The shape of my stomach has changed after colon resection surgery, what can I do?

I have the same situation, colon cut due to diverticulitis and left with huge bulge on right side of stomach. what does your surgeon call the therapy machine? is it possible to get name? any help would be appreciated. Julie Leroy

I am 4 months post colostomy reversal. About a month ago, I had to purchase an entire New wardrobe. My stomach doesn't have the butt cheek effect, but I do look 9 months pregnant!!! Due to the corona virus stay in, I haven't really gone out. I had to buy mostly tank type dresses. I still look pregnant, but the dresses make it easier on my stomach.

Did you have the plastic surgery to repair the distention and if so how did it turn out? Also how did the insurance coverage go? I’m in the same boat as everyone on this thread. Was flat, no bloated and pregnant pooch. Have Cigna primary and Medicare secondary

I am so sorry you had to go through all that but doctors are human beings and the can't fix us. I was in the same condition as you but I repeatedly told them something was going on finally after MRI they got to see large intestine was packed and twisted in pretzel shape all the way. So now I have never had such a big tire and it's embarrassing but I've been alive for 30 years longer then doctor told me I wouldn't get to 45 - I'm now 67 yrs. old and it's truly been horrendous but I find my comfort in getting to my grandchildre become young adult and I don't eat for 12 hrs. if I have to go out so be strong God has a reason for all we endure with grace. So I am looking for my perfect body when I get to see Jesus. Be strong and find that humor and laughter you had and feel peace within yourself. I thank God for letting me be able to do so much for my mom when she was ill so think about what you can do and choose to enjoy your life. I say thank you Jesus when I get up and when I lay down I start talking with Him I only get 3 or 4 hrs. in 24 hours. I'm told people go crazy but I've been like this since I was born have a detective gene. So start doing something you enjoy it will make a difference, will keep you in my prayers Carmen.

Same here. Why aren't they answering our questiions? i believe i would have taken my chances if i had known it would look like it does. I look like i'm 9 months pregnant.

Sorry, I am not a doctor but had the exact same experience you have had (and obviously others!). My protruding stomach is embarrassing because I've always been a slender person. After having 10" of colon removed, I lost 10 pounds . For the first 6 months I remained around 115 lbs & thought that's my new weight so I bought new (smaller) slacks/jeans. Six months later I was up to 122 and I swear those 7 pounds belong to my "new" stomach. Like others in this discussion, I have serious bloating on occasion -- my new waistline is just below the bulging stomach area. I do look about 4 months pregnant. I have not asked my surgeon about this. I think since this apparently is not unusual after colon resectioning, the patient should be warned to expect it!!! I'm writing only to say I am grateful to those who have also asked the questions because at least now I know it doesn't mean I have a tumor or something growing inside of my stomach!! I looked at the Dr's web site who supposedly had answers for us but he didn't even address bloating/fat stomach issue -- so evidently, no doctor has an answer. At least I'm old enough that people won't be asking me when the baby is due!!

This helps me a lot. I still have bouts of nausea and diareah and of course bloating, it has been 7 weeks. I friend told me about the aloe vera, I did buy it but was afraid to try it, now I will. Thank you.

I'm so sorry to hear what you are going through. I had the colon resection in October 2020. I suffered from terrible bloating and digestive problems. I was heading for another total bowel closure. Then I tripped upon Clear Passage (in the USA and UK) which dissolves the collagen adhesions which form post-surgery. Anyone on this post suffering from the same, look this up. Once you know what to look for you find it online. Dr Wurn created a therapy. However, it's very expensive at £5,000 or $7,000 for 20 hours treatment. What they do is deep visceral massage, which breaks / dissolves the collagen adhesions which form uncontrollably after any abdominal / uterine surgery. You can also go to your local physiotherapist and do 2 x 2 hours daily for 5 days and get the same results as long as they know how to work on adhesions. Then you need to feel your own abdomen regularly and apply a tool to work on any other adhesions that form. I am digesting food much more easily now and bloating far less.

My stomach is also a weird shape and bulges out at the front. This is because the muscle has been cut below my navel and the muscles are still separate. To anyone reading this who has recently had abdominal surgery, there are two things you need to do as soon as the scar is healed. The first 1. is see a physiotherapist for scar therapy to minimise your scar. 2. See a physiotherapist regularly from about week 8 to feel for and work on adhesions. This way they won't continue to grow and tie up most of your intestines and cause terrible bloating, digestive issues. They will also give you core exercises and stretching exercises to bring the cut muscles back together. The earlier you can start this the more likely you will be able to knit the lower abdominal muscles back together. Unfortunately, I'm learning this 1 year 2 months later, so I can hope to bring them closer, but don't know that I can knit them back together. I hope this helps.

I'm writing the same as I wrote to Dmartin below. You and I have many of the same issues post colon resection. I was in so much distress and eating was becoming more and more problematic. I absolutely did not want another colon blockage and a poop bag hanging off my side....

I had the colon resection in October 2020. I suffered from terrible bloating and digestive problems. I was heading for another total bowel closure. Then I tripped upon Clear Passage (in the USA and UK) which dissolves the collagen adhesions which form post-surgery. Anyone on this post suffering from the same, look this up. Once you know what to look for you find it online. Dr Wurn created a therapy. However, it's very expensive at £5,000 or $7,000 for 20 hours treatment. What they do is deep visceral massage, which breaks / dissolves the collagen adhesions which form uncontrollably after any abdominal / uterine surgery. You can also go to your local physiotherapist and do 2 x 2 hours daily for 5 days and get the same results as long as they know how to work on adhesions. Then you need to feel your own abdomen regularly and apply a tool to work on any other adhesions that form. I am digesting food much more easily now and bloating far less.

My stomach is also a weird shape and bulges out at the front. This is because the muscle has been cut below my navel and the muscles are still separate. So anytime I tense my muscles they don't pull in and down, they are pulled up and out and form a dome shape. The weird shape is there because the muscles have a gap between the two sides and kind of sit up, rather than lie flat.

To anyone reading this who has recently had abdominal surgery, there are two things you need to do as soon as the scar is healed. The first 1. is see a physiotherapist for scar therapy to minimise your scar. 2. See a physiotherapist regularly from about week 8 to feel for and work on adhesions. This way they won't continue to grow and tie up most of your intestines and cause terrible bloating, digestive issues. They will also give you core exercises and stretching exercises to bring the cut muscles back together. The earlier you can start this the more likely you will be able to knit the lower abdominal muscles back together. Unfortunately, I'm learning this 1 year 2 months later, so I can hope to bring them closer, but don't know that I can knit them back together. I hope this helps.

I to, have had a portion of my colon removed to get the colon cancer out. I am experiencing the exact same thing. My stomach sticks out and I hate it and am embarrassed to remove my t-shirt at the pool. I once had a 6 pack and now I look DISGUSTING. What can I do? The Dr. says I also have a Ventral Hernia and must watch what I do physically. I was also quite fit before. What now?

I don`t know if you are still active on this board but I will say what I have found which does help: L-Glutamine, Marshmallow Tea and Slippery Elm. It definitely helps with swelling. I`ve accepted that the distension is for life and that makes moving forward is bit easier.

Oh, your story makes me feel so sorry for you. Does it help to know you’re not alone

I had that surgery too and same, but far better than the outcome had I not had it!

I have a cholostemy and my stomach has gone way bigger(it looks like I'm pregnant and I am not..It is very embarrassing. What can be done?? Help.

I have had the same problem. Everything u have mentioned. It is almost 3 years since my surgery. I think this i bowl that is sticking out. It’s in a different place now and makes wearing jeans odd. I call it my poop pouch! Also looking to see if this is normal and anything I can do. Happy to have the bag off for sure! Just seeing if this is just how it is now.