what else should i expect

tlynn

4wks postop rectal/sigmoid resection, besides the rectal pain and pressure is there anything else i should expect to start happening.

kangatoo

Hi again. I think everyone here would agree that the healing process varies greatly for all of us. Assuming your surgery was similar to mine(which I think it was) your bowel movements will differ from extreme regularity(going to the bathroom frequently) to a couple of days between movements. A lot depends on eating habits. They can also vary greatly from being very loose to constipation..also indicative of eating habits. Personally I found that small meals frequently helped rather than having 3 regular meals a day.I don't think you told us if you are due for a course of chemo? This will also effect the way you feel and the healing process. The more information you can give us on your surgery etc. will help us to answer your questions as many here have different answers...which depends on the information you can provide.
cheers, kanga

taraHK

Can you tell us a little more about how you are doing/feeling? In general, I would 'expect' someone to be feeling a little stronger and better as time goes by....but, there will probably be better and worse days. Don't push yourself too hard....it really does take a while to recover from this kind of major surgery.
Best wishes,
Tara

kangatoo

kangatoo said:

Hi again. I think everyone here would agree that the healing process varies greatly for all of us. Assuming your surgery was similar to mine(which I think it was) your bowel movements will differ from extreme regularity(going to the bathroom frequently) to a couple of days between movements. A lot depends on eating habits. They can also vary greatly from being very loose to constipation..also indicative of eating habits. Personally I found that small meals frequently helped rather than having 3 regular meals a day.I don't think you told us if you are due for a course of chemo? This will also effect the way you feel and the healing process. The more information you can give us on your surgery etc. will help us to answer your questions as many here have different answers...which depends on the information you can provide.
cheers, kanga

It would also help if you would tell us what type of incision you had?(if you have already done that maybe I missed that post) Some bowel surgery is now done laparoscopically and I have been told of a procedure done through the anus. My wound was from pubic bone to breastbone.
If you have a similar wound it is very important you follow post-op instructions. IE; do not do any strenuos work or lifting.

tlynn

kangatoo said:

It would also help if you would tell us what type of incision you had?(if you have already done that maybe I missed that post) Some bowel surgery is now done laparoscopically and I have been told of a procedure done through the anus. My wound was from pubic bone to breastbone.
If you have a similar wound it is very important you follow post-op instructions. IE; do not do any strenuos work or lifting.

i had about 12 inch removed for the sigmoid/rectal area. mine was a stage 2 with no lymph nodes affected. so i wan't have to have any futher treatment. just have yearly colonscopy for a while(which i don't mine if i don't have to go through all of this again). i had a midline incision for my bellybutton to my pubic bone with the reconnect of my colon through my anus. i don't have a colostomy.

tlynn

taraHK said:

Can you tell us a little more about how you are doing/feeling? In general, I would 'expect' someone to be feeling a little stronger and better as time goes by....but, there will probably be better and worse days. Don't push yourself too hard....it really does take a while to recover from this kind of major surgery.
Best wishes,
Tara

i'm just now starting to feel like getting out of the house. the past few weeks all i felt like doing was taking my daughter to the babysitter and coming back home and to bed. this week i have been out a little more to build up my strength. the only thing is that duing my surgery i had to be placed in struips for the reconnection of my colon since it was so low and during surgery i had some nerve damage to my left leg causing it to be numb from my knee to my ankle, making it difficult for my to walk with out assistance. i've been use crutches, but i have seen some improvement. after my surgery i was told it can take as along as 2 months.

nanuk

Get out as much as you can-I experienced weakness and fatigue for about three months after surgery, but tried to get out daily even if it was only walking a few yards..those yards turned into blocks, and the blocks to miles..it was important to reinforce the fact that if I could do it, I was
OK..I was also doing concurrent chemo/radiation, which didn't help matters, but the walking was important to my sense of well - being.

jana11

I agree. I was up and walking as soon as possible. Starting a little at a time, as weather permits. My incision went from sternum to pelvis and I wasn't allowed to sit down for a week, so I was either up and walking or lying down.

The walking was such a help both mentally and physically. Started with a block and was covering > 2 miles pretty soon (several weeks).
Everyone is different. I didn't have nerve damage.
I also agree with the several small meals in a day. My appetite wasn't very good, so I would eat little amounts throughout the day.

Heal quickly, and come back with any further questions.

Also, try slow stretching exercises. I am a yoga addict. My surgeon told me I had no pain after post-op recovery because of my yoga activities. After you can walk a mile, rent/buy a beginning yoga DVD/video and try it out. All slow and easy.
jana