Sigmoid colon resection: What to expect for recovery?

I will be praying that he doesnt have to get ostomy surgery (stoma) I have stage 4 colorectal cancer. It started as (they say..) Diverticulitis. I was in such pain for a year before they gave me a colonoscopy. Now its stage 4. Definitely will be a prayer warrior for you both! Rrmember God is good...all the time! God bless!

My husband has STAGE 4 colon cancer and metastized into the liver . He has done chemo and now they say his chemo has given him diverticulitis . He had BRAF type . Now what do we do? We see a surgeon this Tuesday and from what theDr said they want to go around the colon. What do I expect?

Thanks Lisa.

I so agree. I know our doctors can’t tell us what we will end up like, but I wish I had known that I would never be the same. I know it isn’t possible, especially with a cancerous tumor, but it would calm my anxiety a lot to know that aches, discomfort, bloating and swelling are part of the journey. I also have developed multiple hernias that are quite uncomfortable. I won’t have them fixed unless it’s an emergency because several surgeons have said that is just inciting more scar tissue to form. I hope you find the answers!!

Good morning @lisag3. I guess even after these different surgeries, there are complications not considered. Many on this site (I have found) have had ongoing issues after thinking and/or being told(or nothing said) by their doctor that you will return to “what was”. Nope. It is a roller coaster ride of always trying to strike a balance between diet, exercise and hydration. Throw in your mental attitude and stress level and you juggling a lot. One year later, with a clean colonoscopy, I still have an occasional “aching” in my anal area, which maybe scar tissue from being cut. (Thank you for that insight) I swear I am smaller or nonexistent in my sigmoid section, which has made a huge difference in my ability to eliminate. So, if someone has the “ magic” answer to these issues, i am all ears. Otherwise, I am continuing on this”colon” journey like so many others. Take care. Virgo52

I’m now one year out from my resections, and there are times when I have pain. It always causes me anxiety, but I recently met with a new GI doc and he said that bloating, swelling and aches and pain is to be expected when you’ve had extensive surgery. Adhesions form and pull on things, etc. I try not to worry until the pain is consistent and really uncomfortable (I’ve had an anostkmatic leak, a bowel obstruction (adhesions caused ) and a perforation since my initial tumor removal and resection. Try not to worry but if it gets worse or you just can’t relax, call your surgeon

i have some sorness and pulling and tingle in then first 6 months ,, But it was getting better ,Now its ten months and it gets sore and pain around wound area when i sit or lie down sometimes ,,,,,,, not when i walk or stand . comes and goes ,i am not sure if its my diet if i eat something differance if that that problem , thank you

Hi @troyhenn22, I included your post in a discussion that has many members discussing bowel/colon resection so you could connect with them. Did you have discomfort prior to this or did it just occur?

sorness in tummy 12 months after bowel resection for polop

Hello@minabird! Thank you for the well wishes. I have not been on the site to chat regularly for awhile. But, i still receive notifications. I became very involved after my resection surgery 10/2019. I received great advice and more importantly members were nonjudgmental and there was no taking “my inventory” regarding what I wrote. I will always be grateful to the site, it’s mentors, Colleen (hi colleen) and it’s members. I feel I was a good contributor and it was exciting to see the membership for colon cancer grow. I had my follow up colonoscopy last week and it came back clear yay!!! So, there’s no stopping me now 🙂 Happy to hear of your positive outcome and wishing every one going through this now and in the future hope and encouragement. This site should remain a nonjudgemental platform in all aspects. Plainly put, if you don’t have positive thoughts, maybe ask yourself if criticism is necessary. One last thing since I’m here. A shout out to “bandaids”! Hope your surgery went well and you are healing quickly. One of these days, maybe you will change your online name from bandaids to SUPERWOMAN!!!!!! You’ve earned it Take care everybody. Virgo1952