1. < Colorectal Cancer

Sigmoid colon resection: What to expect for recovery?

Posted by virgo1952 @virgo1952, Dec 1, 2019

It’s been 4+weeks since my resection. Found a cancerous polyp during a routine screening. Some frustration over the lack of information given by the surgeon as to what to expect afterwards. Late 60’s so I know the healing will take time. Mostly, struggling with bowel urgency/frequency and experiencing stomach pain from gas (pretty sure) is three months s realistic time frame for returning to “normal”? I’ve seen some posts that talk about two years? No further treatment so I was lucky. If anyone has had this surgery and went through or is going through the healing process, I would love to hear from you. Just kind of out there.

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lsdd13 | @lsdd13 | Aug 22, 2022

I had a Colectomy in November and have never returned to normal. I have belly distention, urgency and incomplete emptying. I am trying everything recommended. I’m in Pelvic Floor Therapy, eating low fodmAp diet etc. Hoping something will kick in soon.
I’ve had every test in the book and there seems to be no other reason except the surgery.

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lisag03 | @lisag03 | Aug 22, 2022
In reply to @lisag03 "The tingling pain is probably normal. Your body starts regenerating those nerves, and unfortunately, your body..." + (show)
@lisag03

The tingling pain is probably normal. Your body starts regenerating those nerves, and unfortunately, your body also naturally forms
Adhesions. I have had three resections and pain around my belly button happens a lot. I’m 3 months out and still have it

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So in hindsight, the pain I was feeling around my belly button was actually a ventral hernia and diastasis recti. I’ve had it surgically repaired in 2021

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bethpearson | @bethpearson | Mar 18, 2022
In reply to @colleenyoung "Hi Beth, four weeks is not a long time post-op. I've moved your message so that..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

Hi Beth, four weeks is not a long time post-op. I've moved your message so that you can connect with others talking about their recovery after colon resection, like @monicaeve @kathyoung @troyhenn22 @vjs @lisag03 and many others.

Beth, if you are concerned about your symptoms, don't hesitate to contact your surgeon. Is this tightness a new feeling? Sudden? Does it feel like it is internal? Might it be part of the deep healing?

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Thank you for getting back to me!

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Mar 18, 2022
In reply to @bethpearson "I just had my resection done about 4 weeks ago and now I’m feeling tightness on..." + (show)
@bethpearson

I just had my resection done about 4 weeks ago and now I’m feeling tightness on one side of the stomach. Is this normal? Otherwise I feel fine…..please share thx

Jump to this post

Hi Beth, four weeks is not a long time post-op. I've moved your message so that you can connect with others talking about their recovery after colon resection, like @monicaeve @kathyoung @troyhenn22 @vjs @lisag03 and many others.

Beth, if you are concerned about your symptoms, don't hesitate to contact your surgeon. Is this tightness a new feeling? Sudden? Does it feel like it is internal? Might it be part of the deep healing?

REPLY
1 reply
bethpearson | @bethpearson | Mar 18, 2022

I just had my resection done about 4 weeks ago and now I’m feeling tightness on one side of the stomach. Is this normal? Otherwise I feel fine…..please share thx

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1 reply
monicaeve | @monicaeve | Mar 14, 2022
In reply to @vjs "Are you able to connect me with others who have had left colon resection due to..." + (show)
@vjs

Are you able to connect me with others who have had left colon resection due to diverticulitis? It would help to know how others fared. Thanks. Vjs

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I am 1 1/2 yrs out and it has taken me quite some time to heal. I still have some discomfort. I will say - drinking a TON of water and staying away from raw food and hard to digest food helped the most! It can be discouraging but it does get better!

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kathyoung | @kathyoung | Mar 13, 2022
In reply to @colleenyoung "It's hard to be a patient patient, especially with recovery. Be kind to yourself. Your body..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

It's hard to be a patient patient, especially with recovery. Be kind to yourself. Your body has been through a lot.

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Hang in there. I had a colon resection in late September 2020. it takes a while and it is hard to be patient with yourself. I would say it took about 8 weeks for me to feel somewhat like old myself. I had a
lot of sharp pain in my right side, which I never did figure out.
If you’re incisions are healing nicely that’s a good sign.
I also think the rectal pain is probably to be expected. With regard to urination, my surgeon told me they put an instrument in the ureters to ensure that they do not injure them during the surgery. Perhaps that would explain pain during urination. I didn’t have pain but since the surgery I do have some urgency. Not sure if that explains it but it made sense to me.

I hope you feel better soon! It took a while but I’m so glad I had the surgery. Keep us posted.

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troyhenn22 | @troyhenn22 | Mar 13, 2022
In reply to @lisag03 "The hernias were from having so many open abdominal surgeries in a short time. It weakened..." + (show)
@lisag03

The hernias were from having so many open abdominal surgeries in a short time. It weakened the abdominal wall. My second surgery required a wound vac and therefore, the wound wasn’t sutured outside. My third surgery was laparoscopic but I developed a fistula. My fourth surgery was open as well and the umbilical hernia was most noticeable. I also ended up having diastasis recti as well as the umbilical hernia and two others. I just had surgery in June to repair them all and they repaired everything including the muscle separation. It is called component separation surgery. I had a few complications, including discovering I’m now allergic to contrast, but am back to running and barre classes

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ohh hope you are feeling. better now x

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troyhenn22 | @troyhenn22 | Mar 13, 2022
In reply to @vjs "Had this surgery 4 weeks ago for recurring diverticulitis. Lots of gas and incision pain. One..." + (show)
@vjs

Had this surgery 4 weeks ago for recurring diverticulitis. Lots of gas and incision pain. One of my small incision from laproscopic doesn’t want to heal. Pain down left side when urinating and having a bowel movement. As well I go frequently, stools are formed but I struggle to pass them. They are soft. Urinating is a weaker stream and some pain. Rectum has a vague pain. How long does it take to feel better. I’m 69, some days I regret the surgical decision.

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give it time ,, you will get better x i felt the same , but it will get. better , good luck

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troyhenn22 | @troyhenn22 | Mar 13, 2022

i hope you are well recoved now xx

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