Problems months after colon resection surgery: What Helps?

Posted by joyce1 @joyce1, Feb 25, 2017

Three months after colon resection I had a severe stomach cramp this morning and have not had a bowel movement yet. This is the first time this has happened. So far things have been good.

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Profile picture for karina1954 @karina1954

May I ask what are the high fiber diets you eat. Along with my resection I have diabetes and gastroparesis so my diet is totally messed up.
Thanks,
Karina

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I eat a diet pretty much identical to what I ate prior. I have been gluten and wheat free for a long time, so I don’t eat any bread or cereal products with much fiber because the GF varieties are pretty stripped. But I eat salads every night, cucumbers (with skin), brocolli and brussel sproits, green beans (both cooked and raw) apples and berries. I also have a shake daily that does have a lot to superfoods and fiber in it, and protein bars with fiber. I eat all types of protein and the only foods I really avoid or limit are popcorn.

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Thank you and appreciate it. I am just starting to eat some high fiber.

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Profile picture for lisag03 @lisag03

I eat a diet pretty much identical to what I ate prior. I have been gluten and wheat free for a long time, so I don’t eat any bread or cereal products with much fiber because the GF varieties are pretty stripped. But I eat salads every night, cucumbers (with skin), brocolli and brussel sproits, green beans (both cooked and raw) apples and berries. I also have a shake daily that does have a lot to superfoods and fiber in it, and protein bars with fiber. I eat all types of protein and the only foods I really avoid or limit are popcorn.

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Certainly, you are eating healthy foods to achieve optimal results. I agree about popcorn. I tried eating a small amount only once and my body let me know right away it was rebelling and declaring war on my digestive system.

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Profile picture for idkaren @idkaren

I had colon resection..laparoscopic AND open due to adhesions on Jan 4. I thought I was healing great. But now it has been 8 weeks and I have hot pains all across lower abdomen and stabbing pain where surgery was. I just had a THIRD cat scan and they say EVERYTHING looks fine...but I HURT and I BURN. I am SO frustrated!

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I'm having the exact same symptoms. On the 11 weeks into surgery. I'm really nervous. Get to see my oncologist hopefully he may shed some light on this. Good Luck...if not I may go to emg.

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I am eight weeks out from having a sigmoidectomy. No cancer. It was due to having a smoldering area of diverticulitis.
I am trying to venture out and eat more fibrous meals. I don’t think the doctors really understand how it feels to be restricted in your diet and then have to get back into eating normal again.
It’s definitely a one thing at a time and one day at a time thing.
Things taste so good when you’re eating them but sometimes your G.I. tract and colon doesn’t always agree afterwards. So this is where I am. Just trial and error. Looking forward to getting back to eating whatever normal is. After not having nuts or seeds are popcorn for the last 12 years even with my Sigmoid: removed I don’t believe I will ever try to go back to eating any of those. I have been conditioned.
I have been trying to eat salads and dad has been nice. Very nice in fact. A little nervous trying broccoli for the first time. Don’t feel like being gassy. Might put that off for a few more weeks. Hugs to all on here. I’m sure you wouldn’t be on here unless you were seeking answers.

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Profile picture for lorijbq @lorijbq

Doc told me 3 weeks after mine” you can eat whatever you want”. Yeh, wrong!!!!!! I ate eggplant last night and had a severe stomach ache! It’s been 5 weeks post op. I get pains and spasms every day. What makes you feel hasn’t healed???

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I have no idea why these surgeons give this kind of disinformation to their post surgical patients when the nurses in the floor have a COMPLETELY DIFFERENT tale to tell. The surgeon told me I’d be up and at ‘em in THREE weeks post colectomy! It took four months for me to start my daily walks and it is six months now and I still have horrific bowel dysregulation - one day the runs, the next stuck, and now an”balloon” sensation in my lower left where the surgery was.

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My surgeon recommended I tsp Metamucil with 8 oz water in am and 1 Tbsp with 8 oz water after dinner. Mix well. Must try for a few days before things start to solidify and bind up.

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Profile picture for karina1954 @karina1954

Hi Marsct,
I had my surgery for resection in May and going thru the same thing. Quite frustrated 😔

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Same here. Things started getting better but then suddenly stopped working. Laxatives make the sensation of blowing up and about to explode but won’t come out normally. Have to use enemas daily. It’s been SIX months post surgery. They are going to do scope to look at the connection. But have to wait 7 weeks for the appointment. Misery.

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I have days that are better than others. Things go along the new normal then there is a sudden regression in symptoms lasting days or a week. Never got an answer on why or what would make this happen other than use prune juice. Once the surgery and post-op appointment I was told I was "all fine with normal symptoms". Guess what? Your best solution is to see if you can get help from your primary care doctor...the surgeon must have a hold harmless clause, somehow.

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Profile picture for golumpki @golumpki

I have no idea why these surgeons give this kind of disinformation to their post surgical patients when the nurses in the floor have a COMPLETELY DIFFERENT tale to tell. The surgeon told me I’d be up and at ‘em in THREE weeks post colectomy! It took four months for me to start my daily walks and it is six months now and I still have horrific bowel dysregulation - one day the runs, the next stuck, and now an”balloon” sensation in my lower left where the surgery was.

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About 7 months for me and things were not good at all at four months. At three weeks it was horrible. Just because the surgeon declares you are better does not mean your life has better quality. I have the same sensation in the lower left, all the time, the surgeon told me that I could not be having pain there because he removed the Sigmond colon, and it was "sympathy pain reaction". SMH! In other words, my body thinks it hurts but the pain is not real.

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