Preparing for a colorectal surgery
Once you are scheduled for a colorectal surgery, your doctor will give you detailed instructions on how to prepare for your procedure. Depending on your age and other comorbid diseases, your doctor may order tests such as a chest X-ray, electrocardiogram, lung function tests, and blood tests to check your general health status.
The day before your surgery, your doctor will ask you to have a light breakfast and to consume only liquids for the remainder of the day. You will also be advised to take laxatives to clear the contents of your bowel.
On the day of the procedure, you will be advised not to eat or drink anything. Your doctor may instruct you to take some prescribed medicines with very small sips of water.
During a colorectal surgery
Once you are brought to the operating room, the nurses will help you like down on the operating table. The anaesthesiologist will give you medications to put you to sleep and make you comfortable during the procedure.
The length of the procedure depends on the extent of surgery to be performed and whether any complications occur during the procedure. Most laparoscopic surgeries take around 2 – 3 hours to complete. Open surgeries may range from 1 – 4 hours depending on the complexity of the procedure.
Post-colorectal surgery
When you wake up after surgery, you will experience some pain in your abdomen for a few days. Your doctor will give you pain medications to help you feel more comfortable.
To allow your bowels to recover, your doctor will advise you to consume only liquids for the first few days after surgery. Most often, patients are able to eat solid food after a few days.
Colorectal surgery recovery period
After the surgery, your condition will be monitored in the hospital for around 2 – 4 days if you had laparoscopic surgery. If you had open surgery, you may be asked to stay in the hospital for about a week. Once your doctor clears you for discharge, you can continue your recovery period at home.
Try to take it slow while you recover at home. You are likely to have some pain in your abdomen, and you may feel tired or nauseous at times. You may also notice some blood in your stool, and your bowel movements may not be regular for a few weeks. Do not lift heavy objects or engage in intense physical activity until your doctor gives you clearance to do so.
The recovery period is shorter if you underwent a laparoscopic surgery. Most patients feel better after 1 – 2 weeks, with full recovery in about 2 – 4 weeks. If you underwent an open surgery, it usually takes around 6 weeks to fully recover.
Risks and complications of colorectal surgery
Similar to other surgical procedures, there are risks and possible complications when you undergo colorectal surgery. Some common complications include:
- Wound infection
- Bleeding
- Abscess formation inside the abdomen
- Damage to surrounding organs
- Temporary delay in bowel motility (called ileus)
- Leaks from the remaining parts of the bowel
- Bowel obstruction due to formation of scar tissues (called adhesions) inside the abdomen