Problems after bowel resection

[aross123]

This discussion is related to Problems after bowel resection.


In February 2006 I had an emergency bowel resection.  For no apparent reason, a large portion of my small intestine had twisted and the blood supply to my intestine had been cut off and died.  About 40% of my small intestine (ileum and ileocecal valve) had to be removed.  For the next 2-3 months I had horrible diarrhea after everything I ate.  Within one week I went from 135 lbs. to 115 lbs.  I followed a very low-fiber, low-fat, bland diet.  My surgeon told me that I would suffer from diarrhea for the rest of my life and would have to control it with medication.  My doctor told me that things would get better in time, it just takes awhile for the remaining intestine to adapt.  It took about 6 months for me to maintain a weight of 120 lbs.  (I am 5' 4").    

It's been almost 2 years now and I have problems every day with digestion.  I have diarrhea every morning that lasts sometimes until about noon (some days are worse than others), and the rest of the day I have digestive pain, cramps, sometimes bloating and gas from whatever I eat.  I have tried cutting out certain foods but there doesnt seem to be any rhyme or reason to what causes my discomfort.  I know I am now lactose intolerant and cannot break down fats because of my ileum being removed but sometimes even just a piece of toast will not sit well.  I've recently started taking digestive enzymes to help break down fat, carbs, proteins, milk sugar, and fiber.  The suggested use is 1 capsule before each meal but I take 2 with regular meals and 1 with snacks.  The enzymes have helped considerably with the digestive discomfort (bloating and gas) but I still have diarrhea which I dont expect to every go away.

I've spent the last 2 years trying to find information on life after a bowel resection but I havent had any luck.  I went to see a nutrionist through my medical provider but ended up teaching her a few things about malabsorption.  I get monthly B-12 injections, take a multi-vitam, calcium, magnesium, and probiotics daily, and drink about a gallon of water everyday.  I've had to go to the emergency room a few times for intravenous fluid due to dehydration.

I'm a stay-at-home mom of a very handsome 1 year old so I am always near the bathroom but on the days I am away from home I usually dont eat for fear that my tummy will act up.  Food is no longer a joy, it is a complete hassle.  Anyone out there with the same kind of problem?  I would love to get some advice on how to cope and what things that have helped you to suffer less.

[Buddhatummy]

I just logged onto this site for the first time today. Thank you all for the advice and openness.  I had 14 inches of my Colon removed 5 months ago.
My problems seem different  than others in that  I am always tired and always hungry. Everyone seems to lose weight but i just keep gaining. I am always nauseous and pick gluten free junk food carbs, muffins, cookies, pretzels. I cant seem to digest  fruits or veggies. I wish I had diarrhea bc I have incomplete soft bowel movements that won't completely pass. I am 43, have. Celiac and elected to have sugery bc of rectal prolapse. My dr. Said it would be "a piece of cake." Maybe for him...not for me. I chose to do it now than attempt mesh ties that would be very likely to result in surgery at an age where  recovery would be even harder.  I was told not to eat fiber which was all new to me. I am (or was) very fit and active and a healthy eater. Please help.I am desperate. I gained 12 lbs am tired bloated gassy, abdominal pain and rectal pain and pressure. I can't say it was better having half my intestines outside my body, but this is  close to being worse. I am at my wits end. I take dulcolax and a laxative to try to cause diarrhea so the bm's don't just break off mid poop.  Where do I get these enzymes, what are they called and what's that other product some people mentioned?
Sorry so LONG.
I am miserable and will try the no complex carb diet books.  Thanks for ANY responsez.

[Beagagirl]

happy to have found this site. I was wondering if I was going to always look pregnant and have my waist back. A year is a long time, especially at my age. I am lucky that I have had the pain to already subside, three months out. Over doing definitely sets you back and I notice I bloat more as well. I was constantly constipated before but no longer have that problem. I do have to watch what I eat, no leafy vegetables, etc. I admit that I am vain and the huge stomach is killing me. I walk daily but do not feel I can begin a work out plan again just yet. The doc said I had a lot going on in there and that I need to be patient. I am 66 years old and don't have a lot of years left to be patient, I have always worked out and kept myself in decent physical condition, I lived like I was 46 instead of 66. This has definitely put me in my place! Sad to have been so dedicated to staying fit and become aged overnight with a big belly and tremendous gas if I don't watch carefully what I eat! Sorry that some of you have so much pain, I am fortunate that mine is not so bad. Still some pain but not so much to have to take pain pills. I walk a lot though and I do it daily, morning and night, no matter the weather. Maybe that has helped. Thank you all for sharing.

[Diputs19]

Just returned two days ago from the hospital, after having two feet of my colon removed.  Was in excrutiating pain before I left there, and then felt almost "human" yesterday.  Unfortunately, I had company and overdid it rather than rest, so today I am paying the consequences.  Today, I seem to feel worse, even though I have not done much and it's way too hot outside to consider walking, as instructed by my surgeon.  Monitoring my temperature to make sure it doesn't spike for next few days so I won't need an emergency colonoscopy (he said it was possible, which scared the heck out of me).  Living on my own with no help is going to be a challenge for the next few weeks -- especially if I drop something!
I read many of the posts on this blog and am very impressed with the bravery of each and every one of you.  This was my fourth abdominal surgery, the first for this, though.  I only pray for the strength that I've seen here.  I'm so glad I found this website, and will continue to read it for the inspiration.  Thanks, everyone, and I'll pray for each of you a speedy recovery!

[whiskers36]

I'm new at this, whiskers36 is my name. Do you have any insight for some who has suffered since 1994?

[Krianna]

I am almost 8weeks post small bowel re-section (emergency) in which a single adhesion form a laparoscopic tubal ligation (20 years ago) had created a closed loop obstruction (ischemia - dead bowel).  Surgeon removed 18".  After the first week post discharge from hospital developed a Seroma at incision site which took weeks to get fully drained and regranulated.  Had normal bowel movements for a few weeks, but have had diarrhea ever since.  Was told to each much more soluble fiber (cooked, not raw).  That seemed to help somewhat although it's hard to force it down.  Am concerned about SIBO.  Does anyone have experience with that?  From reading the threads it seems that I am in early recovery from major surgery and may be expecting too much too soon,   I can relate to those who have sheer terror of another bowel obstruction.  I found a very interesting website, and though my surgeon only say the one adhesion, now that I've been fully opened up, who knows if that created more.  The site is called www.clearpassage.com.  I am considering treatment just in case.  I don't think I could survive another bowel obstruction.  The woman who created this method of clearing adhesions non surgically has been through it all.  I am so grateful that she and her husband have developed a method to save people from such agony (Wurn technique).  They are training others and clinics have opened and are opening all over the U.S.  (and in England).  I urge everyone in this forum to study their site.  Even if the original abdominal surgery wasn't due to adhesions, they can form after ANY abdominal surgery.  just4thisnow, I joined this community after reading your post as you are wondering how to tell if adhesions were the culprit.  I want to share this info and also heal my digestive system.  Has anyone been put on probiotics?  Am wondering if it's too early to be on them as they seem to cause me more diarrhea, or is it something I just have to stay on until they have a chance to do their job?  Thanks in advance for any input and wish all of you well.  This has been quite an eye opener that I never knew anything about until now

[helenst8]

Hi all I've been reading all your posts and I'm glad to see I'm not going mad. I had an emergency resection 2 years august. They took out just over half a metre some small and some large intestine. Due to adhesions caused by previous surgery but it had twisted cutting off the blood supply. I was in hospital for 3 days before being rushed to theatre as I was then septic. I was on a ventilator for just over a week lost 2 stone in weight and was in hospital for 5 weeks. Had numerous blood transfusions and pneumonia and an infection as well just to top it all off. Life still isn't back to normal even now 2 years later have an incisional hernia which the doctors won't touch as they don't want to take me back into theatre as they really lost me last time. Like everyone I have good days and really bad days still have diarrhoea and gas but I've come to the conclusion that it's not going to change so I might as well eat what I want but remember that I alone have to pay for the consequences of doing that. The only problem I have is my poor children my eldest was 11 when it happened and he has struggled with the fact he almost lost his mum and my youngest was 6 the hospital don't give any help to the children to understand what is happening. Good luck to everyone and maybe one day we all might be " normal "