After colon resection: What helps with severe gas?

Karina1954
Hello I am nine weeks out from having a sigmoidectomy. I guess that would be pretty much the same? I have not had trouble with gas but when I had bladder surgery two years ago I had a lot of trouble with gas. I found myself walking around a lot just to get things moving around and I also took Gas-X. I take a stool softener a.m. and p.m. and I am trying to wean myself off of the laxative that I have been taking a.m. and p.m. I had the complete sigmoid colon removed due to a smoldering area of diverticulitis. Are you having regular BMs? I wonder if that is why you are having such bad gas if you are not able to go. It sounds like you’re in a lot of pain. Have you spoken with your doctor? Maybe your doctor can prescribe some thing for relief. Recovering from surgery is never easy but I hope you get some relief from the pain that you are in. Just one day at a time is my motto. Just hoping no new symptoms start up. Hang in there.

Thank you so much. I go from constipation to diarrhea and that's when I get gas.. I take gas x helps some. I'm guessing that these kinda surgeries have this effect on the stomach, as you said one day at a time. Thanks again and cheers..

Hi Karina, you got some great tips from @bbarbiee. I'm also tagging fellow members @wifemom3 @virgo1952 @lisag03 @lsdd13 @1943 @katytexas to see if they have further thoughts about gas post colon resection.

How are things now that a couple more weeks have passed? Have you been able to regulate your bowel movements to reduce the extreme fluctuation between constipation and diarrhea?

Hi Colleen,
Thanks for your reply. Yes, it's getting a bit better..of course still in the midst of reacting what foods cause the gas and learning to eat the right meals. Once again thank you.

Karina

Hi colon resectioners and other colon adventurers! Gas…. We all know about gas. I think it’s a given that along our colon journey, we will encounter our bodies adjusting to our “new” normal. I definitely recommend some type of gas relief. Lots of otc choices. I remember after my re-section surgery, I had some painful moments. I think gas created pressure on my incision, thus the pain. You should get some relief when using gas-x, etc. if not, check in with your doctor. I started making food choices that were easy for me to digest. It’s pretty much trial and error for each of us. I will say having gas (within reason) is our body’s way of saying “I’m working here!” That’s a good thing. The back and forth between constipation and loose bowel maybe due to a medication you maybe taking. Make sure you are getting those good microorganisms (pro and prebiotics) so you have a good working digestion. Kefir is what I drank, but if that is not palatable, there are other avenues. I think our bodies take a punishment with all this, so we have to re-establish good digestion and absorption of food. It’s a journey…. Virgo 52

I’m meeting with a GI dietician in the AM.
Want to discuss if a Liw Fodmap diet really helps.
Has anyone done this diet!

That's a good question to ask a GI dietician, @ladd13.

Here's some info from Mayo experts that may give you more info about the FODMAP diet so that you know what questions to ask:
- What exactly is the FODMAP diet? Dr. Wang explains https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/gastroenterology-and-gi-surgery/newsfeed-post/what-exactly-is-the-fodmap-diet-dr-wang-explains/
- A Map for the FODMAP Diet https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/gastroenterology-and-gi-surgery/newsfeed-post/a-map-for-the-fodmap-diet/

Additionally, here's a related discussion where members are talking about
- Fodmap Eating Plan https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/fodmap-eating-plan/

Please let us know what you learn about gas after colon resection and the FODMAP diet.

I have Diabetes II and gastroparesis along with the Colon resection...trying to balance what you can eat for this without messing with that it's just trying to work out all the the kinks. I know one of these days I'm gonna get it right 😄😄. Thank you all for your encouraging advice and support. Look forward to reading it all. Take care.

Hi,

I am one week post sigmoidectomy with a stoma. I'm currently eating soup, crackers & gatorade. However, an hour after I eat, I get these horrible cramping gas pains that last about 10 minutes. Is this normal after this procedure? If so, is there any way to alleviate it? I want to be able to eat more things but the cramping pains after I eat are horrible...

Hi,
Yes, gas is normal. Walking a lot helps. Gatorade has a lot of chemicals and sugar which can upset gas as well. Try drinking tea instead. But, I'm always happy with gas since it means I do not have a blockage. It'll get better. Hope you have a nice weekend.