Problems months after colon resection surgery: What Helps?

Same here. Things started getting better but then suddenly stopped working. Laxatives make the sensation of blowing up and about to explode but won’t come out normally. Have to use enemas daily. It’s been SIX months post surgery. They are going to do scope to look at the connection. But have to wait 7 weeks for the appointment. Misery.

My surgeon recommended I tsp Metamucil with 8 oz water in am and 1 Tbsp with 8 oz water after dinner. Mix well. Must try for a few days before things start to solidify and bind up.

I have no idea why these surgeons give this kind of disinformation to their post surgical patients when the nurses in the floor have a COMPLETELY DIFFERENT tale to tell. The surgeon told me I’d be up and at ‘em in THREE weeks post colectomy! It took four months for me to start my daily walks and it is six months now and I still have horrific bowel dysregulation - one day the runs, the next stuck, and now an”balloon” sensation in my lower left where the surgery was.

May I ask a question about having a stool test done. Over many years and maybe due to radiation of pelvis (cervix) a long time ago I have frequent diarrhea; my souse also does now after about 6 yrs ago radiation, anal cancer; we eat a reasonably plain diet and have diarrhea many times thru the week and take IMODIUM/loperamide. Anyway lately it has been so often and 2018 I had C.diff from too many antibiotics for bladder infections, it was awful. Now with us both going so much and I see mucous in my stool and wondering if we should both have fecal test for bugs, c.diff, Giardia???
QUESTION is though i have read not to take anti-dirrhea meds for TEN DAYS before stool test which is almost impossible.... what can we do??? I already have had 7 bms with only one IMODIUM ... if we stop taking imodium for ten days I dont know how to stop the diarrhea etc. Any suggestions please??

I am eight weeks out from having a sigmoidectomy. No cancer. It was due to having a smoldering area of diverticulitis.
I am trying to venture out and eat more fibrous meals. I don’t think the doctors really understand how it feels to be restricted in your diet and then have to get back into eating normal again.
It’s definitely a one thing at a time and one day at a time thing.
Things taste so good when you’re eating them but sometimes your G.I. tract and colon doesn’t always agree afterwards. So this is where I am. Just trial and error. Looking forward to getting back to eating whatever normal is. After not having nuts or seeds are popcorn for the last 12 years even with my Sigmoid: removed I don’t believe I will ever try to go back to eating any of those. I have been conditioned.
I have been trying to eat salads and dad has been nice. Very nice in fact. A little nervous trying broccoli for the first time. Don’t feel like being gassy. Might put that off for a few more weeks. Hugs to all on here. I’m sure you wouldn’t be on here unless you were seeking answers.

I'm having the exact same symptoms. On the 11 weeks into surgery. I'm really nervous. Get to see my oncologist hopefully he may shed some light on this. Good Luck...if not I may go to emg.

Certainly, you are eating healthy foods to achieve optimal results. I agree about popcorn. I tried eating a small amount only once and my body let me know right away it was rebelling and declaring war on my digestive system.

Thank you and appreciate it. I am just starting to eat some high fiber.

I eat a diet pretty much identical to what I ate prior. I have been gluten and wheat free for a long time, so I don’t eat any bread or cereal products with much fiber because the GF varieties are pretty stripped. But I eat salads every night, cucumbers (with skin), brocolli and brussel sproits, green beans (both cooked and raw) apples and berries. I also have a shake daily that does have a lot to superfoods and fiber in it, and protein bars with fiber. I eat all types of protein and the only foods I really avoid or limit are popcorn.

May I ask what are the high fiber diets you eat. Along with my resection I have diabetes and gastroparesis so my diet is totally messed up.
Thanks,
Karina