colon resection

[Sue357]

Hi.  I am almost 5 weeks post op from a laproscopic colon resection, due to multiple diverticulitis attacks ( 6 to be exact ) in the last 5 months. My surgeon was able to successfully remove 7 inches of sigmoid colon and re-attach so I was spared the colostomy. After the procedure, the surgeon told me that the part of the colon that he removed was very very small!  He said he had a difficult time and had to use a 25 guage (?) connector due to the narrowness of my large colon.  He also said that the diseased part was only 20 gauge and he could barely get his finger inside.  Two questions:  How long is it normal to have pain from this procedure?  My pain level is down but still in pain, especially later in day, after work.  ( I am a teacher ).  The second question is what would cause my colon to be so small in the first place?  Thanks so much.

[DALEYOOO1]

Sorry my "address" is DALEY001!

[DALEYOOO1]

Saw your note to someone else that had a laproscopic colon resection and I'm planning on that surgery in a month.  They found a polyp (benign) they couldn't snag and now want to cut it out.  I'm 58 and have been in great health until this came along and I'm not impressed!  Just would like to know what to expect..how long in hospital, when can I go back to work (I work in a clinic as a biller), how about back to working out in the gym?  Will my bowels never be the same????  Just having a hard time adjusting to having any surgery at all and my Doc has a friend that does these laproscopically so I consented.  Maybe I'm just being a big baby!  Sounds, too, like alot of pain involved?  Would appreciate your opinion.  DALE0001

[Sue357]

Thanks.  It seems to be getting better however I noticed that when I get diarrea (sp?), it is much sorer, like today.  I think I over did my diet yesterday so am trying to watch today.  That is good info...I go back in for my next surgeon follow up appointment on March 12th and will see how it does.  I also worked a longer day yesterday since returning back to work 3 weeks ago.  I notice that when I am on my feet for long periods of time, the pain is worse.  Thankfully, I am a teacher and do not do much physical but work in large facility so involves a lot of walking.  

[Jaybay]

Sue - if that crampy pain keeps slowly getting worse instead of better, you'll need to make certain to tell your surgeon.  It's possible that scar tissue is closing up the anastomosis (where the 2 ends were joined).  You'd need a colonoscopy to confirm that, and sometimes the scope can bust up that scar tissue enough to take care of the problem.  Scar tissue is a normal part of healing, which is why it forms where any inflammation or infection exists.  In some people, it just keeps on growing and causing problems.

Vicodin and percocet will absolutely make you constipated, so start taking a stool softener like colace (generic is much cheaper!) to make things easier.  Don't forget to keep up with extra water intake too.  There's a whole lot of healing work still happening in your body, and you need to stay well-hydrated for that process to work properly as well as to help your colon do its job.

Georgie - feel free to send me a Private Message if you like.  Med Help blocks email addresses so that spammers and other vile persons don't pick them up off the board and harrass the users.  Float your cursor over my username and click Send Message.

[Sue357]

Jay bay:  in answer to your question, the pain is dull and crampy....pretty constant except when taking meds.  Thanks to you both for the reassurance.  As for the narrowing of the colon, I know the surgeon said that there was a lot of scar tissue right before the section that he took out...probably from all of the infection over and over.  Also, thanks for saying about how touchy the colon is;;; I remember the doc told my hubby that I would be very sore as he had to do a lot of work in there.

Georgie:  good point about all of the stuff passing by the staples.  I remember the doc saying that the staples stay in and how shocked I was!!!  He also said that eventually skin cells will cover the connector piece and it won't be visible, even during a colonoscopy.  I really wasn't constipated until after the surgery and I think that was from the vicodin and percoset... Glad to hear that 5 weeks isn't really that long as it seems like I should be 100% by now, but I am a very impatient patient..lol

[georgie439]

Sue,  Sorry, your still in pain. But give it time, 5 weeks really doesn't seem to long considering "stuff" is constantly passing those stiches by.  Just trying to relivev your worry.  And yes that does sound weird to have narrow colon, is it narrow in other places??  And is that due to the diverticulitis? I dont know my mom had that and it made her constipated. Which is what I'am.  I would ask your Dr. Where you constpated?  
Jaybay, I was wondering if you could send me an email, as I wanted to ask you a bunch
of questions????   *********hotmail.com   I dont think I'm supposed to put the fiquire
for at in the middle, I have some major constipation and am so very scared, hoping it isn't something really bad, yes this is gross but I did want to kinda explain my issues with someone who has been there.  best to you guys...........Denise