Problems months after colon resection surgery: What Helps?

Hi, I am sorry this is harder for you. I only have one main 1 inch incision where the diseased colon was removed and 5 other little incisions that on the surface look good but sometimes hurt and my stomach is still distended. The colon massages my therapist has me doing help but sometimes my stomach feels sore. The massages are of the ascending, transverse and descending colon that runs in an upside down U, with the transverse colon running across right under the ribs and the two sides running up and down near the hips. It seems to help move things along. That and the Kegels and very deep breathing has helped. Have your doctor refer you to pelvic floor or rectum physical therapy and to a dietician to help you with what you can eat. Cream of wheat, applesauce, ground meats, canned green beans and canned fruits, white rice/mashed potatoes and lactose free drinks and foods seem to help me. And smaller, more frequent meals. The Culturelle probiotic and Benefiber help a lot and the enzymes from Whole Foods might help you with gas.
I had pain at the resection for a couple of months and it always went with gas and was told that even the pain right under my rib was from gas in the colon there. Felt like a heart attack once.

I’m with you. 3 months after colon resection, I still feel aweful. Pain in incisions, spasms in my bladder, and anything I eat I get bad gas pains. I’m also still swollen around c section cut and big hole above it. I’m not the same! So depressed

Same here!

Four months post robotic, laparoscopic colon resection and still have frequent (although decreasing to about 5 a day) bowel movements and i have to push to evacuate even though the stool is very soft. Surgeon referred me to rectal physical therapy (pelvic floor, especially Kegel exercises). That and the passing of time has helped but I still must be careful what I eat. Also, I mix Benefiber with applesauce an hour before drinking liquids and that helps with constipation. I take IB Gard, Culturelle probiotics and Digestive enzymes. Not sure what helps. Have some sharp pain at resection infrequently (gas, I believe) and achy soreness at incision sites but manageable. .

No burning but I have pressure and frequency

Pain at incision site after eating something with fiber, too salty, too sweet etc.

Doc told me 3 weeks after mine” you can eat whatever you want”. Yeh, wrong!!!!!! I ate eggplant last night and had a severe stomach ache! It’s been 5 weeks post op. I get pains and spasms every day. What makes you feel hasn’t healed???

It’s been 6 months since my surgery. I feel like it never healed. Diet still extremely restricted. Drs have no answers. Anyone else take this long to heal after bowel resection?

Hi @robinmacdonald

I appreciate the information you provided @lorijbq about the after-effects of your surgery on the bladder. Knowing that someone else experienced the same thing will offer her some hope.

You are probably right about the location of the colon and bladder causing related problems.

I'm glad you are doing better now.

I did have the symptoms of a UTI after my colon resection but they only lasted the 7 days I was in the hospital and I tested negative for an actual infection. I was assigned a urologist while at Cedars Sinai and he kept track of me. Seems bladder issues are common and I think I was told this is because the bladder is so near the colon and pressure can be put on it during surgery. Maybe bruised? Just a thought.