Having Open Colon Surgery (2024)

FAQs

What is the recovery time for open colon surgery? ›

Following colorectal laparoscopic surgery, the average hospital stay is 6.5 days and normal activities usually resume within 1 to 2 weeks. With open surgery, the average hospital stay is 9 days and typically 6 weeks of recovery.

The five-year relative survival rates for the open colectomy and National Cancer Data Base groups were 75 and 70 percent, respectively, for Stage I, 65 and 60 percent for Stage II, 46 and 44 percent for Stage III, and 11 and 7 percent for Stage IV.

You are likely to have pain that comes and goes for the next few days after bowel surgery. You may have bowel cramps, and your cut (incision) may hurt. You may also feel like you have influenza (flu). You may have a low fever and feel tired and nauseated.

Opening your bowels

It is quite normal for it to take several days for your bowel to open after surgery. You will begin by passing wind and then you will get the normal sensation of needing to open your bowels. It may be unpredictable to begin with and can be looser than usual.

Can patients live a normal life after a colon resection? Yes, most patients have a successful colon resection procedure and go on to live full and comfortable lives. If there is an underlying disease, of course, continuing treatment may be necessary.

The 30-day mortality rate was 4% after elective and 11% after emergency resections. Most deaths were caused by medical complications, reflecting increased co-morbidity in the elderly. Post-operative mortality was 1% in patients under the age of 59.

Colectomy carries a risk of serious complications. Your risk of complications is based on your general health, the type of colectomy you undergo and the approach your surgeon uses to perform the operation. In general, complications of colectomy can include: Bleeding.

Before subtotal colectomy, the median body mass index decreased to 21.3 kg/m², a reduction of 8.5%. One month after subtotal colectomy, the median body mass index was at its lowest level of 20.8 kg/m², which represented a 10.7% decrease from the healthy weight.

You are likely to have pain that comes and goes for the next few days after bowel surgery. You may have bowel cramps, and your cut (incision) may hurt. You may also feel like you have the flu. You may feel tired and nauseated.

What is the fastest way to recover from bowel surgery? ›

Recovery After Colon Resection Surgery

Colorectal Surgical Associates will instruct you when you can begin solid foods. Expect you will be sore at the incision(s) and weak for the first one to two weeks. It will take approximately six weeks for full recovery from colon resection surgery.

Fatigue is your body's way of telling you that you need to rest. Fatigue is normal following surgery and should improve day after day as your body begins to heal itself.

One of the most common problems after surgery is your bowel can shut down. It is called an ileus. This means food and gas have trouble passing through your intestines. If you do get an ileus, it usually lasts two to three days.

What to Expect on the Day of Surgery. Colorectal surgeries are major surgical procedures done under general anesthesia. These surgeries can be done with open or minimally invasive procedures. Either option will take several hours and you will have to stay in the hospital for at least a few days.

Exercise and general activities

Start by going for short walks every day, gradually increasing the distance you walk. Most patients are able to get back to normal (including participating in sport or exercise) approximately 6–8 weeks after they go home. You should not go swimming until your wound is completely healed.

You may need to wear a colostomy bag to catch the poop when it comes out. Some people only have a colostomy for a few months, and others need it for life. A colostomy often follows a colectomy, a procedure to remove part or all of your colon.

You will be able to go back to your normal diet after surgery, but you may find that some foods you used to eat are difficult to digest. It is best to avoid these foods for now. Over time, your body will adjust, and you should be able to eat what you want. No two people respond the same way after a colon resection.