Problems months after colon resection surgery: What Helps?

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.

Thank you! I am trying to be upbeat and it seems I am slowly getting better and maybe won’t keep regressing. I have reservations at a B&B in late June that requires a 3 hour drive. I might be visiting a couple of gas station restrooms along the way.🤣

Thanks for your comments. Actually, it has been 3 1/2 months since surgery., not 2 1/2. I tried to correct my comment but it was too late. I will let you know what the 6/25 MRI shows. As another writer on this site wrote, I had the feeling I had a UTI after surgery but it only lasted the 7 days I was in the hospital. They tested me a couple of times upon my request but the finding was always negative. And I have the pressure in my rectum like the other writer reported. Feels like hemorrhoids but I don’t have them. Weird symptoms seem common.

Hi again Karen, I think I’m replying to the right comment. Thank you so much for your description of your resection and apoendux removal. I’m still facing my surgery for the same identical surgery. I’m 83 and Caregiver for 91 yr old husband, with 5 chronic illnesses! I’ve been on here several times.. 2 yrs and 4 mo. ago diagnosed with a serrated, sessile polyp in appendix... my surgeon of 8 yrs just procrastinated to final conclusion after 2 more colonoscopies 3 catscans... that
“BONNIE, we all will go there someday!!!” Speaking of Heaven I assumed! I wanted yet a Referral to Mayo... hus reply “ sure! I’ll write whatever you want!! They like that ‘weird stuff!!!! I left and never went back... got 2 more opinions and fortunately after more dismissal from UTSW Dr. !! Wrong conclusion!! I pursued yet one more surgeon I’m trusting in! But not knowing ‘if’ cancer exists in these now old polyps... precancerous!!) gave ne a potion 1 and option 2... option one was removal of appendix and polyp in appendeceal orifice.. send for lab tests... if it’s cancerous then do the resection! But he gave me option 2.. to go ahead with resection to begin w/including of course removal of appendix and polyp??! Like they did to you... now you have healing and pain issues! I’m so freaking out as I must keep caring for my 91 yr old husband! I am taking the option one (#1) of course, hoping it stops there! Thank you so much for your info. Best of luck and prayers for further healing. I love to talk to you if that’s an option from this website. Bonita (BONNIE) Fitzgerald-Bernstein🙏

Hi @lorijbq

How great that you did some research! Yes, I think that a phone call with your surgeon or one of his nurses might be helpful as you have discovered from research that bladder issues can be a result of colon surgery.

I would be interested in hearing if your phone call provides you with more information. After you talk with your doctor's office can you post an update?

Hello @robinmacdonald

I can certainly understand your frustration. These are not comfortable problems to have! I am glad to see that you are following up with various tests. I hope that you will be able to reconcile these problems without surgery. I know that no one wants to have repeated surgical interventions. The 6/25 MRI should give you some good information.

I certainly do understand your physical therapy. I have also seen a pelvic floor therapist who also gave me massage instructions, as well as breathing exercises, ideas about diet, etc. It was helpful but not a cure-all.

Since going back to your "normal" eating plan is not working for you, I would keep with the plan that you were following until you get back the MRI results and understand better the problem. It could be that your digestive tract simply needs more healing time in order to get adjusted to the changes that resulted from surgery.

Will you post again and update me on how you are doing?