Have you had a Colon Resection?

[Buckshot323]

For all out there who have had a Colon Resection-

How long after surgery did your insides feel different?

I am almost 7 months post "Open" surgery and my insides still feel a little different. It's not the same as Diverticulitis symptoms and it's not pain but at times I still feel that things can be a little touchy or not everything is completely back in place or maybe it is some scare tissue or adhesions. It is not a problem but I can feel it at times, most notably when I over eat. I find that since surgery I don 't want to fill up like the old days but I do sometimes, then I can feel things are still not back to normal. I also feel it a little when I am bloated or gassy.I have discussed it with the surgeon and it is normal and it could be even a couple years before you don't have some of those feelings in there. If you are looking at having surgery don't be alarmed by this discussion as it is not pain but you do know that some was in there messing with your insides. Since surgery I have not restricted my diet in any way or stayed away from any foods. I eat popcorn and nuts occasionally but not as much as I used to. I have not had the urge to eat much steak, although we went out tonight and had an unbelievable Filet Mignon cooked medium. The only thing my surgeon said to be careful of was red meat and if you did eat it, to cook it well done. But I could NOT order a $30 12 oz Filet WELL DONE! Perhaps his general caution of red meat is the reason I don't have as much of a desire for it now.

My point here is to start a discussion about the long term after affects of the surgery. I want to know how you feel after the general recovery period, like 6 months or more after surgery. I'm not sure how many people keep up with this site like I have after their surgery. If you respond please note if you had "open" or "laparoscopic". I would assume because mine was “open” I will have those internal feeling longer but that may not be the case. Even if that were true, when I consider all factors, I would still choose to have the “Open” surgery.

I hope to hear what others who have had the surgery have to say about their long-term results.

Nov 25th 2009 update - It's been a long time since I've had any post Operative symptoms mentioned above. I do not have any daily reminders of the operation as far as diet or bodily functions are concerned unless I look in the mirror and see the scar!

[Les H]

I had the open surgery at the beginning of April and I'm very happy to have gone through with the surgeries (although my first one was emergency and not by choice).

I only changed my diet to be healthier, and I avoid popcorn... but I still eat a lot of seeds, grains & nuts with no problems.

I don't notice any internal sensations, and haven't really since about 6 weeks after the surgery. I do notice that when I eat to over-fullness that my scar will be tender, as if being pushed out a bit. But as for the pipes, all is working better than it has since I can remember. I poop like a man now!!

My doctor did say I had a remarkebly well recovery. I was in on a monday, out on saturday, and back in the gym on sunday. I'm only 35, so the age helps.

So yeah, my only lingering pain is all scar/surface stuff... its right at the belt line, always being irritated by clothes.

As for other things to know post surgery... I don't find the urge to 'go' being any more dramatic, but I do find it to be a lot more frequent. Which is good. I'm sure I wasn't nearly as regular as I should've been in the past. I term it as "Food in, food out". With a foot less colon, and a healthy Sigmoid section, one should definitely take that into account as things to expect post surgery. About 3-4 times daily is the norm for me now... although I'm sure the double dosage of Benifiber I'm told to take helps too.

~Les

[Buckshot323]

Les

Glad to hear you are going great. That surgery was sure better then the pain wasn't it.

Ditto on the clothes rubbing the incision being the primary post surgery problem. I still wear loose fitting short sweats whenever I can. I just had hernia surgery and that 3 1/2 inch scar is right on the underwear/belt line too. Had a knee done last week too, it's been a tough year.

Congrats on you’re new found manhood!

Back in the gym in 7 days is remarkable. You must be a workout freak because I bet the doctor didn't recommend that. Don't tell me you were doing power squats that quickly. I was out in 4 1/2 days too, but I had 39 staples for either 10 days or two weeks. What were you actually doing in the gym at 1 week? I’m 50 and I was out and about walking the neighborhood at a week but I could not have gone to the gym.

[ferlez007]

I had an OPEN surgey 2 months ago (no colonostomy) feeling much better except fro some pain while gas goes thru my colon - my surgeon says it is normal but I will visit the internist today (who is much more detailed in his methods) - besides that I feel fine - no problems with wht I eat but still sticking to low portions and no spicey or grease foods.

Take care

[chinabeach]

Hello everyone
I've had colon resection surgery back on April 7 of this year.The doctor removed my sigmoid colon.The surgery was open surgery as I also has a Fistula.Everything went well was out of hospital 7 days after surgery.I'm still finding it difficult figuring out how much fiber is right for me.I find that I'm getting a lot of gas and than a normal bowel movement but also a watery one.I really wish I could figure out what's going on.I do get bloated also.When I get gassy I also get a lot of funny noises in my stomack so don't know if I may also have IBS.I'm trying again to slowly increase my fiber to see what happens.I've also started to drink green tea.Is this happening to nayone else,really wish I could live a normal life without have to worry about needing the bathroom or having gas.Not very pleasant.Take care all.

[bluhaze1968]

I had my colon resectioning January of 08. Mine was open surgery and it has taking me a while to recover due to having an infection. I have read some post about your insides feeling different, I have the same feeling,it is slowly going away. Everyone seema to recover differently. I would never change the fact that I had to have the surgery. It was emergency and I was scared out of my mine. I was thankful I could have my colon resectioned. I will be 40 DEc. 27th and I feel I have a new grasp on life. I wish everyone well that has to or has gone through this type of procedure. There is hope after diverticulitis.

[ando7961]

Hey Bluehaze
I am Chris from Yorkshire, England, I am glad your well on the way to recovery, a word of warning from a sufferer, I had my sigmoid colon removed on Bonfire night 1999 (aged 37)and although recovery for me was slow I did make a full recovery, I had several adhesion attacks though within the first 6 months...hospital visit..morphine and starved for 4 days or so (the usual drill) after 7 years it re-appeared, although you know its never cured..you just have to manage it.
It came back and my bowel attached its self to my gaul bladder that I eventually had to have removed. I guess after surgery you are prone to adhesions and its negative to have them removed or stripped as they in turn lead to further adhesions. Presently on fat free for 6 months I have lost 3 stone in weight and I am cramping most days, a recent small bowel twist confirmed on x ray that its back big style and I have an appointment with my specialist on the 7th January 2009
I guess my message to you is look after yourself even years after ..even when you think your cured don't be tempted to eat the wrong foods as I am testomony to the fact it never leaves, stay fit , excercise andI wish you and your family well and have a happy new year

regards
Chris T Anderson
England

[Buckshot323]

Chris, great information that you have passed on to us. Those of us that have had resections need to know what type of symptoms to watch out for in the future. Lord knows the Doctors don't pass on much of that to us.

I have a friend from church named Chris Anderson whom has been a missionary in Spain for 10 years or so, you didn’t move recently did you?

Thanks again

[marti]

I had small bowel resection surgery to remove a herniated adhesion on Oct 20, 2008. I am still feeling some of the same pain I had the night I entered the E/R. They started out doing the Laperoscopy thing, but had to abanodon that for the regular open surgery. Since then I've had a CAT SCAN, blood work and xrays. The xray shows a bunch of gas still in the stomach. So, how can I get rid of this stuff?? I don't have diarrhia and am not really constipated. But of course, that function isn't quite normal yet.

I've tried to get the surgeon to tell me what to expect, but all he can say is that everyone is different. I know that Doc! Just tell me that it's normal and to be expected for this to take longer than three months to recover. By the way, I also have Multiple Sclerosis, which might account for the time it's taking to recover. But the pain does not feel like the usual MS pain.

If anyone would like to talk, I will call you if you send me a phone number or I can give you mine. I need to talk it over with someone who has been thru this.

Thanks and good luck to you all

Marti

[jrussell]

Hello,

I just found this website and I am new to this. I am going to my first Surgeon appointment on Tuesday. I am scared to death. However, I never want to feel the pain I have been going through the last couple of years. Any suggestions for me? Any questions you would suggestion I woulld ask? It appears there are different ways to do the surgery. I would guess it depends on where the infections/problems are. It does sound like open (not sure what that means - cutting you open?) is what most have done. Again, I am very new and trying to collect and research as much as possible - so please let me know. I live in Phoenix, AZ . My name is Julie. Thank You.

[cattss]

I had colon resection surgery (open) 11/25 and a week later had addt'l surgery due to obstruction. Was in hospital 14 days. Not fun and recovery was painful. Am back to work now, but still feel some twinges and cramping at times. Have more frequent bowel movements, but they are smaller than before. Am taking Metamucil daily and Activia. Surgeon did not advise me to avoid any certain foods, but am being careful. Do any of you find that certain foods cause problems. How about coffee, chocolate?

[JennyB]

I was in the hospital for 5 days with infection from diverticulitis, a month later I had twelve inches of colon removed (June 2004, 38 at the time). Was in the hospital for 9 days after surgery. The recovery was painful(had infection around the belly button after staples removed, that was gross!) and I too had issues with the resection area. It just didn't feel right and didn't matter how little I ate the resection area bothered me. Not the incision or topical issues but internal issues. I went back to work within 5 weeks of surgery and 3 weeks after that I was back in the hospital due to infection, that I probably never really got rid of. I continued to have issues where the actual resection was and about six months after surgery had another colonoscopy done. My problem was that I had constriction at the resection site and that area had to be 'stretched', I've since gone back again to have the site stretched. My doctor said that I may have to have this every few years and I'm ok with it as it's better than having surgery again. I also have ulcerative colitis and was on medication for three years and it seems to be in remission and I'm no longer on meds. A lot of the fiber powders/pills can cause a lot of gas and bloatingness, I have since changed to a stool softener pill(colace). I take one a day, stay away from popcorn and nuts. After surgery, I had problems with eating any type of eggs, coffee and chocolate. It was probably 6 mos. to a year before I could handle eggs. Just in the last year I have been able to drink coffee and well chocolate is chocolate and never gave that up no matter the issues. I now feel great, it took me a while though. I'd go through it all again just to feel as good as I do now.

[lizzie]

Hi
Second day home from hospital - 12 days since surgery and at last I'm beginning to feel like I'm in the land of the living!
Still in a bit of pain and unfortunately I have a wound infection, but the distict nurse is coming to dress it everyday. I am just so thankful that I have avoided ileostomy, which I had been prepared for.
Still some diverticular pockets left, as they couldn't get it all, but I am hopeful of a return to 'normality'. I haven't worked for 8 months, so hopeful that I shall be able to return in a couple of months now!
Lizzie

[HolyBat]

100%

[NipelHOD]

+1