Coping With Colon Resection

After three hospital stays within five months for diverticulosis, I decided to have the colon section. I’m 70 years old, and not exactly in great shape. I had a colon resection done on June 19th, and the surgery went exceptionally well. I was operated on laparoscopically at the University of Wisconsin hospital by Dr. Kennedy who is also certified at Mayo’s. I had one 2 inch incision, and three 1/2 inch incisions for the camera. Approx. 14 inches of my colon was removed. It all went very well, and and I was sent home on the morning of the 5th day. The doctor that did my surgery was a specialist and he said over 90% of his surgeries are done laparoscopically. I did come out of the hospital with a upper respiratory infection that was a pain, but my colon (read bowel movements) were very normal.

Ther are some possible dangers such as leakage and infection. Infection seems to be rather common when I hear about other peoples experiences, and the infections can be serious. As far a leakage is concerned, you have a 99% chance that it won’t occur. If it does they go in and put in a few stiches.

My only restriction after the first two weeks was not to lift over 20 lbs for another month.

INTERESTING NOTE - My surgeon said that of all the colon surgeons he knows, none of them think eating nuts or popcorn etc. has any negative affect on the colon. He said that such thinking was “old school”, and I could eat whatever I wanted.