post op for sigmoid colectomy for diverticulitis

Does anyone have post-op info on this surgery.  I have been experiencing abdominal pain, some cramping and just general discomfort.  I understand that this surgery has a recovery time of 2-3 months.  Could the pain be due to nerve healing.  Also I have constant lower back pain.  The Dr. has put me back on a regular diet and I'm experiencing no diahrea.

Any help would be appreciated.

Marla

[Sue357]

I had the same surgery a year ago this month.  How long ago did you have the surgery?  I can tell you that after 2-3 months I was still on pain meds.  My surgeon said it can take up to a year, in some people, to "forget you had the surgery".  I am one of those people.  I still have some residual pain, at times, depending on what I do or eat.  About 7 months after the surgery is when I think the I started to experience the itching and feeling that the nerves were healing.  I recommend you look into another thread  Problems after Bowel Resection  and you can read my story as well as others who have had this same surgery.  God bless.  Sue

[Morecambe]

Hi - I underwent a total colectomy almost five years ago for torrential diverticular bleeding and have recovered well.

In response to another Medhelp patient's question I related my own experience as follows:-

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/523166

You might like to log on to this and do let me know if you have any questions _ I'll be happy to help if I can.

regards
Morecambe

[charliebob]

I had a partial lap sigmoid colectomy on Oct. 1 (about 8 weeks ago).  My sugeon has "released" me to eat a normal diet and says that I am "OK".  I still have quite a bit of abdominal discomfort/pain that can be somewhat softened with Tylenol.  It bothers me in that I thought I would be feeling more or less normal after 2 months, but it just hasn't worked out that way for me.   Some have told me that it might take up to a year to begin to feel normal.  Any feedback would be appreciated.  I have a good appetite, more-or-less normal bowell movements, and no temp.  The abdominal discomfort/pain is just wearing me down.   Fyll disclosure:  I did return to work 2 weeks after surgery and have been a little bad about lifting things that I should not have.  I have an "office" job so there wasn't much of that.
Bob

colectomy recovery time expectations months

[mbrink01]

I had my Lap.colectomy 2 weeks ago due to severe diverticulitis episodes since 1995.  He removed 13 inches of my sigmoid/descending colon.  I also had an extra long loopy colon that was repaired in different areas.  I am still experiencing pain but am not taking meds for it but once every 2 days or so.  I have no more diarrhea but I do have bloating and my stomach is still swollen.  I am on a regular diet and am slowly introducing new things everyday. I would like to know how long it takes for the swelling and bloating to go away.  Will my stomach be flat again after having this surgery.

[hemicolectomy]

Man I had diverticulitis attacks for 20 years.  Maybe 50 cipro flagly prescriptions.  I finally found someone to do laproscopic, at the VA in san fran!  Dr. Kim is Brilliant!  

I had the surgery and was out of the hospital in 7 days.  I had a left hemicolectomy, well about 1/3 removed.  It has been over 5 weeks.  The pain is almost totally gone.  I got addicted to the diladid, it was horrible for a few days.  I broke vicodene in half and took them 2 times a day for 3 days and went cold turkey.  It was like ciggy quiting but a bit more nausiating.  It's about 5 days off and I feel not bad!  

My BM's are regular now that I am off opiates!  Wow, this is unbelievable how good I feel!  Don't let nobody do the surgury unless they can do a laproscopic.  Mine was so severe, just liquid diet, smoothies, metumucil, for a month or so before, and lose weight.  My entestine was a mess, and they did lapro, and it was fine.  Can barely see the scars