Colon Resection

[barpete]

Hi: I'm brand new to this site. I just had a colon resection on December 16th due to an acute diverticulitis attack. I'm home recovering, but I'm afraid to eat. I'm eating bland type foods - cottage cheese, milk shakes, yogurt. I was told not to eat high fiber foods, but that I could start slowly adding them to my diet. I'm confused and still scared.

What have you been eating since surgery?

barpete

[Anatta]

My resection was Dec 5th. This has been the million dollar question -- what to eat? My surgeon said I could eat whatever I wanted - as tolerated. I've discovered that the "as tolerated" is trial and error. So far, I'm eating whole wheat breads and pastas, as well as some fruit (blueberries, bananas). I still only eat very cooked vegetables. What has given me trouble so far has been red beans and rice (two times now) and a salad. My stomach then gets gassy and bloated and I have shooting pains. At first I thought something was wrong but then realized it really has to do with what I eat. I am on another bowel disorder message board and found that the others have the same problems about food. I say try one little thing at a time and see how you fare....

[Kiki12]

We had surgery on the same day. How are you doing? I am terribly bloated and have wierd pains sometimes. I was wondering if you are totally healed?

[Anatta]

Overall, I am doing well. I still had some strange attacks monthly for five months, but those have mostly subsided. I did, however, have one a few weeks ago again. Here is what the 'attack' entails: I'll get somewhat constipated first, followed by bloat, tenderness and gas. I will also have some shooting pains, but they don't stay. I'll hear lots of gurgling and noise, and it's all on my right side (I had a right-sided resection). So I change my diet again (which is already pretty decent) to more fiber and no carbonated beverages. My biggest downfall is diet coke. Eventually it goes away. I am pretty convinced that it still boils down to what I eat. I stay away from fat (no dairy, no red meat) and try to eat enough fruit and vegetables. I find that if I eat a pear every day, it helps (I don't like apples and pears work just as well). But the most important thing for me is eliminating carbonated beverages and drinking more water. I just always seem to forget that!!