1. < Colorectal Cancer

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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brenda57 | @brenda57 | Dec 1, 2022

Yes,I am learning what foods hurt my belly and I know not to be too far from a bathroom.

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lucy155 | @lucy155 | Dec 4, 2022
In reply to @bbarbiee "I am eight weeks out from having a sigmoidectomy. No cancer. It was due to having..." + (show)
@bbarbiee

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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I can relate to "tasting so good" going down, but the next hours are hell. I am struggling with self-discipline when it comes to eating. December 14th I will have my sigmoid removed, 10 days. I'm praying for a good outcome.

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martin77 | @martin77 | Dec 5, 2022

Experimentation seems to be the best way forward after a colon operation. I'm 77 and had a colorectal resection a month ago to remove a tumour along with 10" of colon and was a bit nervous at first about what to eat, not wishing to stretch the new joints in the pipeline. But on the whole I've been pleasantly surprised at how easy it has been - some initial diarrhoea / constipation but a mild laxative cured the latter and now I'm eating like a horse again with lots of boiled / mashed potatoes, pasta, noodles, green leafy vegetables, carrots, fish, chicken, tomato juice, muesli and bio yoghurt. I've cut back on red meat and alcohol. So plain food on the whole although I did have a South Indian curry and a beer a couple of days ago, with no after effects! This diet seems to work quite well for me and I hope for others too.
I think plenty of exercise helps - my target is 5,000 steps per day but I only achieved that 3 times over the past week.

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2 replies
amariewilkinson | @amariewilkinson | Dec 5, 2022

I had a total rectal resection last year (over a year ago). I’m very narrowed in the rectum but have been able to have bowel movements due to high fiber diets and lots of liquids. Up until I had a colonoscopy and lower EUS for a recheck and now I’m having trouble getting stool through. Has anyone experienced this? I’ve never had issues with constipation. Always opposite but can’t figure out if it’s swelling due to the procedure or what…? Help!

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2 replies
cnso | @cnso | Dec 6, 2022

I had surgery in October of 2014. I am still here to tell the story! Thankfully I had a wonderful care team of Doctors and Nurses. I was 51 years old when I was diagnosed and I had my 59th birthday this past May. If you or your brother need to talk or have any questions, let me know. I am always happy to help people. I was in fear back then as well, so I get how he is feeling.

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cnso | @cnso | Dec 6, 2022
In reply to @amariewilkinson "I had a total rectal resection last year (over a year ago). I’m very narrowed in..." + (show)
@amariewilkinson

I had a total rectal resection last year (over a year ago). I’m very narrowed in the rectum but have been able to have bowel movements due to high fiber diets and lots of liquids. Up until I had a colonoscopy and lower EUS for a recheck and now I’m having trouble getting stool through. Has anyone experienced this? I’ve never had issues with constipation. Always opposite but can’t figure out if it’s swelling due to the procedure or what…? Help!

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I am sorry you are having trouble. Have you spoken with the doctor that did your recheck? I would definitely mention it to them and see if they can help. Are you in any pain?

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cnso | @cnso | Dec 6, 2022
In reply to @martin77 "Experimentation seems to be the best way forward after a colon operation. I'm 77 and had..." + (show)
@martin77

Experimentation seems to be the best way forward after a colon operation. I'm 77 and had a colorectal resection a month ago to remove a tumour along with 10" of colon and was a bit nervous at first about what to eat, not wishing to stretch the new joints in the pipeline. But on the whole I've been pleasantly surprised at how easy it has been - some initial diarrhoea / constipation but a mild laxative cured the latter and now I'm eating like a horse again with lots of boiled / mashed potatoes, pasta, noodles, green leafy vegetables, carrots, fish, chicken, tomato juice, muesli and bio yoghurt. I've cut back on red meat and alcohol. So plain food on the whole although I did have a South Indian curry and a beer a couple of days ago, with no after effects! This diet seems to work quite well for me and I hope for others too.
I think plenty of exercise helps - my target is 5,000 steps per day but I only achieved that 3 times over the past week.

Jump to this post

Glad to hear you are doing so well.

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lucy155 | @lucy155 | Dec 6, 2022
In reply to @martin77 "Experimentation seems to be the best way forward after a colon operation. I'm 77 and had..." + (show)
@martin77

Experimentation seems to be the best way forward after a colon operation. I'm 77 and had a colorectal resection a month ago to remove a tumour along with 10" of colon and was a bit nervous at first about what to eat, not wishing to stretch the new joints in the pipeline. But on the whole I've been pleasantly surprised at how easy it has been - some initial diarrhoea / constipation but a mild laxative cured the latter and now I'm eating like a horse again with lots of boiled / mashed potatoes, pasta, noodles, green leafy vegetables, carrots, fish, chicken, tomato juice, muesli and bio yoghurt. I've cut back on red meat and alcohol. So plain food on the whole although I did have a South Indian curry and a beer a couple of days ago, with no after effects! This diet seems to work quite well for me and I hope for others too.
I think plenty of exercise helps - my target is 5,000 steps per day but I only achieved that 3 times over the past week.

Jump to this post

Excellent information! Just what I was looking for... "hope" that there can be "eating" in the recovery short term that will get better with time. Thank you so much for the list of YOUR ok foods.

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1 reply
martin77 | @martin77 | Dec 6, 2022
In reply to @lucy155 "Excellent information! Just what I was looking for... "hope" that there can be "eating" in the..." + (show)
@lucy155

Excellent information! Just what I was looking for... "hope" that there can be "eating" in the recovery short term that will get better with time. Thank you so much for the list of YOUR ok foods.

Jump to this post

Thanks, Lucy. I should of course have included bread and eggs as part of my staple diet!

REPLY
ljcomfy | @ljcomfy | Dec 7, 2022
In reply to @amariewilkinson "I had a total rectal resection last year (over a year ago). I’m very narrowed in..." + (show)
@amariewilkinson

I had a total rectal resection last year (over a year ago). I’m very narrowed in the rectum but have been able to have bowel movements due to high fiber diets and lots of liquids. Up until I had a colonoscopy and lower EUS for a recheck and now I’m having trouble getting stool through. Has anyone experienced this? I’ve never had issues with constipation. Always opposite but can’t figure out if it’s swelling due to the procedure or what…? Help!

Jump to this post

@amariewilkinson In July 2022, I had about 30 cm (12 in) of my colon removed because rare cancer called goblet cell adenocarcinoma was found. Only 1 in 2,000, 000 people get this type. 35 lymph nodes were taken in my abdomen. Cancer free. However, I have very little natural feeling to have a bowel movement. I have found that if I walk and regularly sit on the commode, I can initiate a bowel movement. So, at least twice a day, whether or not I have a sense of a BM, I go to the commode. Walking and exercise have been a real help. I walk between 5,000 - 15,000 steps a day. A friend who had a much more serious cancer operation said to me, "Exercise is your friend." I have found this to be very true. My family has a history of colon cancer and so I have been getting colonoscopies every two years for the last 20 years. I will get the next one in July 2023. I will let you know how things go. In the meantime, I hope you can find some accommodation for your present situation. Each one of us is different. We must share what helps...

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