Sigmoid colon resection: What to expect for recovery?

Never heard of a oncology dietician...

@johnpug, that certainly a story like no other I've heard. I'm so relieved to hear that your doctors were as attentive as they were to find the bladder tumor as well as deal with the polyps and colon cancer. I'm impressed to that you are a partner in your care, managing your pain, staying physically active and adjusting your diet as you learn.

Do you have access to an oncology dietician?

Good morning folks. My cancer journey started in May. Woke up one morning to bed soaked in blood from rectal bleeding*. Saw my PCP the same morning who got me into a GI Doctor 2 days later. Colonoscopy done 2 days later. Results of the colonoscopy: 6 polyps found; 5 removed; the 6th was too large (6cm) to completely remove. Polyp biopsies were negative much to the surprise of the GI Doc and myself*.

Referred to a Surgeon to perform an endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) to remove the 6cm polyp; happened on 1 July. After the ESD I was informed there was a small amount dysplasia on the removed polyp and a week later the Surgeon confirmed that it was cancer and referred me to a Surgeon #2.

Surgeon #2 immediately scheduled bloodwork and CT scan and 4 days later I met him. Bloodwork (CEA levels normal) and CT scan (cancer did not spread outside of colon) were good; Surgeon #2 answered all my questions and scheduled a robotic sigmoidectomy for 9 August.

The morning of my sigmoidectomy a Urologist showed up to let me know Surgeon #2 was being cautious and wanted stint(s) in parts of my bladder so Surgeon #2 didn’t accidentally cut them – sounded like a good idea. Surgery was around 4 hours. Woke up in recovery; was in moderate/severe pain and couldn’t feel any of my fingers. Hung out there for 3 hours. Moved to a room. The first night I was in a severe pain (meds did nothing); walking helped. The Urologist stopped by day #2 informed he found a tumor in my bladder; bioposy results in a week (sigh). Got feeling back in my left hand. I insisted on pain meds every 4 hours to stay ahead of my pain. Made sure to walk as much as I could. Drank lots of water. Didn’t eat much. Didn't sleep much. Released day #3.

At home I continued to take pain meds every 4 hours for a couple of days. Feeling in my right hand returned. Continued to walk and drink lots of water. Tried to sleep in a bed. Big no no. Ended up sleeping in a recliner for 5 days (ugh sleep). Surgeon #2 called me and told the biopsies were negative and no chemo required; woohoo!!!! Urologist called me and told me the bladder tumor was negative, but was skeptical and wants to see me in November; believe I have a cystoscopy in my future. Had random swelling in my right foot and Surgeon #2 wanted me to see a Podiatrist. Podiatrist said the swelling was unrelated to the sigmoidectomy, although I’m not convinced the swelling in my body just didn’t find other joints to bother. Was off the pain meds 8 days later.

5 weeks later. BMs are fleeting, laxatives required. Eating is iffy; learned the hard way to stay away from fatty, greasy, spicy, and rich foods & very limited dairy. Back to work full time. Doing moderate cardio and light weight lifting until Surgeon #2 gives me the go ahead to do more.

That’s my cancer journey to date. If it wasn’t for the initial bleeding, who knows how bad the cancer may have gotten in my colon / other organs. I’m 48 and probably wouldn’t have gotten a colonoscopy for 2 years. If it wasn’t for Surgeon #2 being overly cautious and having a Urologist around for my sigmoidectomy, the bladder tumor never would have been found. To say I’m lucky is an understatement.

Good luck to everyone dealing with any cancer. It’s a giant pile of suck. Find good doctors to guide your care and great friends to support you!

* The bleeding was from the 6cm polyp.
* I did ask the GI Doc if it was possible if there could be cancer on what was remaining of the 6cm polyp despite the biopsy of the parts that he cut off during the colonoscopy being negative, he said yes.

Hi
I had emergency sigmoid Operation in March. It is now July and I feel as though I haven’t improved very much. Still pain and sore and so tired. I am 66 .
Just found out I have a contained leak . I feel so down and scared.
Nothing has been explained to me . I am so pleased I have found this site.

Thank you for this post! It’s very helpful to read others stories and learn of their recovery. I had a Low Anterior Resection for rectal cancer (part of the sigmoid colon was removed as well) on June 10. Unfortunately I ended up with a temporary colostomy bag but I still have a lot of rectal pain/discomfort. I was hoping the temporary bag would prevent the symptoms of LARS and the issues from the resection,, however the surgeon said once the bag is reversed there’s a high likelihood I’ll still experience LARS.
I wish you all best and a speedy recovery! It’s a difficult process

I’m 10 months out and I feel like I really turned the corner - ability to exercise and sleep without intense pain at 7 months. I still have bowel issues and pain if I eat the wrong thing or don’t drink enough water but it’s better than it was... hang in there - it does get better. I honestly sometimes don’t even know why it hurts but it does. My best advice is water water water and start working on getting full range of motion (stretching/walking). I also take gabapentin. I pour a pitcher of 2 liters of water everyday and I don’t go to sleep until it’s gone. I also take a chewable align probiotic. I noticed chewable was easier on my stomach for some reason. Hope you find what works for you.

Thanks for your information. How long after surgery did you have pain at the resection location? I had surgery on June 2nd and still have pain when I stand up from sitting... sometimes a sharp pain. Actually, it's only been about 6 weeks, so maybe I'm being too anxious about getting back to normal. Like you, smoothies and probiotics are helping. I also take a lot of vitamins. I do have difficulty regulating my bowel movements... not feeling like I really clean out my intestines. Any suggestions for that? Would appreciate any information... and thanks!

I had a sigmoid resection 11months ago, I take the same vitamins, it seems eating vegetables or a salad with every meal helps me.
In the morning I make a smoothie with avocado banana varies ...
I even added beans lentils etc in to my diet but bc they were hard to digest, I make a soup and then blend it. Initially I started with small portion till it felt OK to have more.
Also Using a good probiotic is very important!
Hope I helped
Good luck!

@duckduck2020, how are you doing? What did you find out about your husband's treatment plan? Thinking about you.

@kkw2, do you have a colostomy?

Thank you so much for your kind words of wisdom, I have my phone telecommunication appt. today so just a few questions written down.
Thanks for wishing me well getting through it , man it is no piece of cake(which my husband called my first natural birth of one of my three sons:)