1. < Colorectal Cancer

Sigmoid colon resection: What to expect for recovery?

Posted by virgo1952 @virgo1952, Dec 1, 2019

It’s been 4+weeks since my resection. Found a cancerous polyp during a routine screening. Some frustration over the lack of information given by the surgeon as to what to expect afterwards. Late 60’s so I know the healing will take time. Mostly, struggling with bowel urgency/frequency and experiencing stomach pain from gas (pretty sure) is three months s realistic time frame for returning to “normal”? I’ve seen some posts that talk about two years? No further treatment so I was lucky. If anyone has had this surgery and went through or is going through the healing process, I would love to hear from you. Just kind of out there.

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jodiepage | @jodiepage | Sep 20, 2022
In reply to @leslieroberta "Thank you so very much. I will let you know how tomorrow goes. I know my..." + (show)
@leslieroberta

Thank you so very much. I will let you know how tomorrow goes. I know my staples will be removed however, I don’t think she’ll remove my drain because I’m still draining quite a bit. It’s ok I’m already feeling so much better and I know over the course of the coming weeks and months I’ll get much better. Leslie

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Sending positive thoughts that your staples and drains were removed.

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leslieroberta | @leslieroberta | Sep 20, 2022
In reply to @jodiepage "Sending positive thoughts that your staples and drains were removed." + (show)
@jodiepage

Sending positive thoughts that your staples and drains were removed.

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Hi,
Today my staples were removed but the drain must stay in for at least another week maybe 10 days. It’s ok. I’m still draining quite a bit and I had an abscess, fistula and infection So, that being said, I’ll wait as long as necessary for this drain to be removed. I’ll see my surgeon again in a couple of weeks. Thanks Jodi for all the positive thoughts and vibes. Leslie

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jodiepage | @jodiepage | Sep 20, 2022

You will start to feel improvement when all the hardware is removed, & the infections clear up. Things will change and one day soon you will realize "hey, I am feeling stronger, today". Everything improves quickly once your body finishes healing from the surgery/setbacks. The first 4 to 6 weeks is difficult. Just listen to the way you feel, your doctors and rest. It is not a race but a gradual process. The doctors have probably told you not to lift anything, pay attention to the no lifting advice.

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ppat4pr | @ppat4pr | Sep 21, 2022
In reply to @ppat4pr "Thank you for this post. I am very concerned that I only have very small bowel..." + (show)
@ppat4pr

Thank you for this post. I am very concerned that I only have very small bowel movements. Will try fiber (Metamucil) & at least 64 oz. Hydration daily. My surgery was 4 months ago; going for MRI.

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Thank you for the hugs.

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karina1954 | @karina1954 | Sep 22, 2022

I had my surgery in May and I'm starting to feel a bit better going on 4+mths. I still have issues with my bowels and gas but not as bad. Just also started getting my appetite back...feel a whole lot stronger. Don't get me wrong my days ☺️ better then worse. Hang in there and good luck as we all need it ☺️

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music5052 | @music5052 | Sep 25, 2022
In reply to @kathyoung "I’ve been getting better every day. I spoke with my surgeon late last week, he told..." + (show)
@kathyoung

I’ve been getting better every day. I spoke with my surgeon late last week, he told me my pathology came back and there was no cancer or anything nasty. I’ve been taking Fibre One every night and I am now on a “regular” diet. I also take a stool softener every day.
I occasionally get pains that remind me of how it felt when I was having a bout of diverticulitis. That scares me! So far they haven’t to amounted to anything.
Thank you for asking. I hope everyone is staying safe and healing well.

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I too have bouts of pain at times that feel like my bouts of diverticulitis felt. I am two months and one week following my surgery. Hoping mine don't amount to anything either.

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shelamac65 | @shelamac65 | Oct 18, 2022
In reply to @mweisslasvegas "Hello everyone. I had my 1st colonoscopy 3 weeks ago (57yrs) and they found a non..." + (show)
@mweisslasvegas

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?

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I certainly thought your situation needed a longer explanation so I didn’t mind reading it through at all. I had my sigmoid colon removed , a resection ( basically 25% of my colon. No cancer, thankfully. Yes I left 2 days after surgery as well. Surprised by that but the medical staff believes you heal faster at home.
My pain is near or below my incision especially when I sneeze, cough., lift heavy objects. Frustrating but a CT Scan showed nothing alarming. I thought I had a hernia, not sure that I don’t. I’m tolerating a regular diet well, but small meals are best, my surgery was 5 months ago, not 100% yet but I’m walking more, trying to exercise. Hang in there! It’s a journey!

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bernedoodlebailey | @bernedoodlebailey | Oct 19, 2022

Hi. I’m so glad I found this site. I’m seeing a surgeon next week for sigmoid removal and re/section. My colonoscopy today was aborted due to edema. In my report it stated “ middle of stricture with blanched mucosa” along with pics. I have no idea what that means! I was a assuming this surgery would relieve my symptoms. After reading these posts I’m doubtful it will…ugh.

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Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Oct 24, 2022
In reply to @apinzonc0627 "Yo fui operado con una resección del Colon Sigmoide, en Enero de este año, me encontraron..." + (show)
@apinzonc0627

Yo fui operado con una resección del Colon Sigmoide, en Enero de este año, me encontraron un pólipo que se me reventó canceroso, gracias a Dios ,he tenido un excelente recuperación y tengo una vida normal , no tuve la necesidad de ningún tratamiento hasta hora solo control y todo marcha excelente.

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Hello @apinzonc0627 and welcome to Mayo Connect. I am sorry that
I did not see your posts earlier. I am glad that your surgery and recovery were so successful.

Generally, after finding a polyp there are follow-up exams. Has your doctor given you a schedule for follow-ups?

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jodiepage | @jodiepage | Oct 24, 2022
In reply to @leslieroberta "Hi, I’m 66 and had a reversal 11 days ago. Overall, I’m doing well but I’m..." + (show)
@leslieroberta

Hi,
I’m 66 and had a reversal 11 days ago. Overall, I’m doing well but I’m having several bowl movements a day which is inconvenient and rectally painful. I’m still eating soft foods as I haven’t even had my 8 week post-op visit yet. My sigmoid colon was completely removed as well as part of my colon so I’m wondering if the much shorter colon will cause permanent BM’s on a daily basis. Has anyone experienced this?

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I had similar reactions, and it is frustrating. At 2 1/2 months life and my confidence to go out and be more independent (with reservation and knowing the location of the bathroom) helped me started to return to normal. By then I seemed to have a better grasp on scheduling and the foods tolerated. Four months and suddenly everything seemed to get much better rapidly.

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