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

I have had four surgeries in the last 5 years. I was misdiagnoised whith Chrons disease and put on heavy dosage of Steroids for 4 months. I than had my first surgery to remove a restriction. After being opened up the surgeon found cancer. They removed 12 inches of small bowel and 12 inches of my colon. Six days after suregery I started leaking and rushed into surgery and opened back up. I developed two fistulas and had to be left open to heal from the inside out. Over the next 5 months my intestines developed hernias where the two fistulas were located. My incision would not close off. Another surgeon than went in and removed 14 inches to repair the hernias and fistulas. After one month I had developed infection due to being alergic to the mesh. They had to open me back up and remove what mesh that was not embedded. I again had to be left open to heal from inside out. I have no belly button and have a thick six inch across and 6 inch vertical scar. I have constant diarreah and all food bloat my stomach. I have the feeling that I need to throw up. My body looks terrible but worst is how this affects me physically. I have become a recluse and know it is hard for people to be around me because I feel so bad.  I have been to many different doctors with no progress. If anyone knows anything that would help please let me know. 

Me too...surgery on July 1....to put me back together after 1/3 of my colon was removed the prior January..
I had an ostomy (c**p) bag for a year and a half....
.......the more crunches I do..the farther it distends out.......Nov, 21 now..... think I'll stop doing crunches.....
I'm not miserable though....I was gonna die if they hadn't operated on me...I'm ALIVE!!!!!.. got divorced and dating 2 gorgeous women
who think I'm Superman for having survived

I had my first surgery almost 5 years ago. I have had what seems as a 5 year stomach virus. First misdiagnosis with Chron's. Had a bad gallbladder and had it removed also. After 4 months sent to another doctor who said I had a blockage. The surgery turned up cancer. Nine days after that surgery my tissue pulled apart due to all the steroids used to treat the Chrons. Developed fistulas, hernias and a open wound the size of a soccer ball. I am thankful that I am no longer refinded to a bed or on a machine. I stayed on the machine for 13 months. I have no belly button, thick hard scar on my belly and a extra tire of blubber around my mid section. It is larger than my hips. Everything I eat blows me up, the discomfort has taken over my life. Dirreah everyday. If I eat, 10 upwards everyday. This started when I was 50. I don't like being around people, and I know I am no fun to be around. My world has changed. I can live with the way I look, but wished I felt better. If anyone has a answer I would really enjoy hearing it.

    

I have the same thing! I had 12 in. taken from my small intestines and now my stomach is hard and looks like I'm pregnant. I swear it grows through out the day! I had my surgery 2 days before Thanksgiving, November 19, 2013. I am so mad, but waiting for my insurance to kick in so I can see a doctor. I've lost weight but my stomach hasn't and I look ridiculous! Did you see a Dr. and what did he say? If you can email me and let me know what your doctor said. Thank you!

develop your side and lower obliques..middle obliques will come back..had liver surgery.cut from sternum to past belly button..think how you want to look mind controls the body..believe..im an xample

I know what you are goping through.I just had 18 inches taken out and I feel like im pregnant.I feel awful looking.And from under the breast my stomach starts sticking out so bad.I didn't have a stomach before I had this done.I pray mine goes back to normal.I cannot imagine looking like this forever.

Had the same surgery in 2008 and have noticed the same thing. I returned to chair situps, but sometimes if I really strain my abdominal area, my bowels cramp up for a few seconds. Ever had that happen?

So sorry you're having trouble. I got some relief from a physical therapist who did visceral manipulation, elector-something and the Graston technique on my scar. I no longer get blockages and the scar tissue is much more pliable. Might try it.

I agree. I wish I had never had this surgery I only weigh 85 pounds but look 9 months pregnant. And it's not even! It's been 3 months. Summer is here and I can't wear anything!

Ugh, I have the same pooch! I had 12 inches of my colon removed last year (it's been 13 months), and have a 9-inch scar that runs vertically. Towards the bottom right of the incision (near the bellybutton), I have a separate pooch. And as you mentioned, if I eat anything my entire abdomen distends. By the end of the day, I look like I'm 6 months pregnant. Not only is it not attractive, it's not comfortable. I weigh less than I did a year ago, but my shape does not reflect that despite my regular exercise to hopefully correct the problem. Keep hoping that this, too, shall pass, but it's not sounding very likely reading everyone's posts!

Hello there, my oldest son just had colon surgery and I just want to know when the bag is removed dose it hurt much please tell me cause I can't stand seeing my son in so much pain, and when they removed it how dose it feel, will he be ok. please you can write me. please write me, I am going crazy not knowing how much pain he is in,

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I have found that raw probiotics have really helped the way I feel. Garden of Life for colon care. You can find it in a health food store, I take one every day and am much better. I don't look better...but I feel better!

I too had a resection after bowel surgery add to that a hernia which I was told is common with this type of surgery-it was one year ago
and all of the effects you describe fit mine to a "T". I also was told nothing else to be done and I also feel uncomfortable bloated
and ready to wear "stretch" pants.

I am 39 years old and had colon resection after a car accident in which the seatbelt crushed my colon. I originally had a colostomy and had it reversed 8 months later. I recently had a consult with a plastic surgeon to have the butt cheek scar revised. FYI insurance will cover it. You just have to have issues with the scar like itching, frequent rashes, etc. Anyway, I had to have a ct scan to make sure there are no hernia's, etc before. Turns out I have an eventration. Almost like a hernia, but instead of pushing through the bowl/colon is pushing against the abdominal wall. Turns out I have almost no abdominal wall muscles remaining 26 years after surgery. I went for a consult with a general surgeon who said no open surgery should be done from here on out unless necessary because lacerating the bowel is a big risk along with the amount of time alone that it would take to clean through the adhesions. Plastic repair can still be done without opening the abdomen. I encourage you if you are closer to your original surgery date to get plastic surgery (if that's what you want) before you get this far out. Good luck!

I am so sorry..... how are you now??