Right Hemicolectomy

Hi and a warm welcome to the online community and I'm very sorry that you've had to join us but pleased that you felt that you could reach out to us for some advice.

It's not a long time since your surgery and it does take time for your body to recover and we all take a different length of time to get over it.

To answer your last question first "should I actually be resting more" the short answer is YES, if you need to have a rest or a short sleep do it whenever you can.

Going back to work and especially starting a new job is going to be very difficult for you and you will find that you will get tired very easily during the day and it may be difficult to explain the situation to your new employer but if you can have a word with someone and keep them in the picture.

Your question on niggly pain this is quite normal and the following might help you understand it a little better

You may feel some pain and ‘twinges’ around your wound for several months. This is normal as it takes a while for full healing to take place. Taking a mild painkiller regularly will help you feel better and aid your recovery. If the pain does not seem to improve or you are worried, contact your GP or colorectal nurse. The length of time between your return to work following this type of surgery will depend upon the type of work you do. Ask your GP or surgeon for advice. 

Basically what is happening it that during your operation the surgeon had to remove a section of your bowel which was diseased plus a section either side, then joining the two sections together again, a lot of poking, prodding, pulling and stretching of your bowel and putting you back together again and the twitches or pain you are experiencing may just be your insides settling down and whilst it is uncomfortable it usually there is nothing to worry about but when you see the consultant do mention it but I think when he examines you he'll find nothing wrong and it's down to you having a lapse of memory and doing too much we all forget we bend,we stretch we lift something we shouldn't and our bodies give us a gentle reminder that we should still be careful.

The bulge could be, and I'm not saying it is as I'm not a doctor, could be a slight hernia as your abdomen has been weakened by the operation and part of your bowel is poking through, if it is, it is nothing to worry about but you may have to wear some support around the abdomen to hold it in, but again do mention it to your consultant. If it is a hernia and your need some support garments let me know and I'll let you have a list of suppliers and types available (there is a good range available for ladies and you only might need some support underwear rather than wrap round belt)

For the first 6 weeks or so do not lift anything heavy such as shopping or wet washing, or do anything strenuous like digging the garden or mowing the lawn. You should not drive until you can safely do an emergency stop. You may wish to consult your GP before driving again. It is also advisable to check your car insurance policy, as there may be a clause in it about driving after operations. 

If you need to ask any more questions feel free to come on here the Bowel (colon and rectal) cancer forum group we have a lot of experience and everyone will share with you and please remember that every question is important and no one will ever think that it's stupid one, if you have one rattling around in your head ask it here someone will give you an answer and you have one less thing to worry about.

Let us know how you get on and keep in touch.

Good luck with the new job and hopefully you'll get time to rest.

Best wishes

Ian

Hi and a warm welcome to the board from me. 

Interesting bulge? Yes I think a lot of tummies are a bit lumpy bumpy after this sort of surgery and I think my days of appearing on the cover of Sports Illustrated are definitely past! 

I had a low anterior resection with stoma and found I got a low aching pain at the bottom of my spine after walking or doing the supermarket and it was quite painful getting into the car. The pain used to wear off but I mentioned it to the stoma nurse and she confirmed that it was just because I was starting to do a bit more while things were still healing. Everyone heals differently and you sound to be doing really well but it has been a big op so just listen to your body and maybe have a day of doing a bit followed by a slightly easier day?

Good luck with the new job and hope your follow up appointment goes well

Take care

Karen x

Hi ,

I had a laparoscopic sigmoidectomy last year, and it did take quite a while for all the pains and niggles to settle down. That being said, I was back in the office full-time 4 weeks after surgery (still had to take it slow), and pretty much back to normal by 12 weeks post-surgery (just in time for the last surgery which was stoma reversal!)

Do mention it to the consultant, and keep an eye on whether it is getting better or not.

All the best, and let us know how you get on.

Yolande

@Bodach 

Hi Ian,

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply to my post.  I took your advice and had a little word with a HR lady and the health and safety officer, didn't go into massive detail, it kind of puts people into shock! But the day went well.

The doctors didn't explain too much about the after effects of the operation and I seem to be comparing it to the appendectomy which i know are totally different it terms of recovery but I've not had anything else to compare it to and I don't know anyone who's experiences are similar.  

If I do have a hernia is it something I live with now or does it go away?

I am definitely resting this evening I do think as the week goes on I will get very tired

Again thank you for replying

George xx

Hi Karen, 

Thank you for replying.  The bulge is interesting, my tummy above my bellybutton is bigger than under so I totally think I could get away with being on the cover!  

Reading this has put my mind at rest a little and even making me see I still need to be taking it easy and reminding that it has been rather major I think I forget sometimes.

Thanks Karen

George xx

Hi Yolande,

You did fantastic at going back to work at 4 weeks! 

Did the niggles occur even when sitting lying down, doesn't last long enough to wince a little and then its gone.

I am at 8 weeks and in someways feel like I've backwards in terms of pain, having said that however, the replies to my original post have helped put my my mind at ease a little.

I will update after Friday.  My consultant is going have ALOT of questions from me!

George xx

Hi George

It sounds as if the new job has started off well, its often best to come clean right from the start and yes explaining about our operations and side effects does tend to put people off and cringe.

Even the same operation can differ between people and it's difficult to try and compare one procedure to another.

It's a strange thing that in different hospitals they all have their own way of communicating things to the patients some come away with loads of information but unfortunately some come away with very little but the good news that's where this group excells individually we all know something together we are an encyclopedia of information and there is always someone about who will say I know about that and will chip in with an answer.

I hope I didn't throw something into the conversation talking about a hernia, some people get them I had mine for 6 years, it didn't cause me any problems it was just unsightly carrying a rugby ball on my belly and last year I had a twisted bowel that needed attention which resulted in having a new stoma and the surgeon said I might as well repair the hernia whilst I've got you open then cheered me by saying I'm not guaranteeing you'll get another 6 years out of it  he was so right within 6 months it started to form again but the surgeons have told me let's leave it until the next time we got you on the table!

My advice is keep an eye on it , try and keep the weight under control, take care when bending lifting or anything strenuous and if you need to wear support underwear wear them and when you cough or sneeze hold your tummy in with your hand.

It's  a good move to rest after work don't worry if you fall asleep in your chair it's very natural.

Feel free to come on in at anytime and have a chat and ask your questions.

Regards

Ian

Hi Ian, 

Absolutely not, a hernia wasn't even something that had crossed my mind, but I have been saying for the last 8 weeks even if they can fix the bulge I'd just live with it unless it was an emergency.  Whilst no operation is easy, I've only had the 2 operations in my life one minor one major, the minor one as caused nerve damage in my hand from the anaesthetic being administered wrong and the second morphine not agreeing with me.  Its more ill live it if its only that.  I've bought myself a new wardrobe to help disguise the bump (which is probably no-where near as back as what I can see! ) Including support underwear! 

I will update after my consultant appointment

Thanks 

George x

Hi George,

I can't quite remember the details, but I think for the most part by four weeks post-op I just felt it if I overdid it. Hope the consultant can provide some answers tomorrow.

All the best,

Yolande

Post-op check up went well on Friday. Consultant wasn't concerned about the pain and thinks its still surgery pain.  She said another 6 months and things will be 70% fused! which Im very shocked about! So still have to take it easy.  The bump she said should even itself out so nothing obscure there!

In the part bowel and bits they took out they found no further tumours :) 

George xx