u/Acrobatic_Arachnid70

I’m now at 9-10 weeks post surgery and am having sensations in LLQ. Incisions have well healed up many weeks ago, but I feel a kind of constant “pulling” or, less often, some minor twinges in this area. I would not characterize any of this as pain, but it is a constant reminder of my body having been violated in a major way in this area, LOL!

Web inquiries have led me to believe that after the two month mark, the internal healing of the anastomosis enters a kind of new phase where Type III collagens start getting replaced with Type I, and the tissue “remodeling” continues for many more months, conceivably up to a year. Those inquiries suggest what I am feeling is normal at this stage, but it would be reassuring to hear from anyone else who has experienced this and ultimately recovered.

I tend to be hyper-aware and worried about anything that can go wrong, so there’s that. On a very positive note, my digestion is absolutely fine and I’ve been able to reintroduce fiber and eat anything without any bowel problems, so I guess everything is okay. But still …

I developed high sensitivity/tenderness in left testicle during recovery. No sharp pains, swelling, redness or heat in the area associated with major concerns. It has diminished somewhat to not being so sensitive but now presents as a dulll ache. I can walk around find without impairment but am very protective and careful about sitting down/moving in chair.

I’ve read that this is a possibility from the surgery. Could be caused via body manipulation during surgery. Could be various nerves that have been pulled and continue to get pulled during internal tissue recovery. Can be referred pain. Can also be fluid build up in body … I don’t have visible edema in my feet or ankles but toes often feel puffy.

Just curious if anyone else had experienced this. I’m seeing PCP today, but am skeptical about their level of understanding of something like this.

68 yo male. Partial, laparoscopic sigmoid colectomy.

Just read through numerous surgery related posts here. By most important measures, my surgery was a success. Regular, soft bowel movements. Most major pains resolved within first two weeks. No digestion issues with eating anything so far, although I only recently have started moving from a low residue diet to add some new foods.

I’m worried though. I had 7 day emergency hospital stay some 6 weeks before surgery for perforated diverticulitis. I feel as though the heavy IV doses and two week course of antibiotics afterwards somehow broke my brain. Major depression. I recovered well enough, physically, to have the surgery.

Post-surgery hospital recovery was painful and I was extremely anxious about every little thing that seemed could go wrong. Physically, I sense that abdominal healing has been going well. Two things of concern:

(1) I’ve been trying to gain back lost weight. Counting calories. Eating lots of protein and calories. But the thought of eating is just the last thing I want to do. Once I start eating, I can get it down, but it has been a daily challenge. It just feels unpleasant and my taste buds seem to have changed.

(2) Bigger concern. I feel physically weak and often am shaky with some light tremors in my hands. But I am able to walk a couple of miles every few days, so it’s not like I have zero strength to do so. I’m also feeling strange fatigue like needing to nap. I get about 10 hours of sleep nightly but wake up every 2-3 hours. When I awaken, I feel crappy in the head with that weird tiredness.

From others’ stories of recovery, I totally understand that mileage varies. Some Web queries I’ve made suggest that recovery can take many months … even up to 12 months for complete “remodeling” of the gut tissues. And yeah, I’m older. I just want to see that what I’m experiencing is within the realm of possibilities for this surgery.

Thanks for any insight and encouragement.