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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@bandaids

I am scheduled for a sigmoidetomy and these experiences are unsettling to say the least. I have been hospitalized for diverticulitis and have had 5+ episodes in 3 years. I usually have to take 2 doses of medication. Once I'm better with some left side wisps of pain , I get constipated. I eat pretty well but constipation has been a constant in my life. It has been worse between episodes of diverticulitis. Has anyone else experienced this and if so what did you do?

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Hey bandaids! Glad to see you out there making friends. Smart “woman”. 🤣🤣 Be thinking about ya on the 15th. sasha

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@lucky1038

Hi -- not to be a PC Police Officer - but please know that the words "ladies" and "girl" aren't used today. "Lady" implies that there is status that isn't there. "GIRL" implies a female child. Please be a woman who doesn't drag other women down. What you do when you use words that imply a certain (negative) status degrades YOU and all women.

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Hey Lucky 1038, I wrote that comment almost a year ago when I first got out of the hospital and was facing a very big challenge and learning curve on “living” with colon cancer. One year later, I have embraced my situation and have shared my journey with others on this site. I probably have “matured” in more ways than one. sasha.

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@virgo1952

Hi Sundance6! Thank you for your words of wisdom. Pretty much know this could have been a much more difficult surgery and outcome. So, I just want to say that I was fortunate. It’s mostly the lack of information in the main stream and that “gap” I find in our medical system of service/information that lead me to reaching out to people like you for advice and to remind me that this journey is out of my control. I got scared a week ago because I suddenly felt trapped and could not envision losing a freedom I have always taken for granted. I think what you said is very true. I just need to continue to do what I can to heal my body. It’s a great lesson on patience and, historically, I am not a patient girl....

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Hi -- not to be a PC Police Officer - but please know that the words "ladies" and "girl" aren't used today. "Lady" implies that there is status that isn't there. "GIRL" implies a female child. Please be a woman who doesn't drag other women down. What you do when you use words that imply a certain (negative) status degrades YOU and all women.

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I am scheduled for a sigmoidetomy and these experiences are unsettling to say the least. I have been hospitalized for diverticulitis and have had 5+ episodes in 3 years. I usually have to take 2 doses of medication. Once I'm better with some left side wisps of pain , I get constipated. I eat pretty well but constipation has been a constant in my life. It has been worse between episodes of diverticulitis. Has anyone else experienced this and if so what did you do?

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@countrygirlquilter

Tonight I am skipping my normal 8:00 p.m. snack. I am at the point of thinking about every bite I take - I know if it goes in, it has to also come out. This is not a diet that I wanted to take.

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Hi @countrygirlquilter, I'd like to add my welcome. How are you feeling today? Are you able to keep some food in?

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HI i had bowel resection last feb , due to polop found , Never had problems before resection.... ,No 8 months later still sore x pulling in tummy and side , evening x night ,,, i am now going to eat before 6 and see if it helps , i walk everyday hour and drink lots of water , Thank god no issues with bowel toilet use , good luck to you all ,,69 age

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@monicaeve

I guess on a positive note - at least I don’t feel like it’s taking too long to recover! Sounds like there’s a long way to go and all this is “normal”. Thanks for responding!!!

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It took me 3 months ...but I am 72 and I didn’t walk as often as I should have because of the pain . So some of it was my own fault . Hope you have a full recovery soon . If I can help please let me know . 😊

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@countrygirlquilter

I am only three weeks from sigmoid colon removal. The posts have given me hope that things will get better in time. I was wondering if members have found a good plan to cut down on trips to the bathroom. Last night I woke up at least every two hours to use the bathroom and I had two accidents. It’s hard during the day with so many trips, but it is worse at night. I saw a post about Metamucil? What is the regimen for that and I would appreciate any other ideas.

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I have replied to another post as well as this one . I had Sigmoid Colon removal in January . The Metamucil helps me a lot . I take 1 TBS mixed in 8 oz of water everyday . It really helps with the constant bathroom trips ! You will get better it just takes time . When I first had the surgery I was going constantly and had accidents as well ...but the Metamucil really helped me a lot . Dr told me I would have to take it the rest of my life . But it has an orange drink taste so not bad . Hope you get better soon ...I know it is tough😩

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@countrygirlquilter

My problems are maybe different from most on this site. I have suffered with severe chronic constipation my whole life. I have had rectocele surgery twice for a prolapsed rectum. Two different colon surgeons recommended this surgery as my best hope for fixing my issues. Well, I am definitely not constipated anymore. I have had thirteen bowel movements in the last eleven hours. I took a teaspoon of Metamucil with dinner. I am feeling a bit desperate right now.

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Hello I know what you mean . I had resection surgery in January and had bad diaherria too . My doctor said to take 1 Tbs Metamucil mixed in 8 oz water . It will help bulk up your stools . He said I would have to take it the rest of my life . I still have a diaherra stool now and then but not like it was at the beginning. That surgery was very hard for me to recover from and I now have scar tissue from it . But, thank God I am doing good now .
I’m now dealing with right sided pain from Gall Bladder surgery complications! Have had Colonoscopy and Endoscopy last week and all is well . Have CT scans and ultra sound and they all show nothing that could be causing my pain . I had. MRCP scan done last week and waiting on results from that . We will see . Sorry I am rambling on . That resection surgery is tough but your stools should level off ...try the Metamucil everyday or better yet ask your doctor about it .
Hope you get better soon !

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@ajl4

so sorry for your discomfort; I am 7 months out and still live in the bathroom. What fun! No doc ever tells you what to expect. It's a big fat secret. Nightmares.

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Have you tried Metamucil or anything to try and regulate your bowels? So sorry to hear that your still living in the bathroom after 7 months.

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