Possible complications after bowel surgery include: an infection following surgery difficulty eating or drinking constipation, diarrhoea and other bowel problems pain, swelling or unexpected leakage from your wound or stoma leaking faeces In addition, living with a stoma can be challenging and if you have one, you may need extra support. In some cases, bowel cancer may recur in the bowel or elsewhere in the body. Secondary cancer may develop in the liver, lungs or elsewhere.