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I had a small bowel resection performed last Tuesday, June 2.  Everything went great, and I was discharged on Saturday.  My pain is not bad, but I am experiencing diarrhea 3-5 times a day and have lost weight (I barely weighed 105 pounds before the surgery).  My doctor thinks that now that my diet has changed to soft foods it will improve.  I am wondering if others have experienced same symptoms and how long it took for their bowels to return to "normal." They may have to put me on Immodium or Lomotil if things don't improve in the next day or so.  Thanks for all advice!

 Reply posted for Lynnek.

hi

I had 4 resections done 7 weeks ago and have been on opioids like fentanyl patch and hydromorphone tablets. they have greatly helped my pain and reduced the frequent stomach distress i have experienced. My BMs are now only 3 per day which I attribute to the opioids (good thing!). My pain is also from severe OA so it is not only the post surgery pain for why I am on these pain meds.

 Reply posted for LSF.

LSF, how often do you take the hydrocodeine?  It helps calm my gut too. 

 Reply posted for msshayne.

I had a right hemicolectomy (10% small intestine, 25% colon removed) in March 2009.  Mine was due to a perforation after a colonoscopy to confirm CD.  It took me about two months for things to get back to normal.  I had to go to the bathroom I bet 10-15 times a day at first and then every day got a little better and a little better.  My surgeon suggested I take a fiber supplement which did improve things....but slowly.  Now the only change from prior to surgery is I can't eat a big breakfast like I could before, but that's it!  I can eat whatever I want now with no problems or issues.  GOOD LUCK! 

 Reply posted for msshayne.

Hello,

I've had approx. 8 ft. of small bowel removed some 30 years ago.  It will take probably 2 months to settle your bowel down.  If you notice, every time you eat, you have to go.  That's because everytime they even touch your bowel, it takes a long time to get it calmed down.  You will also need to possibly take an antibiotic like Doxycyline or maybe even Xifaxin 200mg., 2 tabs, twice a day.  Ask your Dr. on that.  I remember crying to my Dr. that I couldn't take it and he just smiled and said "Yes, you can".  It is very difficult, but you do what you have to do I guess!  I'm thinking of you!   Been there, done that.  Good Luck!

Also, I absolutely have to take Hydrocodone 7.5/750mg, it's the only thing that settles my gut down on some days. 

 Reply posted for hollywrites.

I just had small bowel resection in December 2006. Previously I had IPAA for colitis in 1996. I have had lots of trouble keeping some bulk to stools so that I can absorb food. For me metamucil thickens it up enough to slow it down. I take it 3 times a day and lots of immodium.

I am still working on how to absorb more from food I eat. Dr thinks I may have ciliac sprue. I have been very anemic since I had the 1 foot of small intestine removed for bowel obstruction......

 Reply posted for hollywrites.

Hi Holly,

Thanks so much for your post.  Over the past day or so, things have seemed to slow down with diarrhea, and I am so happy.  I will definitely keep in mind what you said regarding adding that supplement if needed.

Good luck to you and thanks again!

 Reply posted for msshayne.

Hi there!

Many years ago, my Crohn's appeared in my ileum which was removed entirely (about a foot of intestine). At the time, my gastroenterologist assured me that my days of diarrahea and discomfort were over. Sadly, he was wrong.

The fact is that your ileum absorbs bile salts and without it, it's like running laundry detergent through your tract leaving it constantly irritated. Also, the additional bile salts will also contribute to diarrhea.

I'm not saying you have no hope as your circumstances might be very different. However, if they are not, this may provide you with an explanation. I've had Crohn's (it came back at the site of the resection) for 22 years now and I'm still amazed at how little doctors know about the results of surgeries.

If you heal and you don't suffer with anymore diarrhea, I will be so very excited and happy for you and I hope with all hope, that's the case. If not, though, I hope this reply might give you an answer.

Binding agents do work well in moderation in my case, like Cholestyramine and other powders like it that you can mix in juice. In fact, it made me constipated until I found the right amount for me. It also reduces cholesterol and has very few side effects outside of those two results.

I hope that helps! Best wishes and hugs to you!

Holly