Hello, I had 12" of my colon removed. My tumor was just past the scope they use for a sigmoidoscopy. I am 20 years out and 64. I never got to a point where I didn't have trouble with bowel movements. My body just doesn't have much muscle down there anymore. If I don't take a stimulant, I just don't go. Unless I eat a lot of fruit and vegetables, then I get diarrhea and cannot move away from the toilet. I now have a system down that works for me. I take a medication called Linzess each morning. It took a long time to get it synced to my system, I used to have diarrhea for 6 hours every morning. Now I take it first thing, with my pain meds (another long story) and my bowels wake up anywhere between 1/2hr to 2 hours after. I go 2 to 6 times and then I'm good for the day. I feel SOOOO much better getting cleaned out like this and I've learned to adapt my life so I can maintain. No one told me anything and I was very angry. So, I hope this helps some.

Post op laparoscopic sigmoid colectomy (July 2022). Recovery from this type of surgery can take time. I agree, initially it does feel like you are running to the bathroom every five minutes for a BM. It does take the colon time to readjust from this type of surgery but believe me over time things will get much better. Don’t lose touch with the fact that the worst is over and you are now in the recovery stage. Reach out and touch base with your colorectal surgeon when issues arise. Have patience and think positive, you’re on way to recovery!