My ascites was mostly caused by my liver. Yours could be from your surgery. Your liver may have nothing to do with it. Two different causes. Like you, I am just a cancer patient. But, I am all to familiar with your symptoms. I had my stomach drained 3 times over 2 weeks. 8, 7, and 6 liters were drained. Once the chemo started working, things slowly improved.
Renn, I had similar symptoms from liver metastasis from pancreatic cancer. My liver wasn't functioning properly. It turned out to be ascites. It is a build up of fluid in the stomach cavity. I learned that it can result in a small percentage of patients after colon surgery. A quick internet search had this result:
What is chylous ascites after colon surgery?
Chylous ascites (CA) or chyle leak (CL) after colorectal surgery remains a relatively rare complication with estimated incidence of 1%-6.5%. It usually occurs after unrecognized trauma to the lymphatics during surgery.
It might be something to look into. I had over 20 liters of fluid in my stomach area. I looked like I was pregnant. Let me know, if I can help further. I will share what I can from a patient perspective.
Renn, I had similar symptoms from liver metastasis from pancreatic cancer. My liver wasn't functioning properly. It turned out to be ascites. It is a build up of fluid in the stomach cavity. I learned that it can result in a small percentage of patients after colon surgery. A quick internet search had this result:
What is chylous ascites after colon surgery?
Chylous ascites (CA) or chyle leak (CL) after colorectal surgery remains a relatively rare complication with estimated incidence of 1%-6.5%. It usually occurs after unrecognized trauma to the lymphatics during surgery.
It might be something to look into. I had over 20 liters of fluid in my stomach area. I looked like I was pregnant. Let me know, if I can help further. I will share what I can from a patient perspective.
Welcome to Connect, @nannytart.
There are a number of reasons that someone will experience abdominal swelling after surgery. Here are some explanations http://www.healthguideinfo.com/digestive-disorders/p118708/. But it has been 9 months since your surgery. Has you belly looked like this since surgery? Have you talked to your doctor about it?
I’m 8 months past a colon resection. I was diagnosed with colon cancer stage 2. Luckily it was removed and I’m ready for my second visit to the colorectal nurse. Two days ago I attended hospital and saw one of the surgeons, blood was taken for tests and all was ok. Since day one I have suffered from soreness in around my stomach area, which if I brush against something it’s more of an irritation than a pain. My stomach is swollen and feels tight, I’m constipated and have developed an incisional hernia. I was given laxatives to take and suppository’s to use. I’m in the UK, and after the blood tests I was told that I didn’t require as scan as my bloods were fine. 8 months down the line, and still my trousers that I used to wear, won’t fit me. Has anyone else had this problem
I had emergency surgery for a full bowel obstruction and colostomy last a year ago last month with a follow up abdominal surgery to remove a baseball size tumor and ileostomy. Now, after my resection, I look 3 months pregnant.
Par for the course! I had (failed ostomy surgery). I have a belly that makes me look 5 months PG! The muscles were cut. I wear loose tops that hides my bump somewhat.
I had emergency surgery for a full bowel obstruction and colostomy last a year ago last month with a follow up abdominal surgery to remove a baseball size tumor and ileostomy. Now, after my resection, I look 3 months pregnant.
@chateau, I noticed that you wished to post a URL to an article with your post. You will be able to add URLs to your posts in a few days. There is a brief period where new members can't post links. We do this to deter spammers and keep the community safe. Clearly the link you wanted to post is not spam. Please allow me to post it for you.
Chateau, I can imagine that the swollen belly is worrisome. But as you said, it is very early days only 5 days post surgery. There's still a lot of gas in your abdomen from the surgery I should think.
Have you inquired about lymphatic massage already?
Hello, I haven’t had the massage yet and haven’t been offered one. I wonder where I can get one. I will ask my surgeon and report back. Thanks for the encouragement!
@chateau, I noticed that you wished to post a URL to an article with your post. You will be able to add URLs to your posts in a few days. There is a brief period where new members can't post links. We do this to deter spammers and keep the community safe. Clearly the link you wanted to post is not spam. Please allow me to post it for you.
Chateau, I can imagine that the swollen belly is worrisome. But as you said, it is very early days only 5 days post surgery. There's still a lot of gas in your abdomen from the surgery I should think.
Have you inquired about lymphatic massage already?
Hi
I am a new member to connect and look forward to sharing with others as well as learning from other members diagnosed with colon cancer. At the age of 63 my life changed forever. Two days before Christmas of 2014. I had rapid onset stomach pains and after a number of scans and scopes a colonoscopy found the cancer in the cecum on jan 8 2015.my doctors thought it was perhaps stage 2 at the most
Surgery followed and a tumor over 3 cm, a foot and a half of my colon along with 45 lymph nodes were removed of which 16 had metastized to my liver lungs and peritoneum. The pathology showed stage IV. It was like a bad dream as I had 4 prior colonoscopies due to a family history only to found out the cancer had most likely been missed. Thank God I was in good health otherwise. After healing from the surgery I started chemotherapy of 5-fu and avastin and completed my treatment plan in June of 2015. Then a pet scan was ordered and was told the cancer was gone and I was NED. It was the best news I could have hoped for. So since July of 2015 to present I take xeloda and avastin , see my oncologist every 3 weeks and have Ct scans every 3 month. Every scan including the pet scan done in december of 2016 have been NED.
It is like a miracle and I thank God every day for helping me.
I just made the 2 year point and all things considered my life is good. I have hand and foot syndrome from the xeloda but it has become manageable. I eat primarily a plant based diet, exercise, take supplements, do acupuncture and yoga and try my best to stay positive . I have also worked hard as after the surgery my weight dropped to a very scary 106 lbs and today weigh in at 118-119 lbs which gives me reserves and strength to fight the cancer. It also helps tremendously that I have a wonderful support system of family and friends and always have something to look forward to to keep me going. It has not been an easy time for sure but the bottom line is that I am still here and enjoying every day. And I believe that they are so so close to finding a cure for this dreaded disease and we need to stay strong and positive and help each other and never give up the fight
Well done you are an inspiration. Did you also have the lymphedema? How are you finding acupuncture? I had it regularly before my diagnosis but want to go back asap to help me manage the side effects of this surgery.
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My ascites was mostly caused by my liver. Yours could be from your surgery. Your liver may have nothing to do with it. Two different causes. Like you, I am just a cancer patient. But, I am all to familiar with your symptoms. I had my stomach drained 3 times over 2 weeks. 8, 7, and 6 liters were drained. Once the chemo started working, things slowly improved.
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Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionThanks for your reply, I’ve had blood tests which have come back as ok, liver tests all ok. May I ask how was it treat
Renn, I had similar symptoms from liver metastasis from pancreatic cancer. My liver wasn't functioning properly. It turned out to be ascites. It is a build up of fluid in the stomach cavity. I learned that it can result in a small percentage of patients after colon surgery. A quick internet search had this result:
What is chylous ascites after colon surgery?
Chylous ascites (CA) or chyle leak (CL) after colorectal surgery remains a relatively rare complication with estimated incidence of 1%-6.5%. It usually occurs after unrecognized trauma to the lymphatics during surgery.
It might be something to look into. I had over 20 liters of fluid in my stomach area. I looked like I was pregnant. Let me know, if I can help further. I will share what I can from a patient perspective.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsI’m 8 months past a colon resection. I was diagnosed with colon cancer stage 2. Luckily it was removed and I’m ready for my second visit to the colorectal nurse. Two days ago I attended hospital and saw one of the surgeons, blood was taken for tests and all was ok. Since day one I have suffered from soreness in around my stomach area, which if I brush against something it’s more of an irritation than a pain. My stomach is swollen and feels tight, I’m constipated and have developed an incisional hernia. I was given laxatives to take and suppository’s to use. I’m in the UK, and after the blood tests I was told that I didn’t require as scan as my bloods were fine. 8 months down the line, and still my trousers that I used to wear, won’t fit me. Has anyone else had this problem
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionPar for the course! I had (failed ostomy surgery). I have a belly that makes me look 5 months PG! The muscles were cut. I wear loose tops that hides my bump somewhat.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsI had emergency surgery for a full bowel obstruction and colostomy last a year ago last month with a follow up abdominal surgery to remove a baseball size tumor and ileostomy. Now, after my resection, I look 3 months pregnant.
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Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsHello, I haven’t had the massage yet and haven’t been offered one. I wonder where I can get one. I will ask my surgeon and report back. Thanks for the encouragement!
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Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction@chateau, I noticed that you wished to post a URL to an article with your post. You will be able to add URLs to your posts in a few days. There is a brief period where new members can't post links. We do this to deter spammers and keep the community safe. Clearly the link you wanted to post is not spam. Please allow me to post it for you.
- Lymphedema https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lymphedema/symptoms-causes/syc-20374682
Chateau, I can imagine that the swollen belly is worrisome. But as you said, it is very early days only 5 days post surgery. There's still a lot of gas in your abdomen from the surgery I should think.
Have you inquired about lymphatic massage already?
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsWell done you are an inspiration. Did you also have the lymphedema? How are you finding acupuncture? I had it regularly before my diagnosis but want to go back asap to help me manage the side effects of this surgery.
I also have it in the cecum! Can I join your club? I had my appendix up until Monday when they removed it along with the colon....
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