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How long will my post operation gurgles last? :-)

Mary.
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My operation Resection retroperitoneal sarcoma left nephrectomy left hemicolectomy splenectomy Distal pancreatectomy was November last year. We put my life in the hands of the top surgeons and I am doing well, so far, fingers crossed :-)

Sometimes, not all the time, there is a gurgling sound, along my front, left side and back where my kidney used to be. I was told by a consultant in our local hospital, as an explanation, it is as if my plumbing has been replumbed, he said with a smile. That's fine. I just wondered if you knew how long that might go on for? also something sort of moving around.

I hope this doesn't sound too daft!

  • Hello Mary and thanks for your post,

    I can understand that it is a long time since you have had the surgery and I can imagine you want these gurgling sounds to settle down. I am afraid I can't give you a time line as to when these will settle down but it might be interesting hearing from other members of the forum on their experiences with a gurgling stomach.

    You have posted in 'ask the nurses' but if you post on a different thread or start your own you may find that you get more responses from others who have had similar surgery.

    As long as you are having a regular bowel movement and you are eating well that is the most important thing.

    You could try and experiment with eating smaller more frequent meals to see if this has an effect. Trying to keep a diary to see if there are any triggers that make the gurgling worse or better may also help.

    I have come across this forum which is part of Bowel Cancer UK. Members of the forum are talking about tips to help with a rumbling tummy.

    Hopefully as time goes on these will settle down or you will find what foods  work for you.

    If you would like to ring and chat through any of this with one of the helpline nurses then you are welcome to give us a call.  The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.

    All the best,

    Catherine

  • Offline in reply to CRUK Nurse Catherine

    Thank you.

    It is not a rumbling tummy though.

  • in reply to Mary.

    Hello Mary and thanks for getting back in touch

    Sorry for the misunderstanding.

    I'm afraid we can't say what this rumbling or moving sensation may be caused by. The surgeon may be right in saying the body is just readjusting itself to what it has been through these past months since the surgery. 

    If you remain concerned I suggest speaking with your doctor so they can reassess you. 

    Please get back to us if you need any more information or support.  You may find it helpful to talk things through with one of the nurses on our helpline.  The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.

    Best wishes

    Naomi

  • Offline in reply to Mary.

    Hi Mary,

    I'm sorry to hear that this is one of the legacies of your surgery. I found this information from Cancer Research. I'm pretty sure that you'll know this already, but here it is, just in case. 

    The gurgling sensation you’re experiencing on your left side could be related to the changes in your abdominal and gastrointestinal anatomy following these extensive procedures.

    Post-operative gurgling or bowel sounds are not uncommon and can be due to several factors, including:

    1. Changes in Bowel Function: After such extensive surgery, your intestines might take some time to adjust, leading to increased bowel sounds or gurgling
    2. Gas Movement: The resection of parts of your digestive system can lead to changes in how gas moves through your intestines.
    3. Healing Process: As your body heals, you might experience various sensations, including gurgling, as tissues and organs settle into their new positions.
    I may be wrong, but there doesn't seem to be a straightforward answer to this, as it sounds as if a cessation depends on all the individual factors we discussed prior to your surgery. Again, your care team, are the best people to be able to give you average figures for this.
    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx
     
  • Offline in reply to CRUK Nurse Naomi

    Thank you.

    I;ll be seeing a GP soonish.

  • Offline in reply to Jolamine

    Thank you.

    I don't have a care team as such but there is the consultant, who I will be seeing again in December, and the sarcoma specialist nurse, who is on holiday at present, and I shall be seeing a GP this month.

    I expect it is to do with the healing. Sometimes there are gurgles waiting to go to sleep at night :-)

  • Offline in reply to Mary.

    Hi Mary,

    Mention it to your GP and to your sarcoma specialist nurse when you get the chance. I expect that you don't want to wait until you see your consultant in December, before you get an answer.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

  • Offline in reply to Jolamine

    Thank you. I'll put it on the list for the GP. :-)

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