Problems months after colon resection surgery: What Helps?

I can relate to you 100%. I too have had colon resection and it's been 3 months. I wish I never had this surgery. My quality of life is worst now than before the surgery. No matter what I eat I feel lousy and always constipated. Has anyone out there had their Sigmoid colon removed? The stool now goes directly to the rectum and sits there. I have tried everything. I believe the colon is not stimulated enough so now I am doing acupressure and it helps a little. I am in such a depression that my next step is to see a therapist for medication to help me through this horrible phase. I am praying for you all.

I don't think that 3 months post colon surgery is really enough time to be indicative of anything.
You may be expecting too much too soon or maybe just frustrated which is understandable.
You can find right here the stories of a hundred colon resection patients that are struggling with diarrhea and constipation a year after surgery. There are many more who have bowel problems years after colon surgery.
Every case can be dissimilar in numerous ways as no two patients and no two surgeries can be said to be identical.
Even at 3 months, I hope you are sharing your concerns with your doctors.
For as much as a doctor might feel that what you are experiencing is normal at this point, a proper diet must be found. You cannot give up because if you do, you will never improve.
There is light at the end of this tunnel and while we are all at various stages of this journey, no two stories are alike. You have to find what works for you.
I hope that you are making use of the abundance of online research that is available. We have all improved our knowledge over time of all things medical that has benefited our recovery and quality of life.
Best wishes to you always!

This is the worst surgery and I regret having it done. After 3months iam still dealing with problems. Newest problem I can't eat. Does anyone else have this problem

Try enzymes. I am a year post op and just getting somewhat normal. My problem was constant diarrhea and I was pooing about 12 times a day.

No pain like yours, but it has been over a year since my surgery and digestion is just starting to get kinda normal. Enzymes seem to be the answer.

Welcome, @samantha1994. Did you also have colon surgery?

Hi, I hope you feeling better now. Did you see your oncologist after you experience those symptoms, what did he says?

mrsbryant2032
Yes it is discouraging. I am 8 months post op also. Had a diverticulitis flareup that didn't want to go away. Started in mid February 2022. After every two weeks of double antibiotics and after a colonoscopy in early April, I finally pleaded with my gastro doctor to help me find a way to get better. Finally in Early June 2022 I had a sigmoidectomy to remove the infected area. Pathology was no cancer but flareup still infected and abscessing. Positive with c diff in the hospital in June after surgery. c diff didn't go away so in Oct 2022 I was hospitalized for a week to get that under control. Still feel that it is in there waiting to rear it's ugly head. Does this ever end?
So careful to not get constipated but going seems to leave me weak.
Sorry... Just venting.

Hi @karina1954, I'm sorry to hear that you're still experiencing pain 9 months after colon resection. I moved your message to this existing discussion.
- Problems months after colon resection surgery: What Helps? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/three-months-after-colon-surgery/

Clearly you are not alone. Members like @mothermary1 @shelamac65 @branckerd @phyllmikey @philly318 @lsdd13 have added recent posts to this discussion offering tips that help.

Karina, have you talked to your surgeon about the pain you're dealing with?

Hi, not sure if you’ll even see this but I need to reach out. I’ve had severe motility since having cervical fusion in June 2020. I had the surgery through the front of my neck. I had 3 cages put in. It was a 6 hour surgery. I woke up but my bowels never did and have not on their own since. I was scheduled September 2021 for total colectomy in Boston but canceled. The surgeon understood all my worries and said keep searching let’s reschedule January 2022. I canceled. I can’t wrap my head around this surgery because I can’t have a bowel movement. It makes no sense. I’ve had so many tests and every medication possible and I’ll go sometimes but never without something. My problem is severe allergies to drugs, many. I can’t take any pain meds ever. All the drugs like linzess and amitiza caused me severe reactions. Problem is I’m 68. Is it worth it? I read all these awful recovery stories and I just don’t know if I have it in me anymore to do it. I’m terrified to have a Gastro nasal tube in for days. I’m retired from 30 years working in a hospital so I’ve seen it all. I have an appointment on Friday and those words again I’m hearing, out of options again Joanne. Right now I’m on erythromycin 3 times a day for gastroparesis and had to stop amitiza for breathing issues but wasn’t working anyway. I just couldn’t function. I can’t imagine forfeiting this life at 68 for that recovery life which sounds just as bad. If you see this I hope you respond. I’m so curious how many folks do this for poor cut motility. Also, how how are most. Thanks for listening,hope this finds someone and you’ll respond.
Thanks…Joanne