Problems months after colon resection surgery: What Helps?

You poor thing!

Hi I did some research over the weekend and they say bladder issues are more common than we know after colon surgery. About 2 weeks after surgery, I felt like I was getting a UTI.... frequency, fullness, some burning at end of urinating in the morning.. just an on off uncomfortable feeling. I plan on talking to surgeon about it. My other unusual symptom is constant feeling of pressure in my rectum. It’s uncomfortable! Will I ever get my body back???? Stinks😢

@lorijbq Hi Lori, I really do understand what you mean when you say that this site is a God-send. I felt the same way after my first post over 5 years ago. I'm not sure that I've read about anyone having bladder issues after colon surgery.

Connect does have a discussion group on Bladder/Kidney issues. You might try to post about this problem on that discussion group. Perhaps you will find someone who has had a similar problem. Here is the link to those discussions, https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/kidney-conditions/

If you are comfortable sharing more, could you describe what type of bladder issues you are having? Is it incontinence, frequency, burning, or pain when you urinate?

Yes I will! Has anyone else had bladder issues after colon surgery? I was planning on returning to work June 14th but I don’t see that happening. My job is physical. This site with others that understand is really a God send🙏🏻

I had colon resection at Cedar’s Sinai on 2/4/21 due to a very large diverticulum that was hitting my Fallopian tube and ureter. So it has been 2 1/2 months and I have had various problems. The pain on the right side where the robot entered has subsided, but off and on, my whole stomach area aches, especially where the main 1” incision to remove the diseased section is. My main concern has been the pencil thin soft stools,
for which I have to strain to evacuate. It comes and goes and sometimes for a day or so, I have almost normal bowel movements, but ar least 4 to 5 times a day, once in a while very suddenly, almost incontinent.
My surgeon said muscle spasms in my rectum could have been triggered by the surgery and prescribed a compounded gel to insert as well as fairly hot sitz baths. Did not help so he referred me to a rectal physical therapist (really), who recommended more frequent Kegel excercises and special massages of the colon to encourage relaxation and movement.
He also said to increase my Benefiber intake and I read somewhere to mix it with applesauce or peanut butter, not drinking liquids for at least an hour.
However, every time I try to eat fairly normal food, I revert back to the pencil thin stools. The surgeon now said there is a very slight possibility that I have a structure where the colon was stapled back together. Hope not!! Not another surgery! It does not seem likely since I sometimes have a normally formed stool. I am having a special rectal MRI (defecography?) on 6/25 to see what is going on. It will show problems in all areas of the colon.
Am I being too impatient, expecting fairly normal bowel movements, or at least a steady improvement?

Hi, it took me a good 4-6 months to feel 95% better. I had a sharp pain at one of my incisions. It seemed to be nerve pain and took gabapentin at night for a week or so and that seemed to help.I don’t take it anymore. I’m at 9 months post—op and still have bouts of diarrhea if I do not take my Metamucil and loperamide. It’s difficult to get through but you will. Keep connecting with your surgeon with any questions and or issues come up. It’s been very helpful for me to have zoom appointments every other month for these past 9 months. Good luck and I hope things calm down for you.

@lorijbq While I can't tell you what to expect, I can share my experiences with you. At ages 53 and 55 I had invasive surgeries of the upper digestive tract. I was in the hospital for about 7 days after each surgery. The second surgery took a bit more recovery time than the first. I didn't notice a great difference in stamina and pain until after 6 weeks. I really begin to feel back to normal after 6 months. So you see, it does take more time.

When you have an invasive surgery and your digestive tract is altered through a surgical procedure it takes all of the parts a while to find their new normal. It is not a quick recovery so allow yourself the gift of time and rest as much as you can, try gentle exercise as best you can and appreciate the adjustment that your body needs to make.

After you get some feedback regarding these new symptoms from your doctor, will you let me know how you are doing?

Yes I will first thing Monday morning. The pain in my bellybutton has subsided. It’s just everyday it’s something née and scary. My plumbing feels like it will never be the same. I am 61. The doctors talked me into this because of reoccurring diverticulitis. Said if I do it now my chances of ending up with a bag were much lower than if I wait. So I agreed. Everything about me is different. I lost all muscle mass due to weight loss too. Maybe I’m expecting too much at 5 weeks.

Yes, I'm sure you were hoping to feel better by this time, @lorijbq. You don't mention your age, however, many of us have found that healing takes more time as we get older.

It is important to take care of yourself now. I really think it is important to report these new symptoms to your doctor. If these symptoms worsen, please go to a walk-in clinic or the Emergency Department of the hospital where the surgery was performed.

Will you call your doctor's office and explain how you are feeling?

Yes, I’ve had 2 post op appointments. Dr said if I have any issues to call office otherwise we are done. Surgery was April 13 th. I just expected to be better than how I feel by now.