RECTUM REMOVED

[JCMDO]

HOW DO I DEAL WITH MY BOWELS AFTER MY RECTUM HAS BEEN REMOVED?

[CalGal]

JCMDO, exactly what form of surgery have you had done?

[JCMDO]

I had a stage 1 cancer of the rectum.  They resected my colon and removed the entire rectum.  They were able to reconnect the colon so I did not have to have a colostomy.  But now I have a constant feeling that I have to have a bowel movement.  I take 3-4 Imodium per day.  I need to get back to work but worry I may have problems.  My work is very physicial for 8 straight hours.  
  

[CalGal]

When a section of the large intestine is removed - and depending on just how much is now gone - a person can experience looser stools since one of the major functions of the large intestine is to reabsorb fluids from the material that is passing through. This allows the fecal material to 'compact' into a stool. You may want to consider changing your diet a bit to help 'sop-up' more of the fluid.

Take a look at some of Morecambe's posts. He had total removal of the colon and has been able to change his diet to help control that problem. It's possible if you adopt some of the same techniques they'll help quite a bit.