Sigmoid colon resection: What to expect for recovery?

Hello @monicaeve and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect!

I'm sorry to hear of the problems you continue to experience post-sigmoid surgery. This must be disheartening to be having symptoms when you were expecting to be somewhat back to normal. Actually, four weeks out of surgery is not such a long time and perhaps your expectations are not realistic given the extent of your surgery
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Have you talked with your surgeon or GI doctor to determine what the time frame is for recovery? (Being aware, of course, that everyone heals at a different rate.) If not, you might give their office a call or send a message through the patient portal. I would especially mention the blood in the stools which could indicate something more than just the normal recovery.

Will you contact the surgeon and mention these symptoms, especially the bloody stool?

I am 4 weeks out of surgery today. I had 12 inches removed. I thought that the recovery was 4-6weeks. I’m pretty much still sitting up in bed most of the day. It’s very uncomfortable to sit in a chair. I go on 15 minute walks a few times a day but find it exhausting and it seems to cause Throbbing pain in my left groin into my thigh. I still have 2 incisions that ooze a bit but no fever and a lot of abdominal tenderness. Shooting pains and cramping with blood in my stools is still happening. Is all this normal at 4 weeks. It’s confusing because I thought I’d be “back to normal” in 4-6 weeks. Im still eating a bland diet due to abdominal pain and bowel issues. I am 45 and pretty healthy. This has been a struggle. I’m glad I found this group!

I had similar surgery (initial cancer was in my sigmoid colon and had partially attached to the cecum. I had initial surgery 5/6/19, and then another on 5/16/19 due to a leak at the anastomoses site. I had a wound vac for around 4-5 weeks and initially pain was rough. It takes months to feel better. But if you are having so much nausea I would contact your oncologist. Are you still doing chemo? I did chemo after surgery but only made it two rounds. Too much diarrhea and I wound up needing a surgery for an obstruction caused by adhesions. That was in August 2019. I developed a fistula in September and 19 and ultimately that led to a perforation requiring emergency surgery on 11/6/19. I developed sepsis and was on a ventilator for 9 days and in the hospital for 5 weeks. I was no food or liquid by mouth until end of December. I was on TPN while I healed from another Leak.
I had four prior abdominal surgeries (all open surgeries) prior to the sigmoid resection and it made healing more difficult. I had three inguinal her repairs and the mesh has been an issue with both my sigmoid resection and all other surgeries. I’m still not “normal” and have tons of gas and bloating when I eat. My tummy is still swollen and distended. I think it takes a long time to heal. I don’t feel like my surgeon really told me what to expect in the future. I think they just deal with the surgical aspect not long term. I hope you get some relief.

I am 4 weeks out of surgery today. I had 12 inches removed. I thought that the recovery was 4-6weeks. I’m pretty much still sitting up in bed most of the day. It’s very uncomfortable to sit in a chair. I go on 15 minute walks a few times a day but find it exhausting and it seems to cause Throbbing pain in my left groin into my thigh. I still have 2 incisions that ooze a bit but no fever and a lot of abdominal tenderness. Shooting pains and cramping with blood in my stools is still happening. Is all this normal at 4 weeks. It’s confusing because I thought I’d be “back to normal” in 4-6 weeks. Im still eating a bland diet due to abdominal pain and bowel issues. I am 45 and pretty healthy. This has been a struggle. I’m glad I found this group!

Thank you for responding.

Nausea medication was prescribed & helps somewhat. Follow up with oncology next week.

Have had 4 abdominal surgeries previously. This one takes the cake.

Hi @kathleenweidmann and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You'll notice that I moved your message to this existing discussion called "Sigmoid colon resection: What to expect for recovery?" where members shared their recovery progress post colorectal surgery, members like @virgo1952 @sundance6 @corn50 @rdmishio @des46893 @1943 @bamagirlxyz @lisag03 @jmccabe51 and others. Click VIEW & REPLY to scroll through past responses.

Kathleen, you've been through a lot. To go into the hospital expecting a mesh repair and to come out having been diagnosed with cancer and major surgery and to have lost 35 lbs is a lot. Two weeks post surgery is not a long time. I'm sure that you still have some recovery time. However, you know your body best. If this pain doesn't feel right, then you should contact your surgeon or symptom management nurse. Have you reported your concerns? When is your next followup?

Went into ER 3 weeks ago thinking inguinal hernia mesh repair had failed. Came out of hospital 9 days later with cancer, a partial colon & a lg. tumor removal to recover from.

Ever since the the surgery anything I swallow causes great pressure, pain in my stomach &/or nausea. Is this normal? Does it pass overtime? It effects my ability to eat.

I am normally a 160 lb., 63 yr. old woman, healthy, active. I was sick for a few months with my self-diagnosed mesh failure. I now weigh a shocking 125 lb. I am weak & force myself to eat.

ANY suggestions are appreciated.

I never had cancer thank God but I did have my Sigmoid colon removed plus some. I had mine Jan 27 and I am still having complications. But to get to the point ...after mine I did the very same thing !! Very aggravating! Couldn’t go anywhere afraid of messing myself. But after drinking 8 oz of water with 1 Tbs of Metamucil everyday it has settled down and are normal. I am still having pain and discomfort on my left side. My doctor was not good at disclosure either he did not tell me a lot of things I went through. Did not know what to expect !! People need to know what to expect so they will know it is normal and not be so afraid that something is wrong ! I have been petrified that I will have to have more surgery and believe me I CANNOT GO THROUGH THAT AGAIN !! Pray you will get better it really takes awhile to get over this kind of surgery !!!!