Sigmoid colon resection: What to expect for recovery?

I'm 9 months from my operation and still have accidents if I eat the wrong thing. Raw veggies are still too hard to digest, starchy things like baked potatoes, pasta seem to digest better. I was always a salad person and I really miss them, but I know I will not be going anywhere the next day.
Cholystramine gave me cramps and it's not cheap either! Wish I could share it with someone, Metamucil didn't work either just gave me more diarrhea.
Talking to someone else who has had this operation they also say there isn't enough information about healing. I think it's each individuals healing process is different. He said it took over a year not to have accidents.
I have extra clothes in the car and sometimes extra undies in my purse, and yes I still get tired now and then.
Wish there was more information out there but this group is very helpful knowing you aren't alone with this issue.
Best thing I can say is relax and take it easy for now.

Ask about cholystramine. That’s what my GI gave me when I had diarrhea from chemo. It can be used multiple times a day, but doesn’t have the fiber that Metamucil has. You may be able to use Metamucil later, but the fiber can be an issue (you don’t want to get a blockage). I found that eating things like eggs, yogurt, and drinking smoothies helped. I didn’t have much of an appetite either, and was very low weight, so had to force myself to drink shakes. You still have a lot of healing to do, and it’s normal to be tired and fatigued. It’s a big surgery. I found that the 8 week timeline given by surgeons is just a general timeline but it takes much longer than that to feel better.
I’ve never heard of a heating pad causing a perforation or a leak. I would check with your doctor on the validity of that. I used a heating pad often. I had two bowel leaks and one perforation, neither caused by the heating pad. Even though you don’t feel up to movement, I would try to walk as much as possible. It really helps with recovery and helps your pelvic floor gain back strength. Ask about physical therapy as well.

I'd love to know what your surgeon defines as a regular diet ! After only 8 weeks... really ? Never heard of such.
Your bowels were never intended to be "normal at 8 weeks ! And eating a regular diet will never help !
Needing rest and sleep IS normal at 8 weeks. Lay down all you want but lose the heating pad !!
Your colon has not healed and heat, even hot food and drink can be detrimental to the resection, as in causing a leak or worse case, a total separation.
Your bowels will probably start to improve in a year.
You should be eating only food that is very easily digested. Look it up. Do some research on all of this.
Oh, and one last thought.... forget the vacation. You are not ready and you will have a miserable time. Or go and tell me I was right !
Paul

So glad I found this group! I’m 2 months out from a sigmoid colectomy and am still not feeling good. Just started this week with queasy stomach. BMs not normal at all. Never know what to eat, even though my surgeon said I could eat a regular diet. And I have no energy or desire to do anything except lay down with a heating pad on my gut. No obvious places of pain. Can’t get anyone at my Gastro office-always goes to voicemail. Feeling very discouraged. How long will it take to feel normal again?? We go on vacation in a month, and I’m beginning to dread the thought of it. Help!

Thank you for the reply, I have tried Metamucil and it didn't work for me, Imodium seems to work but my doctor doesn't want me to take it, so far it's the only thing that has worked.
I may have to go to a specialist, since my GP doesn't know what to do and I'm getting really tired of this! Was very active before this, went dancing, walking , etc. Now I'm afraid of a accident so I am staying home a lot.
Thanks again for the reply.

I know the feeling, it's hard for people to understand what you are going through.
Hope it's getting a little better, and glad they have this forum. Thought I was the only one with this problem. Wish there was a general answer for all of us.

So sorry for your experience during the hurricane. Glad it's over... now for getting a good plan together for healing and getting stronger. Tell your doctors that's your goal and you NEED their direction and regular visits until you the best you can be. Change doctors if you must to get the help you want and deserve. Keep as positive as you can and don't give up.

I used Metamucil daily for both diarrhea AND infrequent constipation. I was surprised it works for both. Doctor told me it would and he was right!

It should have been powder not power!

Had my sigmoid colon resection Sept 2022, the day before the hurricane! I live in Florida, and didn't know which was worse!
I had to go to Emergency Room and found out the colon attached to the bladder and both were infected. After waiting 15 hours in the ER, I lost control of my bladder and laid there almost the whole 15 hours in wet pants, by then I didn't care!
After the surgery which was caused by diverticulitis, I was not told what to expect, went home and had lots of accidents. Which I still have if I don't watch what I eat, and when I eat.
For some reason I am have really bad cramps and don't know if it's from the Cholestyramine the doctor prescribed to control the diarrhea which it has to a point, it's not so runny but the cramping is awful. Has anyone else tired this power?
I was happy to see some answers on here, thought I was the only one with this issue! It's been 9 months and I still have issues. Sure wish the doctor had giving some clue as to what to expect, I miss salad more than anything but they don't work anymore.

Okay. That makes me feel a lil better I blender with them Thursday I have had no fair ups and then 5 since Jan of this year. It’s been a time for sure. I feel like I’m loosing everything right now. Job weight sanity. Diverticulitis is horrible.