Diverticulitis Sigmoid resection laparoscopic/open with hand assist

Hi Cheryl,

A resection and gall bladder removal....sorry to hear! All this will give a multitude of symptoms, pain in various areas. Happy to hear that surgery went well and that you were discharged quickly.

I hope that your feeling a little better, and that you've had a bowel movement. Maybe Milk of Mag will help things along, or what ever your surgeon has suggested. Be careful with food, having the gallbladder removed may ask of you to be on a diet for several months. Be mindful of any pain during your BM, or anything serious.

Again, I hope that you feel better. Take your recovery in strides, day by day. Rest inbetween walks, gaining stamina and helping with your bm's and gas.

Thanks for the suggestions! I spoke with my surgeons office this morning and I am able to take MOM and a stool softener. I as yet have not had a BM. I'm drinking 12oz glasses of water through out the day. That is difficult for me since I have never been much of a water drinker. But I realize the importance, so I will drink as much as needed. I've been eating small meals versus three large/regular meals. I'm going to increase the fiber after I have a BM.
I was stunned to have all if this happen at once. The diverticulitis was noted on a colonoscopy report from four years ago from a different gastroenterology group. My current surgeon requested the results be faxed to his office. That was the first I had ever heard of it. The gallbladder issue was discovered during the CT scan with contrast for the rectovaginal fistula. Shocked was a word that couldn't describe how I felt!
Anyway, I just get concerned as to, am I doing enough each day, am I not doing enough? When will my BM pattern be somewhat normal? Can I push at all with a BM? Will I pass any blood with my first BM?
Lol...not too much huh?
Cheryl

Hope that things are better since yesterday. I am glad to hear bowel sounds. That is an improvement. Not sure why your only taking mom only once a day and at night too. Continue walking, and call surgeon to inquire doses. I believe it should be increased. Also ask for a home health nurse to come monitor you, checking where in the bowels there are or aren't sounds. I would also ask if you should be on a liquid diet until intestines move.

Cheryl,

Happy to hear your bowels are slowly moving. Advocating for yourself isn't always easy at times. You are aware of the why's and how's, but when you in the sick faze, you doubt and second guess everything. That is where a support group like this puts your doubt's back into perspective. Walking outside, is difficult to manage alone. Know where you are going and make a plan in case you need to stop and rest. My last surgery 2 years ago, I had my gallbladder removed. It was an open procedure. I came home the next day, but was starting to have difficulty urinating. The following day, my surgeon called to check in, and I mentioned it. He prescribed antibiotics to walgreens. Being alone, and stubborn, I thought I could walk the 3/4 mile walk each way. When I reached the end of my block....I couldn't walk any further, and now how would I get back? I eventually made it home, and my neighbor then drove me....telling me my doctor should prescribe something for my stubborn mind too! lol.

Don't know how old you are, or if you had issues with your bm's before surgery, but sounds like you needed the resection and I'm glad you had it. I had 7 diverticulitis infections before surgery. Ridiculous. But being young, and I had hundreds of diverticula throughout my entire colon, doctors didn't know what to say. I fought to have my entire colon removed. I had multiple life threatening complications post-op. Once recovered, my gut never felt better. I do have an ostomy, might get reattached.

Take everything in strides during this time. Eating, bm's, walking, housework, all takes time. This will soon be a thing of the past.

Take care and continue MOM if needed and for certain, the stool softener. My friends mom had a resection 4 years ago and still takes one daily. She's 70 though, the age could be a factor.

Hi,
I have a question regarding BM's. I am having loose skinny BM's. Is this normal? This happens one to three times a day! I take a stool softener everyday. I eat small amounts. I'm thinking of cutting back on fiber for a bit to see if this becomes more firm!
Help! I'm concerned and so confused!
Also my stomach muscles are so darn sore! More than before. Although the other day I ran the vac! Could I have hurt myself?

Cheryl

Wow, thank you! It seems that this is a long recovery period! I just imagined healing much faster, but I am finding that I seriously need to become more patient! Not one of my virtues!!
My mnd is at ease regarding the stool consistancy! That really had me worried. It's like learning my body all over again.
Thanks Windy City!

Cheryl

Almost 5 weeks post op now. My stomach muscles, at least I think it's that are so sore. I go to my surgeon on the 9th of June. I'm hoping he will put my mind at ease. Some days I feel wonderful, other days I feel awful! It's hard to get up from a sitting position. Sometimes when I sit down, it causes pain in my bottom, leading up inside. When I stand it sometimes feels like everything is moving downwards in my stomach. I have to just stand there for a few minutes until that feeling goes away.
Sorry for complaining, but this is the most depressing recovery I have ever been through.

Cheryl