Post colon resectioning diet - Cancer: Colon Message Board

jan55 · 06-09-2008, 10:56 AM

It's been 1 year since my surgery. I had 13 inches of colon and rectum removed. Doing OK, except I'm still dealing with rectal pressure, frequent bowel movements, and feeling like I can't fully eliminate. This is about 3-4 days a week. I'm finding that, contrary to the doctor's words, diet is making a difference. I think I may be overdoing the fiber. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Jan

Chief65 · 06-11-2008, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jan55

It's been 1 year since my surgery. I had 13 inches of colon and rectum removed. Doing OK, except I'm still dealing with rectal pressure, frequent bowel movements, and feeling like I can't fully eliminate. This is about 3-4 days a week. I'm finding that, contrary to the doctor's words, diet is making a difference. I think I may be overdoing the fiber. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Jan

Hi!
I wish I did. I am actually trying to find some help for my friend who had 12 inches removed about 1 month ago. She is having 30 to 50 movements per DAY-and the doctor has not been much help. She tried the high fiber and nuts-hoping that eating only "good" food would help. Now she says it could be complex carbs -this would eliminate all healthy foods-there does not seem to be any one thing that works for everyone-but this frequency is getting her down-and it is painful as well. Did you have this frequency at first? I am sorry to be asking you questions-when you asked for help. Right now she would settle for one day a week that she was "normal". Any advice is appreciated and I do hope you find a diet that works for you--I am thinking now that each person is different in how the colon reponds to this surgery and what is needed to get it back to "normal".
Thanks and my best to you,
Chief

Annie57 · 06-11-2008, 07:32 AM

It has been 4 years since I had my resection and reversal. I still have issues, but things have improved some.From what I have been told/read and exerienced after this surgery your body never gets back to normal. I take metamucil 2-3 tablespoons a day and this helps. My surgeon told me that bulk is needed to help limit the number of movements in a day.

I have found that spicey foods, corn , raw vegetables and too much fat can cause problems. I am never 100% sure that I will not have issues on any given day. I watch what I eat if I am not sure of bathroom locations and I live a very normal life.

There are days when I still have up to 10 movements a day and donot feel like I have eliminated everything. also very normal. Every inch of the colon is for a purpose and if some is removed changes will occur. Over time some improve.

I always say to myself when issues arise I am lucky to be alive and healthy. It helps to get over the bad days.

jan55 · 06-11-2008, 08:11 AM

Annie Thank you for replying to my question on diet. I've found that grapes, prunes, and watermelon give me a BAD day. Thanks for the advice on how to deal with the fact that things will never be the same. I thank God that my cancer was caught early, and I really appreciate the good days. I feel comfortable traveling with my husband, but I haven't traveled with friends since the surgery. I feel too uncertain that I will have a bad day, or will be stopping constantly for the bathroom. How do you handle those situations? Jan

jan55 · 06-11-2008, 08:26 AM

Chief, I am sorry to hear about your friend's suffering. I agree with you that everyone's reaction to the surgery is different, but I do think the medical community could be more helpful in offering suggestions. There are some common sympthoms and I'm sure they could research and advise. But we'll try to help each other out. I was more frequent in the beginning, and things did seem to settle down. What I have discovered, with a lot of trial and error, was I think I was overdoing it on the fiber. I think my colon got over-senitized, (if that's a word). Even though I don't have IBS, I noticed some of the same sympthoms. Have your friend look up the sites on IBS, especially the one from Heather. I didn't buy any of the products, but there is a lot of helpful info. I cut my Metamucil intake way down, and I've noticed problem foods for me are things with skins, (ex. grapes, tomatoes etc.). If I eat too much fresh fruit and veggies, without other foods with it, it also causes the next day to be BAD. Red meat has been a problem too. I'm sorry to say that it's really something you have to work with. Tell her to keep a food journal and also write how she felt. For me it's usually what I ate the day before that bothers me. Hope this helps. Jan