Right hemicolectomy - post-surgery experience

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I had a right hemicolectomy in April using the Da Vinci robot to remove a 200mm (8-inch) long tumour. It was so large it had almost blocked the part of the colon close to the appendix. I found these Macmillan forums invaluable in providing me with additional information that was not covered in the NHS leaflets, and reading the posts on the forums put my anxious mind at rest before what I felt was a daunting operation. I wanted to share my experiences post-surgery and reassure those who are worried about what happens afterwards. 

I was in the hospital for four nights. The day after my operation, I ate only the pureed meals from the menu, beginning with the evening meal. I was irrationally scared of causing any damage or rupture to the internal stitches and staples, and wanted my recovery to be as problem-free as possible. I continued to eat pureed soups and soft scrambled eggs for the next two weeks at home, then I progressed to other soft foods like mashed potatoes, soft vegetables, pasta, and minced beef.  

I followed the post-operation instructions exactly, taking Laxido laxative daily, paracetamol when I felt pain from the abdominal scarring (all below the belly button and unobtrusive). I also took the recommended blood thinner injections and wore compression socks for 30 days. 

Internally, I've had no problems at all. Sometimes I get a little constipation if I don't drink enough water. I have not had any bleeding, pain or discomfort - apart from slight pulling from the scar tissue as my muscles knitted back together, which stopped hurting after about four weeks. Now, only two months after the operation, I consider myself 'back to normal'. Everything is working normally, with no problems, and my digestive system feels like it used to before the tumour started to grow.  

So if anyone has fear and anxiety about the surgery, like I did, I hope this post offers a little reassurance.

  • Hi LeeB welcome to the forum and thank you for sharing, for the benefit of others, your positive story. I think we all are grateful In one way and another for these forums, speaking with others in the same boat, sharing tips and ideas and like you are doing sharing  peer feedback which can never be underestimated. Best wishes to you for continued good health, happiness and much joy. Gail 

  • Thank you, Gail, for your kind words. Often, people visit forums to ask questions about problems they are experiencing or to express their complaints. I wanted to share my positive experience to reassure anyone anxious about a similar procedure. I worried whether my life would be different after the surgery and how I would cope. 
    It turns out that I no longer have any issues to worry about, and I can continue with my normal life. I hope the message helps someone. 

  • Sorry pressed send! Im new to this forum malarkey! Thank you for sharing your experience.  My husband is facing this surgery soon and it is good to know some people find it straightforward. I'm not sure of your story to this point but I hope the rest of it is equally manageable.  Good luck. 

  • Thank you for your response. My story was simple. I had diarrhoea for 18 months. No blood, no pain, no weight loss or discomfort, I had none of the symptoms to alert me that anything was wrong. I finally went to the doctor when I was excreting yellow water (bile). I supplied four stool samples, and the FIT test showed I had blood in the stool. 
    The colonoscopy showed that the tumour was so large that it almost entirely blocked the colon, and the camera could go no further into the ileum. There was a risk of blockage, which would have led to an emergency. 
    It was 2 months from my initial doctor's visit to the operation. The NHS's response time was fabulous, and I'm grateful that they reacted so quickly that I currently have no problems. 

  • I'm glad to hear you are doing well. My husband has been diagnosed via the screening programme and had no symptoms at all. They have been very quick but it has been alot to cope with in a short space of time. His surgery is due at the end of the month. 

  • I wish your husband well. I hope that my experience has given him hope that he, too, will come out the other side with no issues and can move on with his life. Thanks for responding and potentially helping others in the same situation.