Anyone else have a Redundant / Tortuous Colon?

What is on Facebook @quiteachiver76 you mentioned in your message

My resection was 11 weeks ago today. I had 7 inches in total of my sigmoid and descending colon removed. I can count on one hand the times I've had to take laxatives in my life. Constipation was only an issue for me in the weeks after my daughter was born and that resolved on its own. I actually was seeing my GI and internists for issues I was having with frequent bowel movements before I had my surgery. Since I had a diverticulitis flare that wasn't resolving with antibiotics, I assumed that the inflammation was causing diarrhea. Now I'm at the opposite end of this with severe constipation. My surgeon and GI are both of the impression that this is not permanent. I have so much discomfort on a daily basis, even 11 weeks feels permanent.

Thank you so much. I am on Facebook and I'll definitely join the group.

Thank you so much. I am on Facebook and I'll definitely join the group.

@tracy430
You are fresh out of surgery. Please be patient with yourself. I know it's horribly uncomfortable! It can take a full year to recover from a resection. My first 18 months were spent with diarrhea and/or constipation. Took a long time to get a handle on what I could eat, and how to manage the discomfort and flare ups. Your body has been traumatized and it is trying to figure out how to compensate for the loss of the part of your colon, and also the trauma. Remember that your intestines are still very inflamed and not happy. Eat things that are easily digested-- very small amounts at a time. Yogurt, scrambled eggs, Ensure-- very soft stuff so your intestines don't have to work hard. Low fiber at this point. I also take a probiotic Align every day. I don't know if you are on Facebook but I'm in a wonderful, closed, private group for colectomy patients. I get the best advice from that group that you won't hear from doctors. It's amazing how clueless doctors are about telling us how to help ourselves after this type of surgery. The name of the group is Post colectomy--the roller coaster of debilitating discomfort and pain. Highly recommend. Also, magnesium capsules may help. I take it every single day. I use nature's way magnesium complex. Good luck and please let me know how you are doing. Ask any question at any time. I feel for you! I am 2 1/2 years out from my surgery. Hang in there-- it will get better!! ❤️

After my 4th surgery this year, which ended up being a Deloyers Procedure, one of the things the surgeon recommended if I needed it was Senekot. I came out of the hospital with very consistent diarrhea so it was not needed. After about 4 weeks, things started firming up and I was feeling a little bit of discomfort, so I took some and it did help. Not nearly as harsh as a laxitive. I am also doing a yogurt probiotic daily as I am not digesting pills very well. All the potassium pills they gave me in the hospital came out in the toilet completely whole days 3 & 4 post discharge. Freaked me out, but at least I knew small hard things were making it out.
Still being careful, eating easy to digest foods, eggs, pancakes, applesauce, etc and drinking high protein Boost. But if I start feeling like it is getting hard to go I will take the Senekot. I hope you feel better. And I am now 7 weeks post Deloyers procedure.

@tracy430
You are fresh out of surgery. Please be patient with yourself. I know it's horribly uncomfortable! It can take a full year to recover from a resection. My first 18 months were spent with diarrhea and/or constipation. Took a long time to get a handle on what I could eat, and how to manage the discomfort and flare ups. Your body has been traumatized and it is trying to figure out how to compensate for the loss of the part of your colon, and also the trauma. Remember that your intestines are still very inflamed and not happy. Eat things that are easily digested-- very small amounts at a time. Yogurt, scrambled eggs, Ensure-- very soft stuff so your intestines don't have to work hard. Low fiber at this point. I also take a probiotic Align every day. I don't know if you are on Facebook but I'm in a wonderful, closed, private group for colectomy patients. I get the best advice from that group that you won't hear from doctors. It's amazing how clueless doctors are about telling us how to help ourselves after this type of surgery. The name of the group is Post colectomy--the roller coaster of debilitating discomfort and pain. Highly recommend. Also, magnesium capsules may help. I take it every single day. I use nature's way magnesium complex. Good luck and please let me know how you are doing. Ask any question at any time. I feel for you! I am 2 1/2 years out from my surgery. Hang in there-- it will get better!! ❤️

My resection was 11 weeks ago today. I had 7 inches in total of my sigmoid and descending colon removed. I can count on one hand the times I've had to take laxatives in my life. Constipation was only an issue for me in the weeks after my daughter was born and that resolved on its own. I actually was seeing my GI and internists for issues I was having with frequent bowel movements before I had my surgery. Since I had a diverticulitis flare that wasn't resolving with antibiotics, I assumed that the inflammation was causing diarrhea. Now I'm at the opposite end of this with severe constipation. My surgeon and GI are both of the impression that this is not permanent. I have so much discomfort on a daily basis, even 11 weeks feels permanent.