefully everything else will fall into place.
With my surgery I felt like I did not want to go on feeling that constant pain all the time. Depleting my body with all the antibiotics and having nothing work. I am glad I had the surgery but being 67 years old I am frustrated at not recovering as fast as I want.
For years I have been doing spin cycle workouts four mornings a week and that got cut short when I got caught up in all this four months ago. Do you research. Talk to all the doctors and make best decision for you. I wish you luck in your next surgery whatever it may be.

The first one was to remove a cancerous tumor and I had two areas that were resected (one was at the sigmoid and the other was removal of ileocecal valve and appendix ovary etc) so two resections. About 10 days after that initial surgery, I was still hospitalized and feeling very sick. It didn’t get better and my drain was producing fecal material so they opened me back up and there was a leak at theresected site (the one at the ileocecal area) Two months later I developed a small bowel obstruction and it wouldn’t clear so they removed a portion of small bowel. Unbeknownst to any of us, my small bowel was possibly knickers and I developed an enterocutaneous fistula. They couldn’t fix it surgically because I was not strong enough for another procedure so we just waited to see if the bowel would heal. Ultimately it didn’t and the fistula broke loose and perforated my colon. I had emergency surgery and a fourth resection. I developed sepsis and also had a small leak so I was put in full bowel rest for 12 weeks (five of those weeks in the hospital)

I am definitely an unusual case and had lots of set backs. But the only thing that I also good things that happened. I never had to have a colostomy and I am now doing really well. I haven’t had any LARS symptoms and I’m able to eat what I normally was (I eat a lot of fruits and vegetables and a somewhat high fiber diet). I feel like because I have ulcerative colitis, my colon probably was already inflamed. At the time, I felt overwhelmed with everything that went on, but I do feel like it all happened the way it had to. I do still have bloating and I don’t think that will ever go away but compared to a lot of people, my struggle is minimal

Wow! I can’t even imagine all that you have gone through. Thinking of five weeks in the hospital and all the other weeks out of the hospital and that was just with one of your surgeries. You have been through so much.
We sure find out how much stronger we are than we think we were to begin with. I am hopeful when you say that you are back to eating normally. I have been working out for about the last 22 years. First a lot of Zumba, strength training classes and now I have my own stationary bike. We primarily eat fresh fruits and veggies and try to eat very healthy. I do believe all my working out is helping me recover from this as it did two years ago when I had bladder surgery. I am four weeks out and I actually sat on my bike and peddled super slow for 20 minutes. I was pretty proud of myself. I know it will take a while and I have to make sure I not use my core much. But I feel mentally better when I’m trying to get some kind of exercise. Three weeks leading up to my surgery I was doing just arm exercises because I was so afraid to get some kind of flareup. I was on antibiotics about every two or three weeks since the middle of February. My body is totally depleted but I am working my way back. Still on a low fiber diet since it’s only been four weeks. Hard to get in my brain that that bad area is out I am trying to get plumbing to work correctly if you know what I mean. Arm exercises helped a lot after my surgery trying to pull up my bottom half out of bed. So I’m glad I did it. Stay strong and I hope things continue going well for you. You are an inspiration!

Three months after doing right hemicollectomy procedure I stii have pinchy tug in my right side.
Also why am I having severe right shoulder pain and how will I sort these out

I am not familiar with a right hemicollectomy procedure. What exactly is that? I had a sigmoidectomy due to diverticulitis. I am only four weeks post surgery. I am experiencing little twinges, tugs and pulling type of pains inside but I’m assuming that is part of the healing process. Walking and moving around a lot seems to help them. The recovering sucks!

Hang in there, everyday it does get better. Don't measure your situation by projecting what has not happened, yet, or what occurred in different circumstances to others. They don't necessarily apply to your own situation or progress. One thing that did seem to help is that I forced myself to walk around the house every few minutes and returned to easy activities. It raised my expectations and diverted my suffering. Baby steps, like doing the smallest of tasks i.e., emptying the dishwasher even if it takes you twice the time as before. Four or five months from now you will be doing things you can't do right now, and you will feel empowered as you improve.

Lisag03
Thank you for the encouragement. I have been doing what you said. I started about weak to just walking around my backyard for 10 minutes and trying to do that for five times a day. I found that that helped better than just hanging out on the couch watching TV. I have been pushing myself a little bit more but then my body lets me know when I need to rest. I know things will get better but I am impatient. Lol good to be impatient when recovering from surgery I know. As you know a little bit of encouragement goes along way. But it definitely helps getting up and getting moving. Thank you for your kind comments. And hope you are in a good place right now.

Hi there! I’m a 50 year old mom of 2 teenagers - I too work for a big tech company. Week 3 post partial colectomy - so hard to put everything aside (work, family, etc) and focus on yourself but I think you’re making the right decisions. You won’t be any help to others if you aren’t taking care of you of you! Good Luck - sending you love and a speedy recovery.

Two and half year i had bowel resection ,,,, tummy. still tender and big ,,

Sally, would it be possible for you to give me some suggestions on your diet. Going on 3 months since my resection and I'm nervous about venturing into solid foods. I have been on a low fiber diet since surgery and eating everything white, whereas I only ate wheat bread, rice etc. So, this low fiber has really messed up my diabetes. Would appreciate any suggestions.
Thanks very much,
Karina