Post-op Bowel Resection Surgery - Bowel Disorders Message Board

tab56 · 03-11-2008, 06:51 AM

Hi All - I am new here and the website has been a "comfort" before and after my surgery. I had 14 inches removed from the distal sigmoid colon due to chronic diverticulitis, Crohn's/colitis, and scar tissue. My surgery was March 03, 2008. I did not have my first BM until 7 days post-op and it was not diarrhea or watery as I was told it would be. Also, yesterday and this morning there is quite a bit of discomfort when urinating and I was curious if anyone else has had this problem. It does not feel like a UTI, it feels more like possibly a contraction that affects the vagina also but it is very uncomfortable and the majority of the discomfort seems to be located over the bladder. There is no trouble urinating, just painful towards the end. I plan on calling my surgeon since I do have IBD and need to make sure nothing is flaring up in that area. Anyone facing the surgery should not be too apprehensive. Go in with postiive thoughts and optimism. My experience was nothing like I had feared and it has been far easier to deal with than I ever expected. I was in the hospital from Mon-Fri (came home Fri. evening). If I can help anyone with any of their questions, I will certainly be happy to answer to the best of my ability. Thanks to all of you who have gone before me to help ease my fears!

Redneon82 · 03-11-2008, 10:38 AM

For a few weeks after my surgery (Nov. 5th, open resection) I would have pain after urinating, almost like menstrual cramps, which would fade away after a while. I assumed this was because I was so sore in the surgery area, and my bladder would fill up, pushing against the sore area. This eventually went away. I sometimes have aching in the surgery area after a bowel movement still, but it also fades away after a while. I think this is normal because of the trama to the area that was cut open, moved aside, etc. Plus everything that is traumatized needs to learn to function normally again. I don't think you have anything to worry about at this point since it is so soon after surgery.

Isn't it a relief to have that sick feeling gone, and to know that after your recovery your quality of life will be so much better! I feel fantastic as long as I avoid spicy or hot foods and drink plenty of water. My energy level is great and my appetite is huge! I never liked to eat before because I was so scared that something would harm me, but I'm making up for it now! Enjoy your new life!

peacefrog · 03-11-2008, 08:40 PM

I also had and continue to have (a year later) occasional cramp-like pain when urinating. I think its from the lack of muscle tone after two abdominal surgeries.

tab56 · 03-13-2008, 09:35 AM

Thank you both for the reply. I go tomorrow to get the staples removed. I called my surgeon earlier in the week to inquire about the discomfort and was told that he did quite a bit of "work" located behind the bladder and the area was certainly traumatized. It is still uncomfortable when I urinate but hopefully this will dissipate with time. I am still somewhat at a loss as to what I should or should not eat. I really haven't had much of an appetite and some days will have queasiness but not full blown nausea. I was told to eat anything I wanted but that just does not seem like good common sense. How long was it before your energy level was pretty much back to normal? I feel that I am doing extremely well but of course I still tire easily. I would guess it probably takes a good month or so. Luckily I am not in a situation where I need to worry about returning to work since I am presently not employed. All in all, at this point in time I am so thankful I had the surgery. I had put it off for two years, even under the advice of two doctors that it needed to be done. Looking back now, it would have been so much better for me physically and mentally than dealing with all the infections and massive amounts of antibiotics that I consumed. I hope that you are both doing well and thank you for the words of encouragement!

Redneon82 · 03-13-2008, 11:38 AM

I would say a month to back to normal is extremely optimistic. I didn't get my energy level back until about 3 months post-surgery, and was able to start lifting things and be more active about 2 weeks ago (4 months post). Remember that even if you had the laser surgery, that's just the outside you are seeing. The inside had to endure much more trauma than what it looks like from the outside. That's the part that will need a lot more time to recover. And pushing it is definitely not a good idea!

I understand, I too was very impatient and couldn't understand why I'd need more than a couple of weeks to recover, but some others on this site reminded me that it is a major surgery and that rushing to get back to "normal" is just going to cause more problems.

As far as diet, my surgeon too told me that I could eat "anything". Not true. I tried spicy foods and hot foods and was miserable. I'm still avoiding them, and I have not yet tried red meat other than ground meat. Your colon is still healing and learning to function properly and you don't want to "over work" it. Try a small amount of something you have been craving and make sure to drink lots of water with it. If all goes well, then continue on to the next thing.

It sounds like you are recovering normally. That's a good thing! Hope all continues to go well.