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Sigmoid colon resection: What to expect for recovery?
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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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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1 ReactionMy 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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1 ReactionHello @countrygirlquilter and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect,
My GI specialist and PCP both recommend Metamucil to help with those way too frequent trips to the bathroom day and night. You might take a look at the Metamucil label and see what is recommended or better yet, contact your GI doctor and ask what he/she recommends. Often the doctor's nurse or PA can give you good instructions in matters like this and you don't have to try and get in touch with the ever-busy doctor.
You said that you are only 3 weeks from sigmoid colon removal? How long have you had problems before you decided on the surgery?
I’m not sure I have an answer but I do try to eat dinner as early as possible so I’m not up at night as much (5pm) I also don’t experiment with food in the evening - I do that only early in the day. Like yesterday I tried pineapple - it did not agree with me at all but at least by 10pm my stomach calmed down a bit. Someone in the group suggested Kefir and I have been doing that. I also take half a dose of benefiber in the morning. Seems to be helping. If I do get hungry after 5 I keep it very simple like toast or a small bowl of Rice Krispies (easy to digest for me). Hope you feel better soon!
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1 ReactionI 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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1 Reactionso 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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2 ReactionsI 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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2 ReactionsYes, I will!
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1 ReactionI'm glad to hear that, @monicaeve. I look forward to hearing from you after you talk to the surgeon. Will you post an update?
I hate that you are having a rough time as well but it does help to know perhaps what we are both going through is part of the recovery!
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