Pain after resection

[Synth]

Hi guys. I had a large colon resection on April 1st. So: it has been 17 days. I am tender around the area of the resection site. (lower left). It hurts when I move certain ways and also when I press in on it. Is this just part of the recovery time? My surgeon has very few office hours, so I thought I would ask you, my new pals, what you think.

Love, Synth

[Synth]

Thanks, wow I  guess I am in the early early stages of recovery. I go for a chemo consultation with the oncologist this wed. He will probably want me to have adjuvant therapy.
15 lymph nodes were clear, but I hear they want you on the chemo anyway. I fear this because I will just be getting strong and more healthy and boom. Here comes the chemo side effects, YUCK. Synth

[Sue357]

Hi.  I am 3 months post op from lapro colon resection ( 7 inches of sigmoid removed).  This site and message boards have been a true blessing for me as you always think you are the only one going through this stuff..... 17 days is really a short time.  I am still having some pain and am adjusting to finding out what foods I can and can't eat.  Morecambe is right about the temp and pain as well as vomiting.  That is what my surgeon told me to watch out for.  I am going back to see him this week.  When I would call or ask( during follow up visits) about the pain, he would say that it takes about 3-6 months to "forget you had the surgery".  My hubby also remembers him saying, when I was still in the hospital, that it can even take up to a year.... God Bless

[Synth]

Thanks so much: I am a little constipated, but stools seem well-formed and soft.
I'll keep you posted. Wow I can just imagine trying tennis right now...ouch.
Synth

[Morecambe]

This is a big operation and you are bound to feel tender after only 17 days.  I underwent a total colectomy four years ago and after 2 weeks I was able to live normally - but very quietly - at home taking, at best, short walks.  I waited almost 6 months before restarting playing tennis.

Try and avoid becoming constipated to avoid extra strain on the sutures.  If your telperature rises and you have abdominal pain, seek rapid help just in case there is any intestinal leakage causing peritonitis (more unlikely - but if happens very occasionally

Your surgeon owes you a duty of care/diligent follow-up.

Morecambe

[Synth]

It seems to be worse perhaps an hour before a bowel movement. No fever here. Right now I seem to feel pretty good but When I do too much, the old body needs a nap. I sure do nap a lot now. Thanks Boron. Yep maybe 17 days is not long. I hear that 2 months is the realistic time to feel much better. Synth

[boron]

The tenderness is getting worse or it only persists from the time of operation? 17 days may still be within normal recovery time. In case of inflammation or infection, your body temperature would probably rise.