Long term effects from a low anterior resection

Great news about your cancer Tina!

Hi everyone

I am from Australia. I've had my resection but not my ileostomy reversed yet (on chemo now that'll probably happen in Feb or March).

I am treated at a hospital with a specialist colorectal cancer unit. The specialist nurse there is leading a study with the stoma nurses - they are teaching colonic irrigation to people who are still incontinent after bowel or rectal surgery. I'm pretty sure you ned to be taught how to do it properly but they say it has good results for a lot of people (like 24 hours without needing to do a bowel movement).

You can find a little info about it about and here is the link : http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19452159

One thing I have found really useful to slow down my stoma output is white marshmallows. They give me a few hours of no output. I know this is not the same after the stoma is reversed but might be worth a try for some of you out there?

Good luck everyone

Chelsea

Retrograde colonic irrigation for faecal incontinence after low anterior resection.
Koch SM, Rietveld MP, Govaert B, van Gemert WG, Baeten CG.
Source

Department of Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Centre, 6202 AZ Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS:

This study aims to evaluate the therapeutic effect of retrograde colonic irrigation in patients with faecal incontinence after a low anterior resection for a rectal carcinoma.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Patients with a previous low anterior resection, who were selected for treatment with retrograde colonic irrigation for faecal incontinence between 2005 and 2008, were included in the study. The data from the patients were gathered by chart research and an interview by phone.
RESULTS:

Thirty patients were included in the study. Three patients died and one patient was not able to answer questions due to a cognitive disorder. The data of the remaining 26 patients were analysed. Five patients had already stopped with the retrograde colonic irrigation treatment due to side effects. Twelve of the 21 patients (57.46%) who still performed RCI became completely (pseudo)continent, three patients (14.2%) were incontinent for flatus and six patients (29.4%) were still incontinent for liquid stool. Five patients stopped with the retrograde colonic irrigation treatment due to side-effects.
CONCLUSION:

Retrograde colonic irrigation is an effective method to treat patients with faecal incontinence after a low anterior resection for rectal carcinoma. Retrograde colonic irrigation is not invasive and has only mild side effects.

Hello!  I'm a 46 year old female.  I had a colon resection 5 1/2 wks ago and did a ton of reading to find foods I could tolerate after I came home.  Actually anything that would help the symptoms I was having.  Swollen rectum, abdomen, irritation after using the restroom, heartburn.  It seems not everything works for everyone and some of that depends on what type of surgery and how much of the colon they removed.  I'm just going to post what worked for me and hope someone finds it helpful because after changing my diet I was so much better within 24 hrs it was amazing.  I had 18 inches of colon removed and as I told the surgeon, I was the fiber queen before the operation.  I had extensive diverticulosis ( runs in the family - numerous family members - including my Mom and Dad )  We differ on whether this is hereditary, which I totally believe it is and even the literature differs on what you read.  Gas was a huge problem with horrible pain at night.

So, after I had the surgery I was told to "eat anything you want" - that seems to work for some but not for me.  I found several folks that went to a nutritionist and followed their advice and the results were everything I was looking for and more.  First of all, I cut out all fiber foods including cereal.  I started my day with eggs for breakfast since the colon needs protein to heal ( I thought they would cause gas, they did not ) baked potatoes, white rice, white bread.  Soups were a good meal. Warm tea and cranberry juice for inflammation.  Green beans and carrots digested well ( cooked - nothing raw )  Anything I deemed healthy before the surgery ( whole grain ) I cut it out.  Yogurt was a lifesaver ( my system was totally disrupted of its "good stuff" ) - which I found out they recommend at the surgeons office "if someone calls" .. well would have been nice to know that when I was leaving the hospital .. anyway I digress .. The abdominal swelling went down over night and I immediately quit taking the Vicoden.  I only took a half a pill at night to be able to sleep and I firmly believe if you can live without it you can function better mentally and get up and get moving which is known to help the colon function better.  I took ibuprophen and tylenol for mild pain.  I drank tons of water and walked as much as I could tolerate because I became exhuasted easily.

I slowly started working foods back into my diet about 3 days after everything calmed down and I take Metamucil with foods I know will "slow down" my system.  I love cheese but really watch it.  I am pretty much back to normal and eating anything I want now.  I still haven't given beans a try again because of the gas LOL but I love them and will eventually. 

I believe the surgeons think they are telling us what is best because they want to keep things moving but my system could not tolerate the extensive fiber intake I had before.  My stools are pretty much back to normal size and I go about 3 times a day - it was 10 or more right after the surgery and for nearly two weeks.  I really hope this is helpful because I suffered for the first few weeks and believe I could have improved faster with a little dietary direction.  Keep in mind everything is inflammed and the goal is to get rid of that and the tissue will heal faster.  Best of luck!!

 

It is hardly likely I had a lower anterior Resection all of My Lower Intfestions exept fot to Reconnect sites to the Rectum and to the small Intestion....all done in Febuary of 2012 I have YET to have a Bowel tat was either like normal diahrea to Burning Lava water from My Body I have a Raw botton that No cream soothes I wish I could have a Colon Transplant.GOD HELP ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I haven't read all of the posts below, so apologies if I'm doubling up.

I had a similar operation in October 2012. Delighted not to have a stoma. But did encounter similar problems, ie regular and too loose. However, there is a miracle cure - and it is Fybogel. £2.50 for 10 sachets from your pharmacist, or Sainsburys.

Good luck.

My doctor prescribed a Lidocaine ointment. I can send you what is on the label. It initially stings a bit but really helped with the Lava problem. I believe most of the pain comes from fissures caused by just over activity and over cleaning which dries the tissues too much. It's kind of like dishpan hands where your knuckles get red and cracked. He also recommended Balneol lotion to help clean. Baby wipes are not the answer! A friend of mine uses generic hair conditioner as a lotion rather than Balneol. CVS sells "Hygenic Cleansing Lotion" which works fine as well. It took me over 9 months to get to a point where I felt things were under control. I now take Metamucil every morning which helps alot. It can and will get better.

Here is the prescription for the lidocaine ointment:
NiFED o.4PC/LIDO 5PC OINT CMPD
Qty:30
Your doctor can write a prescription for it or something similar.
This is a compounded prescription rather than an off the shelf product.

 you Should know it has been a year for Me and it only has gotten worse for Me.I have the Loose stools which make My Butt and Rectum Burn Like Lava coming out. Try Metamucil Fiber cookis 3 times a day,probiotic Yogurts and A&D Ointment with added Lidocream added to it This is a Tgempory fix because Next Bowel movement You have To clean an Re_Apply I am living in Hell My Movements BURN,and also My Skin is raw to Bleeding. I sometimes wish I could get a colon Transplant BUT>>>>>Where do You Get such a THING>  I Pray YOU Get Better But the Things  more so the Probioti yougurt or PILL kill bad Germs that will cause YOU to Get C-Diff Keep in touch with the Intestinal Doctor Maybe YOU can Get a colon  Lorraine

 

Went through a LAR in Oct 05 and tried the Immodium and Metomucil and finally got tired of waking up having accidents and going 8-12 times a day. About 4 years ago I've been using tap water enemas twice a week and I've been able to live my normal life again and never changed my diet or anything. I hope I don't have problems with this because its worked out so well for me. Good luck I you cuz this is one the doctors never discuss with you.

I had lower colon resection also due to diverticulitis, but have been in severe pain for 5 months in the bottom and rectum area like constant spasms and Dr. thinks it is colitis. Nothing works for pain and stools are same as yours, unpredictable and cramping afterwards I have pain like having a baby, I hope some one is able to diagnose and give me some help for relief .

Hi Yeargan i had colon resection about a year ago and i manage to cope with a strict diet and a alternative drink each morning 

although with a colon disorder prior to op , i go to the toliet every 3 days and than its like a pooh factory ,hopefully this can be sorted soon as i find i have to lie down most of the day due to constipation ,but i am trialing another drink in the day so will let you know how it works .

Website will go up for your use with recipes and other resources this year wil keep you updated take care.

Diet can change alot of your pain 

I had LAR surgery on 2/27 via the DI Vinci Surgical System. The biggest issue I am having is the pressure to go to the bathroom (#2). The pressure is more frequent than normal. Does it get any better with time. I keep having to squeeze my rectum think that if I relax I am going to go! I can pass gas but I have to bis sitting or laying on my back. My only relief is to take my pain med to help relax my rectum muscles.

Help please?

PMiller

It's been 10 months since my LAR procedure. At a six month check-up, I finally got a chance to ask the surgeon about what's going on, many of my complaints the same as what I've been reading here. His advice: understand that your body has been through a trauma, and you have about an inch of scar tissue in your colon that will take time to heal. It will take 9-12 months before your system gets over the trauma. Take fiber supplements _and_ Immodium AD to better regulate your system (counterintuitive, he admitted). And of course eat well and exercise. My oncologist later added that I should take two doses of fiber every day, that it's very important to have one movement a day.

They were right, my condition stabilized soon after visiting my surgeon. I have a theory that the surgical trauma and scar tissue leave the rectum somewhat out of touch with the rest of the system. I have to make a conscientious effort to go once a day, and am sometimes surprised to find out just how ready my system was to evacuate.

Be well, everyone!

I am having is surgery in a couple of days to remove a cancerous tumor from my midsection of rectum. I was wondering how much weight everyone lost as a result of this recovery. I don't really need to lose any but wondered if there is weight loss associated with this surgery and recuperation. Thanks 

Hi, it's been seven years for me and I am in terrible pain. I so so get what you are feeling!!! If you are still on here, I can give you some ideas that have helped me alot and am using now to make it through each day. Robin :)

 

hi my name is James, I have had the same surgery, its been a year and 8 months and "boy" you are in for a life change of eating habits, to those who are about to have this done, get ready for a lot of pain and suffering of all the food you chow down, love to eat, I mean really love what you eat !!! and how you eat it !!!. stock your medicine cabinet with all kinds of laxatives because you're gonna need it guaranteed !!!!. everything you digest, you will feel it when it hit the spot where you've been cut at and "wow" it is uncomfortable. I have to cleanse myself out of what little food I eat every week just to go to work, I have a driving position which makes it very hard for me to sit still if I had eaten anything. at lease 2 to 3 days a week I don't eat just to not go to the bathroom and to get that normal feeling again so I can feel good. well" that's it for now, my email is 

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