Open colon resection surgery

I had a colon resection almost two years ago.

One afternoon I went to the bathroom and had diarrhea then an hour or so later I felt constipated and as the night wore on I was in increasing pain and could not have a BM. I was screaming in pain!

I had pain on my side, fever and severe chills all night.

I suffered through the night unable to sleep went to the ER at dawn the next morning.

I had diverticulitis. I was admitted to the hospital and was told I had absesses on my colon which they attempted to drain. A few days later a CT scan was done and more absesses were found.
Surgery was iminent.

My surgeon told me I might have to have a bag.
I did not have to have a bag afterall but I was very, very ill.

I had peritonits and could have died. My surgeon told me I had one of the most diseased colons he had ever seen.

I was in the hospital eighteen days. While I was in the hospital they discovered I had diabetes II.

When I went home from the hospital I had home nurses who came to clean and bandage my wound.

My wound was seven centimeters deep and wound not heal probably due to the diabetes. I also had numerous yeast infections at the wound site.
Two months after the surgery I was told that I would need to have outpatient surgery to reopened the wound and have a wound vac put on to promote healing.

All in all it took about 11 months for the incision to completely heal without breaking open and bleeding.

After the first surgery I had alot of diarrhea and alot of gas.
I feel fine now two years later.

I felt fine before the first diverticulitis attack except for feeling tired.

I also noticed brief periods of blood in my stool and a severe bout of acid reflux a few weeks before the diverticulis attack.
If you have diverticulitis don't ignore it. I had peritonitis which could have costs me my life. Of course I had absesses but this is nothing to let go.

I started out w/ my first attack of diverticulitis in july 2006 - sent me to the ER for a 4 hour visit. Was prescribed antibiotics and recovered within 3-4 days. Had the second attack in may of 2008 (not as bad as the first). My gastroenterologist said that he usually takes part of the colon after the third mild attack, but in the case of me being so young to have diverticulitis - 31, he would go ahead and take some of it out . At the beginning of august we scheduled the sigmoid colon resection for 9/16/08. Who would have thought I would have my third attack in the meantime (8/11/08). This felt the worst yet but didn't go to the er because they would only pump pain meds in me and do another ct scan to confirm the attack (I do not indorse avoiding the doctor or er). The attack ended up being more serious than I felt - my colon had perforated (a tear), but had walled itself off against my gall bladder. It wasn't noticed until the surgery, which surprised the surgeon. Anyhoo, as soon as I began to recover (and too soon I thought) The surgery was moved up to 2 days from that point 8/21/08. The surgery, thankfully, was done laporoscopically. I had surgery on thursday afternoon, had gas by sunday night, bowel movement monday morning, came home tuesday morning. I was put on regular diet tuesday morning - a shock considering I hadn't eaten food in 2 weeks (I was just about to move up from full liquid diet to pureed regular foods after the third attack, then came the surgery and no eating for another week). It is now friday - 8 days post surgery and am sitting in a recliner typing this. The surgery went flawless - thanks to many prayers and a great surgeon. The recovery has been great with slight soreness from the exit scar - 4 inch incision. I imagine it is just the soreness of the abdominal muscles. Digestion has been a little slow, but am eating little snacks of bland foods. Doc says aside from taking the staples out next week, he should never see me again. I do believe in the power of prayer and in the medical staff that took care of me.

jem

I had 2 bouts of this issue this past summer, both landing me in the hospital for 3 days each time. I decided to have the open surgery to have this issue corrected as I can't keep doing these unexpected hospital stays and I'm diabetic. I felt that I should be proactive. I had the surgery 3 weeks ago and I've been up walking since day 2, morphine assisted. Stopped the assist on day 4 and have been up and moving since. Slowly, but stronger each day. I will be heading back to work in 1 more week. The biggest issues I had were the gas trapped in my shoulders, that took almost 2 weeks to move out and was very painful, and constipation. I do get some pain on my left when I'm constipated and will talk to the dr about this issue at my appt. I do eat a high fiber diet and drink plenty of water, but have found that a stool softener helps too. I know it's early to say and I hope that everything stays on track with my recovery, but so far so good.

I just want to tell everyone I just had my colon resection 9 days ago, done open and I too am feeling pretty good, mostly taking motrin for pain.
I am 55 and was in good health before.
I would prepare and educate yourself as much as possible.
To have surgery or not, is a personal matter. I was afraid to continue on this path, even though my attacks were mild, they were frequent.
Good luck with this surgery and feel free to write me if you would like any more information.
_[removed]_ :-D

In June 2008, I went to the hospital for a routine colonoscopy, because I have a family history of colon cancer and a personal history of colon polyps. During the colonoscopy, the MD performing the procedure discovered a very large polyp which could not be removed by snaring. He scheduled me for an immediate resection. I had the procedure, done by open bowel resection that afternoon. I spent five days in the hospital and, except for the immediate aftermath of the procedure ( first 24 hours), had very little pain. After I returned home, I began doing my usual activities -- very light housework, cooking, and even driving short distances. My stitches came out twelve days later. I spent three weeks recuperating and returned to work.
Good luck to everyone undergoing this procedure.

I just had a colon resection about a month ago and I feel about 95% already. It was performed laproscopily and thankfully I did not need a colostomy. I had about 10 inches removed as there were two infected areas with diverticulitis. Prior to the procedure the surgeon reccommended that I get an epidural for pain management after the surgery, as they said it concetrated the pain relief in the area where it needed to be as opposed to the morphine drip which just makes you woozy. I took their advice and the pain afterwards was manageable. I was in the hospital for 5 days and recovered at home for 3 weeks before going back to work.

The key to recovery is to walk walk walk. You are going to feel crampy and bloated for a few weeks, but walking is the best way to heal quickly. When I returned to work, no-one believed that I actually had the surgery based on how I looked.

If you are nervous about the surgery, don't be. Make sure you are comfortable with your surgeon and you will be fine.

In April of 2008 I had a motorcycle accident which broke my pelvis and perforated my colon. In order to allow it to heal the docs did a temporary colostomy. After 8 months, I finally had the operation to have the colostomy reversed, They had to remove the small section of colon that formed the ostomy, but they were able to do that and rejoin the colon without any problems. I was in the hospital for 4 days, they had me up and walking after the first day. For the first 3 days they had me on an automated pain dispenser, and then afterwards, oral pain medications. I started having gas, sometime on the third day and I went home the evening of the 4th day after passing a small stool. The pain medication was causing me to be constipated so I stopped taking it on day 6. Day 7 was miserable as I had diarrea the entire day. The diarrea slowly faded over the next couple of days and by the second week my stools were back to normal. It has now been almost 4 weeks since the surgury, and I will return to the office on Monday. I still have some slight discomfort at the wound site, but it is nothing an aspirin can't handle. Doc says that I should be fully recovered after about 6 weeks and can start (slowly) working out again.

Hey everyone I am new to this but here is my question.

My husband had a partial colonectmy on Dec 18 th. On the 21st the doctor said it looked infected so he took the staples out, Then he sent him home with a open wound.. It is about 5 inches long, 3 inches wide and 3 inches deep. On the 24 he sent him home like that (open) We had a home nurse in once to repack it and teach mem then she came in the next day to watch me change it, and mow I have to change his packing everyday. He seems to be getting worse pain each day even though the wound itself looks clean and healthy.

Has any one ever heard of a doctor sending home a patient with an open wound like that before??? How is it going to heal together if it is so packed? I have not spoken directly to his doctor since his surgery just her associates, I am so tired of this kind of treatment from his doctors and need any help you can offer thanks

After yrs of Divertitculitis and much pain I had the Colon resection w/o lapro. I was 7 days in Hospital and back to work within 10 days. But I was taking it very easy. I have not had one problem and have never felt better. If you take fiber con caps at least 2 per night post op it helps to have a great bowel movement. I am still afraid of sesame seeds and will not eat them. Popcorn is another killer I had. I suggest the old fashion way of surgery so they can see everything. I was only in pain when I walked after the surgery. a lot of walking post op is your ticket out of the hospital.
Recovery time went fast. I did have to sleep in a recliner for a couple of weeks, cause getting into and out of bed was a trip. GO FOR IT you will feel 100% new. You will have to stay on much fiber the rest of your life. But that's a good thing...

Late 2007 I went in for a routine colonoscopy (because of prior non-cancerous polyp history). A large polyp was found and scraped off the inside of my colon but lab results said it had severe dysplasia. It was recommended I have 12" of my colon removed as well as lymph nodes in the area "just in case there were cancer cells" left in the colon wall. I did the surgery which ended up 18" being removed.
Now I'm suffering from depression wondering if I made the right decision to have such a major surgery for something that turned out to be nothing after all. I have different aches and pains now (such as in my upper left side constantly) that I never had before. I feel like I've ruined my life doing the surgery because I'll never be the same.

Anyone else experiencing this? By the way - I'm in my mid 40's.

I had a coloectomy (open) about two months ago. The surgeon took about 6 inches of my sig. colon and 6 lymph nodes out. The sigmoid colon was removed due to stage 1 cancer. I am only 29 yrs old! I was in the hospital for approx. 5 days. I was NPO for two days after the surgery. The third day in the hospital, I experienced horrible gas pains when the doc got me on a clear liq. diet. The on-call doc that night which wasnt the primary doc put me back on NPO. The next day the gas stopped. My primary doc (surgeon) found out Im NPO and put be back on liq. diet. A week in the hospital, I did not have a bowel movement. If I did, only blood came out. (sorry to be so graffic). I was discharged from the hospital 5 days after my surgery. I didnt have a bowel movement until two and a half weeks after sugery. Thereafter, they were frequent bowel movements. I would have a bowel movement six times a day! My stool were normal not bloody. Two and a half months after surgery, I still have frequent bowel movements. ITs sooo inconvient esp. at work!

Hello,
I recently had an attack of diverticulitis in April 2009 I went into the hospital received iv antibiotics for 5/days came home and was on oral antibiotics for another 20/days then in may one month after my first attack I was hospitalized again with abdominal pain, burning chills sick to my stomach that was may 5,2009 on may 26,2009 they did a colonoscopy and said my colon is still inflamed. this week I have a barium enema to see exactly were the disease part are for sure and there talking removing 50% of my colon. I'm scarred don't understand why it won't heal can anyone give me so answers.

Dear Friend,

I just had a colon resection done on May 29th. I too had a diseased colon that would not heal. I cant say why yours will not heal but part of my colon had twisted into a mass of diverticuli. I had been on antibiotocs for 6 months and still had no relief from the disease. One week ago I had the resection surgery performed and I am already beginning to feel better. I can honestly say that I do not regret having he surgery. I had never had surgery before and I too was very scared but it is not as bad as you think it will be. It is natural to fear the unknown but the results are worth it.

David

Hi, I am new to this site but as I read the posted comments, I can't help but relate and give my story. I am confused and don't know what to do. I had my first diverticulitis attack in March of 2008. Had no idea where the pain was coming from and ended up in ER for CT scan - turned out I had abcess in the ascending colon as it turns into the transverse colon. Antiboitics were given and colonoscopy was given. Everything cleared up. Fast forward to March 13, 2009, same pain in lower left abdomen. Ended up in ER again, CT scan showed case of diverticulitis. Meds given and released. Followed up w/another colonoscopy w/GI doctor 2 weeks later. Area still had pus but was clearing up. May 13, 2009 another attack occurs but by this time i knew what it was and was able to avoid another visit to ER. GI doctor gave meds and advised about possible surgery. I am female and 37 yrs of age. Got two different opinion and both recommend lap sugery due to attacks and my age. Have had several ct scans and surgery was scheduled for june 23, 2009. Surgeron stated that the area to be removed was in the sigmoid colon. The day before the surgey, surgeon cancels because after reviewing all past tests he was looking at having to remove half of the colon. The descending and sigmoid colon and that was something he didn't want to have to do. He wanted to have one more test done - barium enema. That was done june 24, 2009 and that was not Fun!! So, I am waiting for news from the surgeon on what he wants to do. Should i even have the surgery? I am scared that a perforation may occur on the next attack. What if I never have another attack? Elective surgery would be better than emergency surgey but is surgery even warranted in this situation? I do have a recurring pain on the left side of the abdomen - comes and goes. I know that i never had this pain before. So many questions...don't know what to do. Any advice?

I was very frightened and put my surgery off for more than 18 months. Bad mistake . . . the problem only gets worse and you lose options as you literally start to rot from the inside out. Make sure that you are VERY comfortable with your surgeon!

Results: I am now 5 weeks post op. The open proceedure is a must unless you are a bikini model and at 57 my bikini days are long past. As my surgeon was operating he noticed that my appendix looked unusual. Biopsy revealed I had appendix cancer :O - - never even heard of it before. This operation saved my life . . . twice. Go ahead and have the appendix taken out with your proceedure.

My occupation requires me to stand all day so I will return to work in two weeks. Very pleased with my decision. :-D