Bowel resection

[amrpm]

Has anyone had a bowel resection after total abdominal hysterectomy and ovary removal etc? If so what was it like and did you have any problems after

[Juleswhee]

Hi, I was warned it could happen but the first thing I was told after surgery was that it hadn’t been needed however at my check up a week after surgery my professor threw in “ oh by the way I had to shave a bit off your back passage that’s why you had plain food for a few days longer than normal “. I hadn’t known and thought the diet was normal ( jelly and soup) . Anyway when I got a copy of my professors letter to my oncologist it talks about “ resection of rectum“ . I know a bowel resection would be more invasive so I am not much help to you but your team will have all bases covered and will explain to you as much as you want to know . Julia Xbox

[amrpm in reply to Juleswhee]

Thank you much appreciated. I am absolutely terrified. Had so many ops in recent years (Breast Cancer) but this is far the most invasive. 😊😊

[Juleswhee in reply to amrpm]

I found the “before “a real trial , I thought I would pass out with fear before I got to the theatre. Obviously I woke up what seemed like five minutes I got to theatre . I was surprised at how well I got on after the op and let the nursing staff guide me , home after five days .Julia x

[amrpm in reply to Juleswhee]

Thank you so much for this, I feel so stupid being scared - it's nice to know I am not alone☺☺

[Flamingobeef18]

I too was told that this was a possibility before my surgery. But it turned out it was not needed.

I have heard from quite a few ladies who had the same experience so I would not worry about it too much. After all it will only happen if absolutely necessary and I am sure you would take it in your stride.

Just to say if I was in a position to do soI would have everything done privately! For me it is not about the surgery but the aftercare which is the problem. Mine was pretty awful so I am of course biased. Also often it is the little things like good food, a quiet environment, a little privacy that can make a real difference to your feeling of well being even if it does not improve your recovery rate.

By the way I speak as someone who worked for 30 years as a senior health professional primarily in the NHS Trusts where I now receive my treatment.

Best wishes Juliax

[amrpm in reply to Flamingobeef18]

I appreciate the "heads up" particularly from someone who is a professional in the NHS. Both systems have their merits. For me private means the choice of surgeon (my oncologist's recommendation) but I was worried about the after care and what would happen if things went wrong and it's nice to get some reassurance.

[Nancy222]

I had a bowel resection when my ovarian cancer spread to my bowel (luckily for me because that's how I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer). It was a largish tumour. Anyway, the surgeon removed 8" and I haven't had any issues, thank goodness. I ate lightly at first, then gradually increased fibre. The surgeon was most encouraging about the fibre. (Drink lots and lots of water.)

I had the complete hysterectomy at the same time. Everything was fine.

Good luck with what you're going through. Let me know if you have any questions.

XXOO

[amrpm]

Thank you so much. I am awed by all the kindness and support on here. And yes, if I have any questions re post op, I will pm you. Much much appreciated ☺☺

[doodoolatrice]

Hi I had a bowel resection when I had my debulking surgery. Unfortunately my bowel decided to sulk for a few days after my op as it didn't like being manhandled. Sometimes this can happen and it did mean I spent a few days feeling pretty grotty and projectile vomiting. Once my bowel decided to man up and work I felt much better although I had to make sure I wasn't too far from a loo for a few days as I had terrible wind and not very good bowel control. Good luck xx

[amrpm]

Thank you for info - appreciated ☺☺

[Lily-Anne]

I had a stoma after I recurred 3 years ago. It was supposed to be temporary. However second recurrence last year put paid to that.

It’s really not so bad once you get used to it. I sulked as opposed to my stoma sulking, couldn’t believe that what I considered to be just awful had happened. I did have to do lots of deep breaths to stop myself demanding an immediate reversal.

However it’s honestly really doable. I had to learn certain rules. Make sure no more than three days without action. We all have different food tolerances. Sweet corn and peanuts don’t break down I also can’t tolerate peppers any more. Low fibre diet is essential. Sitting on the toilet to ‘go’ also helps fill bag. Wear busy clothes

It’s quite clean and has been a big help while I’m currently not so well

Please don’t be put off by it. Better a bag than cancer cells hanging around

Good luck

LA xx

[amrpm in reply to Lily-Anne]

Thank you so much for this. This is really useful. The advice that the hospital never seems to give you. Yes you are right better a bag than cancer. Spent a lot of time not coping with this (after breast cancer twice) but am awed and heartened by you and everyone else on this forum and by your and their generosity with their time to help and advise. Many many thanks😊😊😊

[Madmarilyn]

I had a bowel resection as part of my recent radical open debulking surgery, following a laparoscopic op in Feb this year and a hysterectomy last Feb. They performed a hemi colonectomy, in medical terms, and though I've had to eat all things beige for a few weeks, (white toast, white pasta, mashed potato, biscuits!) it's been fine if a little dull! I am now able to eat most things, having introduced veg slowly and ensuring it was pretty much incinerated, as advised, and went straight from that into chemo, so get some days when I poop numerous times and some when I don't poop at all, but I'm learning to read the signs about how fast I might need the loo, and understand that holding onto a fart is pretty unlikely these days! Your body is amazing and will get over it way better than you Think!

[amrpm in reply to Madmarilyn]

Thank you for all the info. Appreciated. Question did you do Bowl prep for this? Just finishing off my Bowel prep this morning. Off to hospital in 2 hours. I value your wise words. 😊😊😊

[Madmarilyn]

I did, thought it tasted rather like sherbet, and needed a bit of yellow paraffin on my poor bum hole after all the 'empties,' but that was the only side effect. Loved my first slice of toast about a week later! You will be amazed at how quickly you recover but just take lots of advice as you are doing, eat smaller quantities more often, chew more, and if you like Marmite and cheese, live on that! I had omelettes, enjoyed smoked fish Pies and even stewed apple but you will crave fresh fruit for a bit! Good luck. Please ask anything else you like. Mine was a bowel resection followed a month later by chemo, which I am a third of the way through, so it's handled two smacks and still been OK.

[amrpm]

Many many thanks😊😊😊

[cmania]

I ended up with colostomy after my first surgery. It was an unwanted surprise as the gyn/onc didn’t think my tumors were cancerous to begin with. Mainly because I was 47 pre mena and about 10 other reasons why he thought it wasn’t cancer. My best recommendation is...if you do end up with one or ostomy go on YouTube for help.

I remember being extremely frustrated with the home health nurse.

I still have it as my second surgery that year had to take the leftover cancer and that became a major major surgery.

But I am thankful every day for it now because the concentration was getting the cancer and keeping me alive.

[amrpm]

That’s a very good idea re YouTube. Thanks😊😊😊