Sigmoid colon resection: What to expect for recovery?

Hello @mycmusic and welcome to Mayo Connect. Your comments about taking it very gently with diet was important. Perhaps you could post about this in a new discussion group about eating after digestive tract surgery. Here is the link to that discussion. https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/how-do-i-eat-after-digestive-tract-surgery/

I noticed that you said that you introduced new foods "carefully." Was your surgery recent? Are you able to eat more foods as time goes on or are you still limited?

Glad for your success. Your last line says it very well…it requires patience !! I had similar surgery and took it very gently with diet, sometimes used colace for gentle help….introduced new foods very carefully….eventually am eating most healthy, fresh, unprocessed foods…eat 1 dried apricot every afternoon and go normally the next morning, no need for laxatives…we learn to listen to our own bodies ever better to survive as well as possible.best of health to all !

I had a partial colectomy 22 month's ago. They removed two feet of my lower intestine. It's been a rocky road. The first challenge is finding the right fiber to keep things going. I've tried Benefiber/Metamucil/Organic Psyllium and Sunfiber.
I've had success with both Benefiber and Sunfiber. You also need to experiment on the right amount of fiber for your needs.
Finding the right diet for your new intestinal landscape takes time too. Too much fiber and the result is diarrhea. To little causes everything to come to a standstill. Scar tissue can be irritating, but I believe that dissipates with time.
Drinking enough water, taking fiber daily, avoiding gassy foods and some level of regular exercise is the right formula for me. I'm 70 years young (Lol), and I intend to fully get my life back. It just takes time.

I'm glad to hear that you have done so well, @apinzonc0627. You are right when you said that all patients are different.

How frequently do you have follow-up appointments and/or scans?

Hello @jimdiehl,

I'm glad to hear that you are making progress. I understand how difficult it can be. Do you also monitor eating? Are there certain foods or drinks that you avoid?

You mentioned an app through John Hopkins Physical Therapy. Is the app available to everyone?

Cada persona es diferente , yo me opere en el 2022, a los 63 años,todo ha ido excelente gracias a Dios, no he tenido ningun problema hasta la fecha voy para 4 años, sigo en mis chequeos y a la fecha de acuerdo a mi oncologo todo marcha bien gracias a Dios.
Suerte tenga paciencia recuerda no todos los cuerpos son diferentes.
Saludos

I had Rectal Resection in 1986 which removed part of my Sigmoid Colon (I do not know how much). My experience has been similar to yours. Over the past year I have discovered that I can have some impact on my bowel movement, diarrhea, constipation events by alternating between one Dulcolax Soft Chew to relieve constipation or one Loperamide to stop diarrhea. Timing for either is important and has required experimentation and keeping track of bowel habits after either therapy. I recently started an App for overactive bladder and fecal incontinence through Johns Hopkins Physical Therapy and it is also helping. I am happy that after 40 years, I am making progress although the outcomes from surgery and radiation I expect to remain.

I had a partial colectomy 22 month's ago. They removed two feet of my lower intestine. It's been a rocky road. The first challenge is finding the right fiber to keep things going. I've tried Benefiber/Metamucil/Organic Psyllium and Sunfiber.
I've had success with both Benefiber and Sunfiber. You also need to experiment on the right amount of fiber for your needs.
Finding the right diet for your new intestinal landscape takes time too. Too much fiber and the result is diarrhea. To little causes everything to come to a standstill. Scar tissue can be irritating, but I believe that dissipates with time.
Drinking enough water, taking fiber daily, avoiding gassy foods and some level of regular exercise is the right formula for me. I'm 70 years young (Lol), and I intend to fully get my life back. It just takes time.

Everyone is different but I have been having good days and bad days for 4 months now. I’m doing hyperbaric oxygen therapy for my radiation proctitis down there because it hurts to poop it’s like sitting on a cactus.