How Do You Manage Immunity and Blood Sugar Without a Colon?

I had my entire colon removed 62 years ago due to ulcerative colitis. At the time I was told my small intestine would assume the function the colon had been doing. That proved to be correct as I was very healthy from age 20 until age 77 when I was diagnosed with COPD due to second hand smoke. About once a year I have experienced a bowel blockage due to fiber which is my only negative side effect of not having a colon and most of the time it was due too poor diet choices.

Hi, I have about 18 inches less gut, large/small…i avoided problems because I very, very gradually added fiber—not too much at first, and started with the gentler fiber, like applesauce…nutritionist was focused on weight gain- i just took it more slowly to give my new gut a chance to get used to new foods….long term, hoping to maintain a healthy happy diet and life !

Hi, @caregiver42 - welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. As this is a patient online community, you will likely hear from just laypeople who have been through a colon resection. I'm sure they will be very helpful as you try to help out a close family member who had a resection due to colon cancer.

Tagging a few members who have talked about having part of their colon removed to see what thoughts they have or what they've been told by medical professionals about managing immunity and blood sugar without a colon @1942daa @lsdd13 @oceanone @suzytalib @lacy2 and @hopeful33250 also may have some thoughts for you.

I had my colon removed due to a congenital malrotation in July 2023. I received no guidance from my hospital or rehab facility about nutrition or diarrhea. My GI suggested citrucil (produces less gas) and pepto bismol for diarrhea and indigestion. For me citrucil is largely gasless. At first I was advised not to use imodium; the reason was not provided. But I have had experience with other drs. and based on their counsel I have used imodium. To me imodium and pepto are interchangeable for my issues. I also occasionally use ondansetrom (zofran) to stop contraction spasms from diarrhea. I have stayed away from beans, peas and corn. Leafy greens don't get digested. I think talking to as many drs, both specialists, internist, and GPs about your issues helps the best. Everyone said if you see red blood or black you need a doctor.

Hello @aileenredding and @caregiver42,

I would like to invite you both to a discussion on eating after digestive tract surgery. Here is the link to that discussion:
--How Do I Eat After Digestive Tract Surgery
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/how-do-i-eat-after-digestive-tract-surgery/
As you share your experiences in this group, you will meet others who have recovered from this type of surgery. @aileenredding, You will find your experience of not having guidance post-surgery to be the expereince of many of us. We generally have to find our new eating habits by trial and error.

@caregiver42, I appreciate your concern for your family member who has had colon surgery. I think the discussion group mentioned above may also be helpful to you.

Will you both post again and let me know how you are doing?

From my experience stay away from coconut oranges green beans asparagus popcorn I learned all the hard way. Anything that does not digest can cause an obstruction.

Greetings to you, and all.
I also had Ulcerative colts a few years back, It wasn't easy for me having a ileostomy, I kinda tuned out everyone and felt displaced. I was 5 months at one hospital then was transferred to another hospital for emergency surgery. I had to learn to obey the doctors on what and what not to eat. I begged to go get hamburgers and fries... The food tasted like plastic mingle with rubber. A bland diet was the best. Now it's 17 years later: Fruits and Veggies, lean white meat, helps me.. but when I eat pork rinds, hot sauce and spicy food I become sick and can easily catch a stomach virus. Wheat bread is best, if you have white bread it's better to toast the bread. To much peanut butter isn't good for me. Peanuts only 3 or 4 twice a year or not at all. I don't know if any this help. But I know proper fruit and veggies and follow what the doctor recommended.
Have a blessed day

@aileenredding Hi, I took had Colon removed. I even developed gastritis 4 yrs ago. I can't eat green leafy vegetables due to I take warfarin..I have less iron in body as well.
What helped me loperimide which is similar to what you already take. I also take metronidazole being abroad it's what they have I don't know the name in USA but I will find out when I back in a few weeks. Metronidazole is a antibiotic that removes bacteria and helps water to move better through out the stomach. I actually feel better and don't need loperimide until I run out of metronidazole. I eat 1 banana, or a very small apple. If I have. I don't drink coffee, but powder ginger root, or green tea with lemon. And also lemon water. I don't anything else but water. Some foods don't digest, I can string beans they're low in vitamin k, but often they don't digest. Applesauce is better than apples.

I hope this helps.
Have a blessed day.