Problems months after colon resection surgery: What Helps?

I had colon resection..laparoscopic AND open due to adhesions on Jan 4. I thought I was healing great. But now it has been 8 weeks and I have hot pains all across lower abdomen and stabbing pain where surgery was. I just had a THIRD cat scan and they say EVERYTHING looks fine...but I HURT and I BURN. I am SO frustrated!

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

The first one was to remove a cancerous tumor and I had two areas that were resected (one was at the sigmoid and the other was removal of ileocecal valve and appendix ovary etc) so two resections. About 10 days after that initial surgery, I was still hospitalized and feeling very sick. It didn’t get better and my drain was producing fecal material so they opened me back up and there was a leak at theresected site (the one at the ileocecal area) Two months later I developed a small bowel obstruction and it wouldn’t clear so they removed a portion of small bowel. Unbeknownst to any of us, my small bowel was possibly knickers and I developed an enterocutaneous fistula. They couldn’t fix it surgically because I was not strong enough for another procedure so we just waited to see if the bowel would heal. Ultimately it didn’t and the fistula broke loose and perforated my colon. I had emergency surgery and a fourth resection. I developed sepsis and also had a small leak so I was put in full bowel rest for 12 weeks (five of those weeks in the hospital)

I am definitely an unusual case and had lots of set backs. But the only thing that I also good things that happened. I never had to have a colostomy and I am now doing really well. I haven’t had any LARS symptoms and I’m able to eat what I normally was (I eat a lot of fruits and vegetables and a somewhat high fiber diet). I feel like because I have ulcerative colitis, my colon probably was already inflamed. At the time, I felt overwhelmed with everything that went on, but I do feel like it all happened the way it had to. I do still have bloating and I don’t think that will ever go away but compared to a lot of people, my struggle is minimal

Hi Colleen,

i had the surgery in mid of March 2022. for full thickness intussusception. as i had to sit around 10 to 30 mins to fully evacuate my bowel. part of sigmoid colon removed

however since surgery, things got worst i feel I cannot even evacuate 10% of what i used to do. only can pass stools if they are watery othersise cannot. and stools are thin like ribbon.

i feel there is some blockage at the point of surgery. had a CT scan yesterday and nothing was found. is it possible that CT scan do not detect anastomosis stricture. should i ask for colonoscopy.

My Surgeon says things will improve by time but it is getting bad, i am sure things are not moving as they should to Rectum.

Look forward to any helpful advice.

I also struggle with ongoing constipation which started right before Christmas. my diet is primarily plant based and lots of fiber
My doctor suggested I try a low residue diet which was difficult for me but I gave it a whirl
Didn't help at all
So I am back on my healthy diet and find that drinking lots of water and staying active and moving really helps
And when all else fails try a dose of miralax
Fortunately things are getting better for me
Good luck
Sally

Hi, everyone. I feel like I have read every single comment and that I know all of you. I have colon resection surgery scheduled for August 10. I am SO scared. Im 50, a mom to five grown children and work for the world's largest tech company and have a very demanding role. I have Stage 4 endometriosis that has wrapped around my sigmoid colon and attached my left ovary to the bowel wall. I also have had five bouts of uncomplicated diverticulitis, Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (weak connective tissue that so far have caused me to lose my gallbladder, uterus, and appendix). I also have lupus. I-am-a-mess. The surgery is "elective" but I've been told that it's just a matter of time before the ovary breaks through the bowel wall. I've also developed narcotic bowel syndrome so pain control after surgery will be an incredible challenge, which is terrifying. I have prayed so hard on the right thing to do, but in addition to my job, I also care for my mother who is also chronically ill. She would be homeless without my assistance. I'm scared of the surgery, of the ongoing issues that all of you have faced, but I'm also scared of the horrific pain I'm in now. I MUST return to work withing four weeks post-surgery, so I am taking note of all the wonderful advice and love you have all given and received on this forum to try to heal as quickly as possible but have a feeling my body will have other plans.

Hang in there, everyday it does get better. Don't measure your situation by projecting what has not happened, yet, or what occurred in different circumstances to others. They don't necessarily apply to your own situation or progress. One thing that did seem to help is that I forced myself to walk around the house every few minutes and returned to easy activities. It raised my expectations and diverted my suffering. Baby steps, like doing the smallest of tasks i.e., emptying the dishwasher even if it takes you twice the time as before. Four or five months from now you will be doing things you can't do right now, and you will feel empowered as you improve.