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Any experiences with laparoscopic colon resection with Da Vinci?
Colorectal Cancer | Last Active: Nov 7, 2023 | Replies (10)Comment receiving replies
I had that surgery last December. I woke up w 5 little stapled incisions, but also a 4 inch lateral incision where my "blockage" was removed. Ask your surgeon about this. I did not anticipate the big scar, and although the incisions healed well, I have had ongoing pain around the big scar. This surgery will change your life, so please make sure it is necessary. I had 9 bouts of divirticulitiz in about 9 years, and everytime healing took place, scar tissue formed, eventually causing a golf ball size blockage. I am very athletic and active, and now have to wear a pad because exercion will cause fecal leakage, and I generally have about 1 minute to locate a bathroom when I feel an urge, or I have a fecal accident. I generally use the bathroom appox every 2 hours to prevent fecal accidents, usually averaging 8-9 bowel movements a day- ranging from liquid to pencil like pieces. New normal and I am 66 with no co- morbids. I try to stay positive, but this dramatic life change has been difficult. I feel like I got OLD overnight. Good luck.
Replies to "I had that surgery last December. I woke up w 5 little stapled incisions, but also..."
I’m sorry to hear your unfortunate experience. My colorectal surgeon said 5 small incisions plus 4” lateral incision…
I hope you get better.
Even after surgery you still sensation of going to the bathroom. It’s surgery worth it, should it not removed . I’m in ur same condition. A large mass in the rectum. Im about to start my first chemo treatment
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I had my entire colon removed via robotic assisted laparoscopic surgery at Mayo Rochester in Feb 2021. They connected the end of the small intestine to the rectum, thus no colostomy or bag. Had stage 3C cancer around the splenic flexure and severe diverticula at the sigmoid section. A quick recovery after the 3 days in the hospital. I had no problems with the surgery post-op but had the same cuts and scars.
I have similar issues with elimination problem 8-9 bowel movements a day, mine are entirely liquid. Leakage can be a problem especially when being physically active.
Oddly enough I chatted with Mayo about this 2 days ago. They suggested loperamide (a common OTC anti-diarrheal) and/or a thick slurry of Metamucil (or equivalent) that is barely thin enough to drink (yuk!).
The MM helps absorb the liquid in the feces so it's much less runny. I started with a heaping teaspoon at bedtime, but adjust amount and frequency as necessary. Ideally, one is supposed to take it after meals.
The loperamide slows the movement of your intestines and slows the working of food through it which allows the intestine more time to absorb the liquid. I tried one at bedtime and found that was too much (constipation), so I backed it off to 1/2 of a tablet at bedtime last night which worked better.
A note about the fiber supplement: be careful to read the labeling and fine print: some contain artificial sweeteners which some people are allergic to and some contain refined sugar or dextrose which can exacerbate diarrhea.
Last, you may find this helpful for your leakage issues:
https://www.verywellhealth.com/tightening-your-anal-sphincter-796588
Hope this helps!