post op for sigmoid colectomy for diverticulitis

[mag41]

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

[Bloatedandhurting]

To Jmko8 -I also have the pins and needles . I am 10 weeks post op open sigmoid colectomy. But staple gun misfired and I was open almost 5 hrs as they had to redo the anastamosis. I am still bloated and very painful. No one gives me help or can say why. So sad. So glad I found this site. Did or does anyone know why this is?

[bstites]

How are you doing now?  I am 7 weeks post op and thought I thought I'd feel better than I am.

[ARNP2017]

The pins and needles in abdomen are from nerves regenerating. Some were disrupted during surgery. This may last for a year. I just had sigmoid resection but also remember this after c-section. I had severe diverticulitis too. Recovery from this surgery is slow going. I think a lot of us are type A and expect a speedy recovery. Im a nurse and Im use to caring for others. Being a patient is hard for me. Try moist heat alternating with cold packs. Feel better!

[JMK08]

I had an open sigmoid colectomy almost a month ago. I continue to have pain across my lower abdomen which can be described as severe pins and needles when touched. Has anyone experienced this or know if this is normal? My doctor just keeps telling me I had major surgery and  it's part of gage healing process.

[calskier53]

Had my laproscopic colectomy on 10/2. Surgeon removed less than one foot of my colon. Out of the hospital in two days. Will return to work on 10/20. Took pain meds for about two weeks. Some cramping. How are you doing now?

[Martie72]

I had an open partially colectomy almost 3 months ago and now I'm having diverticulitis spin again on my left side and my entire stomach is sore as if I had just gotten out of surgery...I avoid red meats and fatty foods, and I do have 3-6 BM per day I'm currently on my second round of antibiotics and I'm getting concerned with the pain and extreme soreness...any advice

[Jimbo45]

I guess I'm one of the lucky ones or maybe the lucky ones just don't post as often. I'm 4 weeks postoperative on a sigmoid colectomy for DD. I was out of hospital in 2 days, off of pain mess in a week and back to my desk job in 2 weeks. Now after 4 weeks I feel better than I have in a year, just a little irritation and itching from the sutures. I was worried going into surgery hearing stories of people who took much longer to recover. Just goes to show there is a lot of individual variation.

[Dazicles]

I had my surgery on March 5th - two months ago.  I have had absolutely no pain since week 6 and have been on a regular diet since day 5 post op.  My new normal is 1,000% better than before the surgery.  Guess I was lucky!

[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

[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.

[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

[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

[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