I need to ask anyone about sigmoid colon removal operation. My husband has recently been diagnosed with stage 2 sigmoid cancer. He has seen various nurses and a doctor for pre op assessment. As part of that we saw the anaesthetist and he has put the fear of God into us. He said your abdomen will be filled wirh gas and all your organs will be pushed under your diaphragm. My husband is a very heavy smoker and has COPD. He also told him, even if he stopped smoking now, his lungs may not take the pressure. Also with the air inflation he will be in agony and unable to pass wind and they don't want to give morphine as this will detract from his recovery. Has anyone of an older age group 70+ had this done and suffered this fate. Help needed as operation is not our number one after that info. The operation could still go ahead apparently!