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Colon Surgery
Colon surgery is generally performed for divertulosis
or cancer. This is considered major surgery, and is done at Thee
Rivers Community Hospital. Your surgeon may request you have a clean
bowel before surgery so you may need a prep and a clear liquid diet
before admission. He may also request an injection the night before
surgery to prevent blood clots.
What To Expect
You will be in the hospital from two to
seven days – maybe longer. Various tubes and IVs will be used to
help you during recovery. Leg squeezers may be used to help prevent
blood clots. It generally takes two to three days for your gastro
intestinal tract to regain function. Walking is important too, so
be prepared to get up and move around.
Diet
Once home, resume your regular diet but
eat smaller meals. It is helpful if you drink plenty of water and
other liquids. To ensure regularity, you may need to take Metamucil
(one tablespoon in a large glass of water once or twice daily).
Activity
You should get back to regular home activity
as quickly as possible. Walking helps prevent blood clots, promotes
return to normal bowel function and will make for a faster overall
recovery. However, most patients do not return to work for up to
four weeks following surgery. It is best to ask your doctor before
returning to work.
Incision
Your doctor will instruct you when the dressing
should be removed. Do not soak in a tub, hot tub or swimming pool.
Keep your incision covered with dry gauze if it rubs on your clothing.
Contact our office if your incision becomes intensely reddened,
leaks fluid, or has puss or foul smelling discharge. You may experience
some temperature elevation due to the incision. But if you have
a fever of 102 degrees Fahrenheit or greater, call your doctor immediately.
Pain
You may be given a prescription for narcotic
pain medication. Use Extra Strength Tylenol or Ibuprofen for milder
pain and your prescription for more significant pain. These medications
cause constipation, which is bad for your colon. So remember the
Metamucil and liquids. Do not drink alcohol or drive while taking
narcotic pain relievers.
Appointment
We want to see you one to two weeks after
your release. Simply call to make an appointment.
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