Sigmoid colon resection: What to expect for recovery?

It is life altering for a while, it is all in the timing/scheduling/learn as you go. You will get to where there is a noticeable cycle related to the food and timing. I found that popcorn and gassy vegetables throw the timing off, but it is different for everyone it seems. Cantaloupe turned out to be a big mistake, for me. For a while I did use an anti-gas OTC and sometimes prune juice...depending on how everything was changing. 7 months now and in hindsight returning to my pre-surgery activities as soon as possible really helped more than anything. I mostly eat a lot of protein and some carbs.

@jodiepage This is what makes every person’s journey their own. Finding what works for “you”. Some return to life as it was before their diagnosis. Others, find their “new” normal. There is a hospital located in my town that addresses colon cancer, but there is no education dealing with ongoing issues. Maybe, this is why? How do you present a “blanket’ plan for this? I still think education is needed, now more than ever. So, I am committed to push for this to happen here. Not everyone will reach out to this site (I share info about this group). Again, making it an individual choice. Thank u for sharing what happened to you and your journey. virgo 52

Great to hear that you are taking a positive step to address and share the actual issues that occur. It is not a one size fits everybody but a gradual process of healing and dealing with the changes. Certainly, so many will appreciate the great anxiety and stress involved as well as the experiences and side effects after the surgery. The group will help so many.

I now have short fiber neuropathy with numb feet and lower legs. Had sigmoid resection four years ago when a rupture required emergency surgery.

Hello everyone. I had my 1st colonoscopy 3 weeks ago (57yrs) and they found a non obstructing mass not too far in is the best I can describe it. the pathology came back as pre cancerous so I had a robotic assisted colon resection. This took place 3 days ago. The surgeon I feel was very informative regarding what he was going to do, I actually had a crowd of people talking to me while getting prepped for the procedure, it was very impressive. So the surgery took place at 10am. I was admitted afterwards then at 6am the next morning the surgeon arrived and told me that I had extremely defined stomach muscles that he had never experienced before and that it was a little difficult to get past them. I apologize for taking so long. My concern is this, I was released to go home that afternoon as long as I could function completely, urinate, pass gas, bowel movement and able to walk unassisted. I was all good. Now that I have been home I experienced an extreme burning type pain in my right side groin area when I am trying to sit or stand up. Pain meds dont even knock the edge off of it. It does stop a soon as Im either sitting or standing. Is it because of the muscles being cut or ? I feel sore in the rest of my stomach near the inscissions but it's nothing compared the sharp burning in the groin!! I keep reading everyone is having a long recovery process and I hope everyone gets better. I think I everything is good but that sharp pain scares the hell out of me. I apologize again, I really need to get this out. Thanks anyone that has read this far! As I said I received a lot of info going in but not much of what to expect afterwards about recovery. Has anyone had a moderate to short recovery period with this kind of surgery?

I'm so grateful to have found this group.

I'm a 70 years young male and had a colon resection 7 weeks ago (7.19.22), elective surgery, to prevent the worsening of my diverticulitis. I've seen my surgeon 3 times since then and she's pleased that the surgery went well, with only a part of the main incision that is taking longer to heal than expected but is progressing under her care.

But I am now almost constantly feeling pressure in the perineum for a bowel movement, but at times very little comes out. At other times the pressure seems warranted because the bowel movement is larger. This is happening throughout the night as well, even if my last meal is eaten around 5 or 6pm. It's frustrating, now, to say the least.

I'm trying to control food volume intake as well as what I eat. But at this point it doesn't seem to make too much of a difference, no matter what I try. At times I eat a little more, other times less, more fiber, less fiber, more protein, less protein, etc., even at times to the point of eating very little during a day, just to try to stop the pressure and gas pain feelings so I can at least get some rest.

I've appreciated the suggestions from others here as to how to deal with pain from gas build-up, and some seem to help. I'm walking 30 minutes a day. GasX doesn't work for me. And previously the gas pains were very sharp and yet I wasn't able to relieve them at times even though the pain to release was there.

My surgeon says, as do many of you, that it is going to take time, and everyone is different, and I agree. But to live with a constant pressure that ebbs and flows but never stops is discouraging. It never was that way before, for my entire life (I know, my body has been through the wringer). I even try Tylenol, but that hasn't worked well as pain management, either.

I also try Miralax, Colace, Senocot, etc., to fend off constipation.

I know 7 weeks is nothing when it comes to recovering from this major surgery. But even if I could take a stronger pain reliever, it seems like it could help.

I continue to focus on healing, with lots of patience, but my reserve is dwindling. But at least I know I'm not alone in dealing with this, thanks to all of you who have gone/are going through this, too.

And I agree whole heartedly that more could/should be done to guide post-op patients through the challenges that arise soon after the surgery ends. Surgeons do what they are best at, and most do it well. But "it just takes time," while true, isn't helpful when at this point I'm just trying to eat to live, with less pain; forget living to eat. That part is gone for now. Apart from the ongoing improvements to the surgery, (for which i am thankful), it seems like this is a major area for serious research and study that has yet to be addressed.

Sending healing and wellness thoughts and prayers for all of you. And thanks to this Mayo Connect service; psychologically and physically, it has been a huge help for me.

Wayne

Hello
I am 67 year young female. 13 weeks ago I had my sigmoid colon removed due to smoldering diverticulitis that never healed. Every 2 weeks on Flagyl and bactrim since the middle of February 2022. Even when they did the pathology on the part they took out, it still showed is infected and abscesses. Surgery was my only chance of getting my life back.
I have always been very active in exercising and going to the gym. And last two years working out virtually. Now that I am 13 weeks out from my surgery I am actually starting to feel some relief. Still trying to get my G.I. tract and below working correctly. I take a Docusate a.m. and p.m. and switched from senna twice a day to miralax every other night. I try to give my body a good week or two once I make a change to see how it excepts the change. It seems to be working for me. Still live with the mental trauma of not wanting to get constipated. Even though that area is out of me, I live with the worry of getting constipated and getting a flareup. My G.I. doctor said that would never happen. But it is hard to mentally get over that. I am slowly getting into eating a lot more things but stay away from anything that could make me gassy. I will have to say the weeks before this were pretty rough. Still feel twinges here and there inside. Not sure what’s going on but I guess it’s just stretching from nerves and such. I am still glad I got the surgery because at least that gives me a chance of being able to live a life without being afraid and feeling sick all the time. I have read many of the posts and many people have posted recovery of four months up to two years. It is an individual thing. Everybody will recover at a different rate and have different underlying issues that they might be dealing with. I appreciate everybody who posts about their journey because I believe you can never have too much knowledge. So many times you have to be your own doctor. And try not to be too impatient which I have so much of the time during this journey. As I have found things do get better. Not in my time but in the time that my body feels is time. Hang in there as I am still doing. Hopefully things just continue getting better. But keep that patience right where you need it. Hugs to all!

I had this surgery in May 2022. Do not have normal bowel movements. Sometimes urgency. Only defecate small amounts (nugget-like size) throughout the day. Anyone else?

Hi, I’m 66 yes old just had the takedown after having a colostomy for 8 mos due to diverticulitis. I had my surgery last week on 9/6/22 my entire sigmoid colon was removed plus more of my colon. My surgeon was able to reconnect me no iliostomy. I’m having multiple bm’s a day and am only eating a very soft diet. I have 1 drain left plus my staples. I’m managing the pain but it isn’t so easy yet. I too am looking for feedback on people who have gone through this surgery and what to expect as far as a time line and eating normally again if that’s even an option.

I am 71 had partial
colectomy due to diverticular disease and surgeon said it was “textbook” laparascopic surgery but bowel has not normalized. In fact it stopped working completely - unless I keep it liquid with prune juice since no Restoralax or fibre moves things it only builds things up so that I am about to explode. I have to do enemas daily. I suspect nerve damage and that I will need more surgery and the bag. Same happened to my Mom.