Sigmoid colon resection: What to expect for recovery?

Thank you for the reply, I have tried Metamucil and it didn't work for me, Imodium seems to work but my doctor doesn't want me to take it, so far it's the only thing that has worked.
I may have to go to a specialist, since my GP doesn't know what to do and I'm getting really tired of this! Was very active before this, went dancing, walking , etc. Now I'm afraid of a accident so I am staying home a lot.
Thanks again for the reply.

So glad I found this group! I’m 2 months out from a sigmoid colectomy and am still not feeling good. Just started this week with queasy stomach. BMs not normal at all. Never know what to eat, even though my surgeon said I could eat a regular diet. And I have no energy or desire to do anything except lay down with a heating pad on my gut. No obvious places of pain. Can’t get anyone at my Gastro office-always goes to voicemail. Feeling very discouraged. How long will it take to feel normal again?? We go on vacation in a month, and I’m beginning to dread the thought of it. Help!

I'd love to know what your surgeon defines as a regular diet ! After only 8 weeks... really ? Never heard of such.
Your bowels were never intended to be "normal at 8 weeks ! And eating a regular diet will never help !
Needing rest and sleep IS normal at 8 weeks. Lay down all you want but lose the heating pad !!
Your colon has not healed and heat, even hot food and drink can be detrimental to the resection, as in causing a leak or worse case, a total separation.
Your bowels will probably start to improve in a year.
You should be eating only food that is very easily digested. Look it up. Do some research on all of this.
Oh, and one last thought.... forget the vacation. You are not ready and you will have a miserable time. Or go and tell me I was right !
Paul

Ask about cholystramine. That’s what my GI gave me when I had diarrhea from chemo. It can be used multiple times a day, but doesn’t have the fiber that Metamucil has. You may be able to use Metamucil later, but the fiber can be an issue (you don’t want to get a blockage). I found that eating things like eggs, yogurt, and drinking smoothies helped. I didn’t have much of an appetite either, and was very low weight, so had to force myself to drink shakes. You still have a lot of healing to do, and it’s normal to be tired and fatigued. It’s a big surgery. I found that the 8 week timeline given by surgeons is just a general timeline but it takes much longer than that to feel better.
I’ve never heard of a heating pad causing a perforation or a leak. I would check with your doctor on the validity of that. I used a heating pad often. I had two bowel leaks and one perforation, neither caused by the heating pad. Even though you don’t feel up to movement, I would try to walk as much as possible. It really helps with recovery and helps your pelvic floor gain back strength. Ask about physical therapy as well.

I'm 9 months from my operation and still have accidents if I eat the wrong thing. Raw veggies are still too hard to digest, starchy things like baked potatoes, pasta seem to digest better. I was always a salad person and I really miss them, but I know I will not be going anywhere the next day.
Cholystramine gave me cramps and it's not cheap either! Wish I could share it with someone, Metamucil didn't work either just gave me more diarrhea.
Talking to someone else who has had this operation they also say there isn't enough information about healing. I think it's each individuals healing process is different. He said it took over a year not to have accidents.
I have extra clothes in the car and sometimes extra undies in my purse, and yes I still get tired now and then.
Wish there was more information out there but this group is very helpful knowing you aren't alone with this issue.
Best thing I can say is relax and take it easy for now.

I was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2019. I would love to talk to you more about it. Thanks.

Colon resection 3 months ago. In hospital 4 days. 8 inches of sigmoid removed. Cancerous polyp, but pathology showed that the cancer had not spread outside of the margins. 24 lymph nodes removed also. No cancer in them. Robotic surgery, so I had 5 small incisions in abdomen and one 5 inch incision below the belly button. For 3 weeks after hospital stay, I was in the bathroom once every hour of the day. Inconsistent texture, no matter what I ate. 1 roll of TP or more per day. Lost 8 pounds due to this situation. Ate low fiber diet and not much of food that would be hard to digest, per surgeons instructions for 3 weeks. Self injected anti-coagulant into belly tissue for 2 weeks after hospital stay. Wore compression socks for 3 weeks (I am a male, socks went from toes to above knees). After 3 weeks of inconsistent BMs, things improved “gradually” each day. After 3 months, I am more normal with BM form, but still use 1 roll of TP every 2 days. My food intake now is higher fiber bread, cereals, extra virgin olive oil to replace butter, limit fat intake (read ingredients on labels), chicken, eggs, lots of fruits and veggies. No red meat. 1 glass of wine per week. Will have my blood drawn for a CEA test this week. Will see if any cancer antigens are present. Will see surgeon for follow up on Aug 1st. Hope the CEA results do not show anything of concern. Also, I walk 30 minutes every day for exercise…I had a triple by-pass heart surgery procedure in Feb 2022. So, the exercise helps my heart and has helped keep my abdominal area strong. I have lost 28 pounds in the last 16 months and have stabilized at 173 lbs.

My sigmoid resection was also about 8 inches and my colon cancer did metastasize to the right lower lung. My surgery was 13 months ago for the colon and 11 months ago for lung wedge resection surgery.

I did very well throughout both with no complications.
I will say that the lung surgery is more painful than the colon by far.

My sole problem that continues to this day has been diarrhea. I know all about spending the day in a bathroom!

My diet has evolved over time and the bowel problems are finally improving.
I'm meat and dairy free with no fried foods, fast food, junk food, alcohol, etc. I basically stick with food that is easily digested.

Surprisingly, I have never lost any weight; have at times gained a couple pounds or more.

I have blood tests and a CT Scan every 4 months.
So far, so good!

Just recently those blood tests did show that I have hyperthyroidism.
I've had the thyroid imaging and iodine uptake tests. I have no symptoms of Graves disease and are taking 2 medications.

The golden years can be a process of maneuvering through various health issues.
It's not fun.
Best wishes to you and welcome to the Mayo forums! Paul

How do u feel now

I am new to group--I am 68 yr. old female, and have recurrent uncomplicated diverticulitis-- it is becoming more and more frequent. I can manage it with Amoxicillin, but I know it is not a great idea to keep taking antibiotics. I have had 4 flare ups since September, and it is massively painful. My health care team is pointing me towards sigmoidectomy surgery. I am scared to death that I will end up with a colostomy. I am also noting that many patients have very long recovery times, and this is scaring me, too--I have a once in a lifetime travel experience slated for late April, and really don't want to miss it. The surgeon I spoke with gave me a 'what to expect' summary, but he said nothing about long recovery times. I am really on the fence about this. Thanks for any advice!