Problems months after colon resection surgery: What Helps?

I'm an AML Leukeamia survivor mate. My oncologist sent me to a colorectal oncologist. So perhaps they wanted to be *uber careful. And, I'm definitely still feeling like sh*te. I just think things can be smoother for patients. I understand the lingo fine. In fact, I practiced law for a decade, got I'll went back to university in order to go to medical school in my mid 40's. I'll be taking the MCAT this June. I hope to be a patients advocate when I'm done. My medical history is riddled with physicians that could care less. So, yes I'm a cheeky b*stard😆.

It’s the medical lingo. That’s the area where my re-section was performed. I had enough of my sigmoid to re-attach and I didnot require a colostomy bag. Also checked my lymph nodes for cancer and they were clear. Your inflammation and pockets caused damage (I’m assuming) and that is why you had a re-section. Different situations, but same approach. Mine to stop the spread of cancer and yours(?) due to damage. I guessing from what you have shared. Get out your dictionary and learn some new words!!! It’s a language in the medical world. You must be feeling better,. getting feisty???? It can frustrating.

Here's an odd tidbit...I had a Robotic Xi sigmoidectomy, however on the hospital release info it says "LAR" Lower Anterior Resection. To my knowledge none of my rectum was removed, only my entire Sigmoid and about 3 inches of my descending colon. Why can't things just be straight forward🤬???

I remember asking similar questions of others. Joined the Digestive Health group too, when I was diagnosed with c-diff. That was helpful also. It’s very confusing and scary for many reasons. The medical world has changed. Better care in many ways, but I think information is limited and/or can be censored. Fear of legal responsibility. You have to be informed. Ask questions. Be ready to “rock” the boat if necessary. sasha

Thanks for sharing your insights, @virgo1952. It is so helpful to hear from others who’ve been there.

Welcome to Connect, @jacob73. I'd like to bring fellow members @sundance6 @corn50 @bamagirlxyz @1943 @rdmishio @mosito @wibly @lisag03 @jmccabe51 @adrianspa @readingteacher and others into this discussion as they have experiences with the recovery after sigmoid colon resection or that of a loved one. You may also be interested in reading this discussion that talks about some of the issues you're experiencing

– Sigmoid colon resection: What to expect for recovery? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/sigmoid-colon-resection-10282019/

With regard to the incision, have you spoken to a wound specialist, @jacob73?

Cheers for the info pal. I knew this bollocks of 6 week heal time was twaddle. My body is knackered, my stomach looks like I've fought a heavy weight boxer, there's no bloody way a person can be back to normal in that time frame. I'm giving it a year at minimum.

Today I'm in a lot of pain. Had two doses of pain meds. I told the doc I'd do without and he told me that's literally insane. He was right. I need them for now. I'm taking miralax at bedtime to offset the opiate constipation.

Is anyone's exit cite for their extraction directly above their privates? My incision there is about 3 or so inches. The robot arm must have really been busy in that incision, because I'm black, blue, and yellow. In fact the top of my penid is bruised with noticeable swelling around my testicles. I was told the bruising moves down and this is to be expected.. not by me I can tell ya😆😆. Anyway, this whole ordeal royally sucks lads.

Hello fellow re-section-ers (?). I had a colon resection the end of October,2019; and joined when no one in my area could give me info/answers to what the heck was going on with my body. In addition, I was diagnosed positive for a bacterial infection that I don’t need to expand upon. Only, that it may have extended my healing process. It is now mid February and I am not house bound, doing scheduled eating for better bowel control (generally emptying out in the early evening hours) and back to my daily exercise routine. Not perfect, but so much better. I probably “turned” that corner around two months. It may be different for each of us, but you will know when it starts. Mostly, for me, my eating was limited due to nausea and taste was off. Sweet was my worst. Weight loss, nice but not like this, bowel urges and frequency, with sometimes disappointing outcome (yes, I was a toilet hugger), some pain/tenderness around my incision (learned bearing down was not good)! and low energy. All that has gotten better and I hope it continues as time goes on. The six week recovery that my doctor spouted has turned into a more realistic 3-4 month recovery. So, be patient and take good care of yourself. I find I still experience occasional abdominal pain; but have found drinking citracel helped. Also, gas pills. I hope that is helpful to someone. This information I got from others who reached out to me when I needed help.

Hello mate, I just had my sigmoid resection last Wednesday 12/02/2020. This may be a bit long. I'm at home under a blanket writing this as that's about as much energy as I have at the moment😆.

I chose to do this surgery electively as I've been in hospital 2x in 3 months, with three visits to A&E. I had enough of the pain, and didn't want to risk getting a bag. I knew right away the diverticulitis was chronic. Let me say this, I'm happy I did the surgery but, the aftermath is utter sh*te. The pain is ridiculous. I was terrified by this surgery. Can't tell you how bloody happy I was to wake up👍🏻. Bit of background, I'm a 46 year old make with a fairly healthy past...mostly. I'm a runner, and have a mostly healthy diet. The only thing I'm making a change lifestyle wise is my alcohol intake. I was a moderate drinker, now I'm only an occasional weekend drinker. Never had any issues mind you, this surgery just had me thinking I'm going to sort some bad habits.

Where, was I🤔? Right, the surgery...after waking up the pain was manageable. By Wednesday night it hurt badly. The following day was by far the worst. I was on Dilaudid until that evening, after which norco. Went home Friday late afternoon. Very difficult get adjusted to getting up and down at home. You also have to stay on top of the pain or you'll be playing catch up for half a day. For the first day and a half I continued to have bloody stools. My doctor said its normal to for up to 5 weeks😱. That seems odd to be fair. Anyway, my BM's were without any blood up until the third bm I passed this morning which was small and mixed poo with blood. Yesterday, I had a chocolate Shake which gave me diarrhoea. All those bm's were normal poo with no blood. I'm not sure what was going on with that earlier bm. My stomach has been gurgling but not overly gassy today. To be honest my entire stomach hurts.

So far going to the bathroom is a very, very odd sensation. Things seem very different. And, obviously my abdominal muscles are cut so pushing at all hurts.

I'm drinking loads of water, walking, and breathing into that device so one doesn't get pneumonia. I'm doing everything I can to get well. I just hope things go better than most on here. Trying to be positive👍🏻👌🏼.

I had a colon resection- robotic- 2 months ago. I have had recurring pelvic pain when I cough, jog. Anyone else have these recurring symptoms?

Rather depends on where the incision is...tummy location or rectal. Pain rather excruciating when you are just 'out' of hospital...be more into 5 or 6 mos after before deciding "wrong choice"