APPROPRIATE FOOD TO EAT AFTER COLON RESECTION SURGERY

Thank God for this blog site. Sometimes I feel like I am the only one. I had 4 stoamch surgeries in 9 month, just had a hip replacement and now have a hernia and have to have surgery again. I remember after my sigmoid dolon removal I was very sick and couldnt eat anything, emergent trips to the ladies room, had to go in every store I was in. After 2 years I still have to be really careful and can get sick from eating who knows what, no pattern. I had my gall bladder removed also. Small meals and not lots of fat. But I have put on a lot of weight, its maddening, Im told not to exercise or I could get a hernia, but they are caused by weak stomach muscles. I dont have any! Im hoping my life will turn around and I can get my old self back. My son is 24, slim trim, exercises and eats large pepperoni pizzas like crazy. And one who wrote in is SOOOOOOOO right, you cant get any answers out of the doctors. Ive had this for a year and 3 docs said it was nothing. Only when I went back to my surgeon did I get an answer. Are they gods or monsters?Code:

Hi Again

My problem has gotten worse. Went to my family doctor on tues because I was in so much discomfort . Bowels were just mucus and the pain and pressure was like labour. My doctor was concerned and sent me to local emerg. here in my town and after hours of tests no explanation other than I had been on an antibotic for sinus infection for ten days and might have a bowel infection now. Sent stool sample for testing but will take TWO days to get results back. The day doctor had me all prep for a CT scan but before it took place his shift was over and evening doctor cancelled it. I got upset because firt they have difficulty finding a good vein to use,and why do these doctors always work against each other. He instead informed me I had blood in my urine and needed an outpatient ultra sound the next day and sent me home with 2 -10mg toradal. He also stated if when I came for the ultra sound and I still had the same pain to come over to emerg. which I did because now I am passing blood with mucus in my stool. Most of the time just bloody mucus no bowel.
They again spent the day,urine sample,blood test and exray and CT scan . I look like a pin cushion. The doctor on duty of course is different again and has his opinion which at 4:30 in afternoon decided I will remain in hospital 24hrs. and get treated for bowel infection even though the results not back yet. Now I have spent from 11:30am in emerg. in a storage room for splints and crutches and other fracture items, with no fluids,food and a commode for toilet with no lid to close, because unlike yesterday they believe I can be contagious . My daughter was made to wear gown and gloves to be in this five star accommendations with me. The doctor followed the same rules but nurses came and went with no protection. Even staff came in to get walking casts ,neck braces and other equipment, me there with uncovered commode and waste in it. How does that work? When the evening doc came on she,a different doc again came in no gown or gloves and stated because the sample results could take up to two days to come back she was sending me home. I was in so much pain and hungry by this time I began to cry and said, I have been here for the whole day with not a drop of fluids or a bit of food and everyone comes in and asks what level of pain are you in 1 being lowest and ten be highest. I tell them beteen 7-8 and then they go away and do nothing for me. Now you are just going to send me home with nothing done to help. Docs answer back was well my defination of level 10 pain would giving birth,do you mean that is how bad your pain is,that is hard to believe. Oh I so wanted to cause her some pain. She sent me home at 10pm with a perscription for 30 percocet. Now drugstores close here at 9:00pm so imagine what my night was like. This is our healh care but I am going to make a report to the head of the hospital and demand a response within two days or go to the press. This is not the first bad experience with this hospital but hopefully the last. What happened to Care, Compassion. Now it seems to be fast in and out no matter what and no one working as a team.

I had my surgery done in January and it has been one whole month. Like most of the people on this site I am still unable to eat right. And everything I do eat come's out very painfully. I have talk to my doctor and was told to eat what ever I could tolerate. But that is not easily done. I was in the hospital for 13 day's because every thing I ate would'nt stay down so I would bring up what they called bouwl and then it would come out they other end. It was a very scary time for me and my family. Now I am at home and it seem's like it is'nt getting any easier. Today I finally ate food that did not hurt me. It seem's to me that boiled food's work best. Fried food's, greasy food, cabbage, green's brocolli and fresh fruit's and vegtable' are the worst. Cirtrus and acides cause painful gas to. I haven't had a good night sleep in a month because the pain wake's me up and I had to run to the restroom or sit on the side of the bed and rock. No one explained all this to me and no one had any answer's for me. I eat about 20 very small meals a days because it is the only way for me to eat. And all the Dr. say's is it is going to take time for your bouwl's to start to work normally on there own and every one is different. This is very irritating to me. If I sit to long and go to stand the pain is so bad I could just cry. I hate going anywhere because I am scared I may have an accident and get embarised. so I stay home most of the time. I don't no what to do. Can any one help?

This message is for: annewane my personal opinion is we all need to take control of your own health and the hospital you are going to isn't showing you the respect or giving you the care your deserve. Time to find another hospital that specializes in colon care. Your message alarms me and I don't like what I am reading in regards to the care. Please seek another Dr and specialized staff.

Okay everyone, this Wednesday will be 6 months since my surgery and my eating habits have remained the same. I miss fresh fruits and raw veggies in dip. I grow tired of the bland, cooked, and boiled foods. Chewing 20 times is a good rule, less bulk in the long run.

I try to stay positive and focused on my recovery I have told myself I will give this 12 good months than see my surgeon again if I can't eat with what I consider healthy, fiber enriched foods. I am refusing to believe this is going to be my future in regards to foods and being able to have dinners out at nice restaurants, not to mention traveling. When eating out I ask for pasta with NOTHING on it but olive oil and salt and pepper this is ridiculous, plus they don't adjust the pricing I pay fill price for 1/3 the actual food served.

Has anyone who has had a colon resection able to shed positive results, time-lines or advise? I would assume these people have moved on and are living much more normal loves than us, therefore, they aren't reading this.

Take care all

I had an anterior resection nearly three years ago and I am still suffering with food intolerances. There seems to be no rhyme or reason to things as I can go for months eating a certain food with no problems then all of a sudden it is off to the bathroom every half an hour. As with so many of you my doctors have been unhelpful by saying that I should be back to normal by now. I don't see how anyone can be 'normal' when they have had a large part of their digestive system removed!! Thank you for all the help and ideas, looks like I will have to go back to the drawing board and re-evaluate my diet. Sigh!

I wish the Dr's who specialized in the colon surgery had forewarned me, not that all of us would have chosen to not have surgery. It would have helped to understand and be ready for this change in diet. I have come to the realization that to feel really good I simply don't eat. I go to the gym after eating 1/4 cup plain fat free yogurt and honey, have boiled noodles or rice at lunch, and a light boring dinner. We all know that the right diet is high fiber, fruits and veggies...BUT this is no longer an option for those of us who have had a resection. For a healthy colon we need these foods, now what? Supplements?
,
To read the last posting saddens me, to think this could go on for 2 1/2 more years +. I'm not sure if I will be able to accept this.
I meet with my surgeon this month, the first time I will have a one-on-one since August 2010. I plan to be firm and express my unhappiness and discontent with the communication he provided me.

I will keep you posted.

Seeing all of this is striking me as very very odd. Maybe the type of surgeries and amount of resections, etc make's a big difference here. I just had a laproscopic sigmoidectomy for acute diverticulitis. Not sure how much he took out, 6-8 in I think is normal for that procedure... I was back on a full diet 2 days later, 3 days discharged from the hospital. Only thing my doctor said was, Go ahead and eat whatever, just don't go nuts. I assume he meant retain a normal "healthy" diet.
I have a co-work thats a couple decades older than i am that had the surgery over 6 years ago, said after a couple months, he was good to go and it changed his life, no more pain or outbreaks, no problems eating whatever he wants.
I have to feel either something in terms of the type (lap or full cut), amount and where the resection was, or possible complications that haven't been disclosed here must be relevant to the number of problematic posts here.
I'm sorry so many seem to be having so much trouble, but I would do a search on Diverticular diets. most tend to be good lists of solid fibers, with recommendations to avoid undercooked red meats.

Having a laproscopic sigmoidectomy for acute diverticulitis is very different than having a 8 + inch incision from your belly button to the top of your pubic bone. Not to mention 18" of my colon removed. The recovery from the major abdominal surgery from the incision alone was traumatic and painful. I had laproscopic surgery to remove my uterus the recovery was quite easy and not at all painful, the recovery was a breeze 1 week max. But, than again that surgery wasn't a huge disruption to my digestive system and bowl.

I believe that the number of people who have experienced what has happened when they have had a large section of their colon removed along with the long incision have expressed their personal recover accurately. I have read several other sites where individuals have expressed what has happened to them, check them out you will read the same.

It has been 7 months for me and I can finally say I am doing great, I have a few foods that bother me but feel I am finally on the mend.
Back working out and able to wear jeans, the seam and zipper was painful until recently.

Hello All,
I had 6inches of my descending colon removed 2 months ago. because of a perforation during the removal of a tubulovolious adenoma during a colonoscopy. 3 days ICU and 6 on wards with nothing to eat.
I asked what foods to avoid and was told nuts and fruits with seeds.
I dont know when I can eat these again if ever.
Other than that I ve ate just about everything I did before with no ill effects.
I initailly ate lots of high fiber breads and yogurt but the weight piled on. I went on Vacation to Mexico and ate everything , drank anythng I wanted and had no problems. Drink lots of water.
I switched over to a high Protein Low carb diet 2 weeks ago and dropped 12lbs.
So I guess I am one of the lucky ones.
I really havent found anything yet thats given me serious issues. I guess you just have to trial and error it.
Good Luck take care all
John

I had a colon re-sectioning 1.5 yrs ago. I believe the whole food thing has a lot to do with why it was necessary to have the surgery to begin with. For me the final outcome was to go on a gluten-free diet. This is what I believe reduced any inflammation that was causing loose stools, bloating, gas, cramping...all of which 'seemed' like IBS. My history of diverticulosis automatically eliminated hard to digest things like seeds/nuts. Fiber suppliments had me drinking gallons of H2o and then the dam would burst. It was terrible. In addition, I developed a severe, gnawing pain that became chronic. The docs just blew me off and said, "well, we had to cut through nerve tissue!" Man, what chuckle heads. If you've got pain, something is wrong!

After reading up and realizing that between the wind my body was producing and any inflammation that was occurring I was in a situation that was more messed- up than before the surgery. Soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo, here's what I eat:
Minimal sugar because sugar encourages inflammation. No wheat because gluten causes inflammation. No caffine because it's an irritant. No meat because it's hard for even a normal system to digest. Truth be told, I'm eating better than ever (and I used to be in the restaurant business.) You've just got to really educate yourself and give your body a fighting chance by going organic (but avoid the usual stuff that causes gas like cabbage, etc.) Take your vitamins, herbal supps and pro-biotics with lots of good H2o. My pain was so bad that I actually have to pulverize my vitamins in a morter and pestal to take. Dry, crunchy stuff is a no-no. If you can tell it's rough, imagine what your chopped up colon is doing with it?

Face it, you only have one colon and if it's messed up, you're screwed so make the investment and buy the healthy stuff.
DON'T COUNT ON THE BASTARD DOCTORS TO TELL YOU MUCH. EDUCATE YOURSELF.

Had my large intestine removed 3 years ago because it was not functioning could not go to the bathroom after this surgery still constipated gain weight because carbs are the only thing that does not fill stuck in me! Help

my mum is 2 weeks post-op and is vegetarian and iam have trouble finding foods for her to eat. does anyone have any ideas??

This is my second post but I feel absolutely compelled to write again after reading more entries. The doctors will not give you any information beyond the obvious even then, it only applies to the short period following surgery. You can not resume your old eating habits without running risks. If you begin too soon, you'll end up like the one poster swinging from too loose to too hard. Look folks, it's really not rocket science but we all need guidance and the docs don't provide it BECAUSE THEY DON'T KNOW.

The fastest way to get back into trouble is to eat indiscriminately too early...I'm talking a couple of months. Not only does the colon have to heal, it's basicially been brought to a halt and needs to be RE-EDUCATED! It's been messed with and it is cranky. So cranky, in fact that it just might shut down. Don't risk it. Go slowly and test foods. Maybe something will be fine for 2-3 days and then trouble. That represents how far you are in the healing process, NOT 100%. I repeat, go slow. After more than a year I find I'm fine for a couple of weeks and then wham, back to the extremes. Each time I pull out of it by giving the colon a rest (no food,) and then slowing introduce easy to digest foods. LEAVE THE DORITTOS FOR THE KIDS...you can't afford it!

There is a great product called "CleanseMore" to keep regular. They also have "DiarrheaStop" which is fast, gentle and won't get you in trouble. As mentioned in the first post, beware of GLUTEN. If your issue is bloating, gas, cramping try eliminating gluten products (bread, crackers, cookies, cakes,) anything with wheat products in it. There are alternative breads, etc. I had terrible chronic pain for a year then went Gluten free and was painless within 36 hours. Amazing! Exercise is the other bugaboo for me. It seems to stretch the intestine in a way that it definitely doesn't like. Once again, trial and error.

Remember you've only got one. Keep it healthy.

I HAD MY COLON REMOVED IN 2010 ALL 30INCHES OF IT I MAINTAIN MY WEIGHT O.K. BUT ITS A STRUGGLE ANY IDEAS HOW I CAN DO IT WITH OUT STRUGGLINGING
TODAY I GOT FED UP WITH HAVING TO WATCH SO CLOSE WHAT I EAT IM 50 AND WEIGH 147LBS I HATE MY WEIGHT BUT IF I GET SICK ILL NEED IT TO SURVIVE IF I GO IN THE HOSPITAL I GUESS I HAVE DIARHEA ALL THE TIME I DONT DRINK CARBONATED BEVERAGES I DRINK WATER SUGERFREE KOOLAID {WHICH IWAS TOLD 2 DAYS A GO I HAVE TO STOP BECAUSE THE SUGARFREE SWEETNER IN THE KOOLAID CAUSES DIAHREA}AND TWO CUPS OF COFFEE A DAY { WHICH THEY SAID I HAVE TO GET AWAY FROM THE CAFFEINE CAUSES DIAHREA TOO SO NOW IM B EING TOLD TO STAY AWAY FROM VEGGIES VINEGAR LETTUCE CORN NUTS SEEDS GRAIN BREAD WATCH THE CHEESE AND THE FRUIT THAT LEAVES EGGS TOAST SOUP CHICKEN FISH MASHED POTATOES CARROTS YOGURT/NOFRUIT PUDDINGS JELLOS PASTA.COMEON GUYS THIS IS ALL FATTENING STUFF ICALLED A NEW DR HE SAID SOMETHING HAS TO BE WRONG BESIDES THE COLON REMOVAL SO NOW THEIR GOING TO DO A STOOL STUDY WISH ME LUCK O.K. I ENJOYED READING YOUR STORIES THEY HELPED ME HOPE YOU ALL GET THE HELP YOU NEED AND IF YOU WANT TO WRITE AND ***this post is edited by moderator *** *** private e-mails not allowed **
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HAVE A BLESSED DAY

I am two and a half weeks post op, I was lucky I had a oncologist nurse who really knew his stuff and prewarned me about what I would not be able to eat for aleast 6-8 weeks, and then introduce slowly. The diet is boring and stodgy especially for a vegetarian who is also wheat intolerant, I have also found that lactose free dairy products are easier than the normal. But after not being allowed to eat for 5 days after surgey, I was happy to be allowed to eat something. I also found small mels are better and eat slowly.
good luck everyone i HOPE YOU ALL GET WELL SOON.