Bowel resection

[marti323]

Hi all. So I wanted to get some advice and feedback from whoever’s been through a bowel resection. How is the recovery? How many of you have had it for a year or two or longer now? Do you experience life long issues because of having your bowel resected?

[mierran]

Hi,

I had a bowel resection in 2007 due to infiltrative endo. I had a laparotomy and oophorectomy and lots more endo removed and adhesions lysed at the same time.

It took me about 3 months to recover. I had to be careful what I ate.

Long term it is difficult to answer. I have several issues but I don't know how much is linked to the fact I have lots of infiltrative endo more than the resection as some were present before.

I have to watch what I eat. I have to eat little and often. I have to avoid gluten and lactose. I am prone to constipation. I get stabbing pain when I defecate and sometimes need fybogel. I have to avoid too much fruit.

I suspect more of my issues are endo and adhesion linked than directly from the surgery.

Given I was told I could well need a colostomy bag I feel very lucky.

Good luck.

[marti323 in reply to mierran]

Thank you for the reply mierran. I guess some of these adjustments are still worth it compared to leaving the endo and not doing sugery because of the fear of a bowel resection. I already cut out a lot of dairy and gluten so I think it’s doable long term. I mean people that are vegan cut out a lot more, so I can at least try to cut those two out for my own well being. Right? Lol

When you say you have pain during bowel movements is it every time?

[mierran in reply to marti323]

Pain yes every time but worse if stools hard. Pretty sure adhesion linked as it's when they reach a certain position. But I also have a rectocele from nerve damage from the endo so could be linked to that.

Good luck. X x

[Sweetyassi]

Hi, I had bowel resection done in 2009 i spent 6 weeks in hospital and then it took me over a year to recover from that surgery. Due to the bowel being damaged I developed an eating disorder and celiac disease. I’m still having issues with eating solid foods and have to stick with liquids most of the time.

Sweety.

[marti323 in reply to Sweetyassi]

Wow that’s really intense. And it’s already been 10 years.

Did you know you were going to have a bowel resection when you went into surgery? Did you have a colostomy?

[Sweetyassi in reply to marti323]

Yeah it’s been very stressful these last 10 years. Have had numerous operations to remove endo and adhesions.

No I didn’t know I was going to have it done until the last minute. I was in hospital for 2 weeks because I couldn’t eat, drink or open my bowels. I was in agony, my skin colour changed to yellow, had terrible hiccups and was vomiting green stuff. The hospital admitted me in and saw my stomach was getting bigger, I looked 8 months pregnant. After 2 weeks they said they need to operate and see what’s going on as my pains were getting worse by the hour. Thank goodness I didn’t need a colostomy.

To be honest, I thought it was really bad period pains and a nasty cold at the same time. Well that’s what the doctors were saying at first.

Sweety.

[marti323 in reply to Sweetyassi]

Geez I’m so happy that you got through all of that! You’re such a warrior. Will you be needing another surgery? I really really hope not. I was recommended a Facebook group called EndoRevisited UK. If you do need another surgery or want to see what other information there is out there, that group might be helpful. I hope if you need another surgery that you get it from an advanced and skilled specialist.

[Sweetyassi in reply to marti323]

Hi marti323,

I’ve lost count with how many operations I have had. My last operation was in August 2017 and that was very traumatic for me. I went to get my ovaries and endo removed by a specialist and woke up in recovery room in agony I developed compartment syndrome in my right leg and needed 4 operations within a week on my leg. After that I was on crutches for a year and last year July I had my Achilles stretched to put my foot down so I can walk. I’m now having intense physio to get rid of the stiffness and strengthen my right foot, leg. I’m going through menopause and not sure if I have any endo in my body but my stomach doesn’t feel good. I’m still unable to eat solid foods throughout the week.

Sweety.