Recovery from Lower Anterior Resection?

prairyfire
prairyfire Member Posts: 1 Member
in Colorectal Cancer #1

I’m scheduled for a lower anterior resection for my stage 3 rectal cancer. I’ve had 6 rounds of FolFurinox and six weeks of 5fu and radiation. I’m 46 and still working full time. I would like to hear from anyone who has had the LAR and what the surgery recovery is like? When were you able to return to work? Any helpful advice for quick recovery? I’m trying my best to balance cancer and career and family…. Any advice would be helpful. Thanks in advance.

Comments

  • jmaddox_6
    jmaddox_6 Member Posts: 1 Member
    #2
    https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/327921/recovery-from-lower-anterior-resection

    I am slated for that same surgery so I’m hoping someone can give some insight. They say my cancer is “high” so I hope that is good because I sure need some positivity.

  • jmae35
    jmae35 Member Posts: 1 *
    #3

    I am hoping you are recovering from your LAR well. I also had that surgery. Best wishes to you.

  • WooGeRWAS
    WooGeRWAS Member Posts: 1 Member
    #4

    I had Sigmoid Colon Resection in July 2024, taking 6” out (Robotic “knitting needle” instruments, very non-invasive). This was my first approach, with FOLFOXIRI Chemo to follow. I was in Hospital just 4 days, walking fine on the night of surgery, very little pain, refused all pain meds. Hospital stay goal was to tolerate solid food. Surprisingly easy.

  • Daren
    Daren Member Posts: 1 *
    #5

    I see this post is from August. I had stage 3 rectal cancer 7.5cm from the anal verge. Lost my sigmoid and all but about 2 inches of my rectum. Surgery was Aug 23' and bag reversal Feb 24'. I had really loose stools for about the first 3 weeks. Things are going way better than expected. My new normal is very manageable with stools being formed and solid. I do take lomotil and loperamide. Loperamide is rare , but the lomotil is about a half hour before meals. I pretty much eat what I want and have good bowel control. Things definitely improve as time goes on. My best advice is test/introduce foods such as salads, mexican etc. and give your body/bowels time to adjust. I do get occasional tenesmus which has lessened with time. You'll learn new signs when its time to go compared to just being gas. My quality of life is very good and i can work, go out, do normal pre-op things without worry. Exercise is very therapeutic as well.

  • SChris33
    SChris33 Member Posts: 1 *
    #6

    Had almost the same as Darin and am going to start chemo soon. Thanks for all your comments because it's now not looking as bad as I thought it might be.

  • Sestra17
    Sestra17 Member Posts: 72 Member
    #7

    Hi! I had stage 3 rectal cancer. Chemo, radiation, surgery, and more chemo. The surgery recovery was not horrible. Best advise, lots of walking if you can. If you have to have a colostomy and get the “Barbie butt”, you have to avoid sitting for at least a month as I remember. So that might impact an office job. Anywho, best wishes and positive thoughts to you.

Discussion Boards