Sigmoid colon resection: What to expect for recovery?

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

Hello Virgo,

I was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2017. I had colon resection with 12 inches of colon removed. My surgery was performed by the Davinci robot and was a pretty quick recovery. It took a little time for my body to get on a ‘regular’ schedule but have no long lasting effects. Wishing the same for you 🙏🏻

I’ve been getting better every day. I spoke with my surgeon late last week, he told me my pathology came back and there was no cancer or anything nasty. I’ve been taking Fibre One every night and I am now on a “regular” diet. I also take a stool softener every day.
I occasionally get pains that remind me of how it felt when I was having a bout of diverticulitis. That scares me! So far they haven’t to amounted to anything.
Thank you for asking. I hope everyone is staying safe and healing well.

@kathyoung and @monicaeve, it's now 2 weeks later. Are things continuing to improve?

I agree - there isn’t a lot of guidance. I am 6 weeks out and my surgeon told me on Monday that it takes 2-3 months to get back to your baseline. I’m still in pain but certainly not as bad as I was 3 wks out. I hope you recover quickly and sorry you are in pain!

I am 2 1/2 weeks out from a resection. I too am frustrated with the lack of guidance from the surgeon on what to expect post operatively. I have a telephone consult in 2 weeks. That’s it!
I did post earlier that my pain is all on the right side of my abdomen.

I’m new to this so I’m just learning to navigate this site. Sorry if I’m repeating myself. 🙂

i hope you heal quicker then i am , I am 8 months now , and still sore tummy and sore if i eat after 7 in the evening , Best regards and hope you get better sooner x

I had a resection on December 31st. Happy New Year, I guess. I had stage 2 colon cancer and they removed 10". I had 2 severe bouts of diarrhea each lasting a week and a week apart. Strong antibiotics solved that problem. It took a while but I am pretty regular but still have a semi-loose stool. My recovery is good. My 6 month CT showed no cancer. I am 68. Hang in there, it will get better in time.

This has always been one of my pet peeves: the infantilization of women. People will NEVER get a clue about this. If someone calls me a "girl" I go ballistic! At 67, those years are looooong gone! Thank you!