Sigmoid colon resection: What to expect for recovery?

Been 1 1/2 years since removal of large colon. With resection. Still lots of gas, loose stools, frequent stools, indigestion.

Hi corn50. I’m jumping on board here, hoping that chat members will weigh in who have had a colon re-section surgery OR any surgery where there has been other issues as an overcome from the original diagnosis/ surgery. Or just weigh in and say how u r doing. I came home with c-diff and thought it was just MY body going through what many experience. Well, not so much. So, two rounds of vanco to take care of the c-diff (I hope) and I’m still dealing with frequency, eating patterns to try to control the time of day when I empty out. Healing at a snail's pace. Some indigestion, food sensitivity, gas-sound familiar??? A new one that just happen in the middle of the night-acid reflux. I guess this is not uncommon at 3-4 months. (Check out the digestive health section and/or colon re-section specifically) So, if you have any advice or have any of symptoms and r wondering what is the next step (like me) love to hear from you. Virgo 1952

I had the surgery and they took out 14” because of diverticulitis. Was left with a 8” vertical scar that started 3” above the navel & extended 5” below it. My only problem was repeat visits where they used balloons to stretch everything out again. He used the analogy that the existing colon was like waistband on an old pair of underwear and the stapled section was like the waistband on a new pair. Not kidding. Like everyone says each individual is different the thing you don’t want to do is to go full throttle when you start to feel good. At Mayo I ran into several people who who figured they were near 100% and regretted their rush back to normalcy.

I would enjoy hearing others stories or encouraging others who are waiting or recuperating.

Love to participate.

Hey bamagirl..... this is the part that stumps colon resection patients or surgery in “those” areas of the body. I think giving any definite outcome to a patient may not be advisable. Apparently, anyone that has this surgery is not like anyone else. I had 12+” after my colonoscopy showed cancer, the 45 year old male patient, choose to have surgery because of pain and discomfort (if I remember right) , another person had pancreatic issues in addition to her colon surgery, and you have had a series of surgeries that have been medically (I’m assuming) related. Knowing all this , I try to keep my chats simple and take that info into account. I am a very healthy 67 year old. I have a very clean diet, exercise daily, etc and still had this happen. If nothing else, I have become aware that this is now a weak area of my body and that my continued healthy lifestyle and my diligence in my medical responsibility (wellness exams, screening, vaccinations) will keep me as healthy as I can be. The rest is sometimes not in our control. I also had a complete hysterectomy when I was 32 years old, due to a IUD that was found dangerous and I was part of a class action suit. So, there you go, how do we that these conditions/surgeries are not somehow part of the “chain” of events that have brought us to this point in life???? Who knows

@corn50 and @bamagirlxyz, it is so helpful to hear from others who have been there. I agree with both of you that one must remain vigilant when experiencing symptoms. Having one cancer or serious health issues unfortunately does not exempt you from another.

Corn50, you may also be interested in following the Transplants group https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/transplants/
Bamagirlxyz, I'd like to invite you to follow the Gynecologic Cancers group https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/gynecologic-cancer/

Sharing your stories in relevant discussions in these groups will most certainly give valuable information and support to other members.

Oh gosh, congrats on finding treatable issues, and having them taken care of. My issues were different than yours, but here is my story. I had a radical hysterectomy along with radiation and chemo in 2001, due to uterine cancer. All good, but in 2017 I began having excruciating pains. It was found, with difficulty, that I had adhesions wrapped around the small colon, and I had a resection of about 7 to 8” Of the small intestine. Two years later, I am still dealing with diarrhea, sometimes gas pain that is overwhelming. But, I am ‘healthy’ and exercise, walk, and play tennis. I have to be able to ‘escape’ When in groups, due to gas. You will adjust - it is never ‘the same’, but you are alive!

I had this surgery in 09/12. Yes, there were some issues, it just becomes your “new normal”. The doctors-discovered some pancreas issues before the colon resection. That was satisfied, then watched as it reared again in a few years. In 11/17 I had a liver transplant, then in 07/18, I had to have pancreas surgery. You are better off maintaining a positive attitude, accepting your “new life”, being thankful for EVERY day and looking around - there are people everywhere in much worse situations. I am so grateful for my organ donor and Mayo Clinic for the transplant and pancreas surgery. It is full of skilled physicians, nurses and techs and EVERYONE there is a truly caring angel! Smile and enjoy life!

I’ll try the Keifer, currently taking a probiotic too. Thanks for the info!