Patient Education
This educational information is
to help you be better informed
about your operation and
empower you with the skills and
knowledge needed to actively
participate in your care.
Keeping You
Informed
Information that will help you
further understand your operation
and your role in healing.
Education is provided on:
Colectomy Overview ......................1
Condition, Symptoms, Tests .........2
Treatment Options….. ....................3
Risks of These Procedures .............4
Preparation
and Expectations .............................5
Your Recovery
and Discharge ....................................6
Pain Control.............................................7
Glossary/References ........................8
Possible surgical risks include temporary
problems with the intestine that may
require a stoma; leakage from the colon
into the abdomen; lung problems including
pneumonia; infection of the wound,
blood, or urinary system; blood clots in the
veins or lung; bleeding; fi stula; or death.
Risk of not having an operation—Your
symptoms may continue or worsen, and
your disease or cancer may spread.
Expectations
Before your operation— Evaluation
may include a colonoscopy, blood work,
urinalysis, chest X-ray, or CAT Scan (CT)
of the abdomen.1 Your surgeon and
anesthesia provider will discuss your
health history, home medications, and
postoperative pain control options.
The day of your operation—You will
not eat for 4 hours but may drink clear
liquids up to 2 hours before the operation.
Medication to clean out your intestines
and an antibiotic may be started the day
before. Most often you will take your
normal medication with a sip of water.
Your recovery—The average length
of stay is 3 to 4 days for a laparoscopic
or open colectomy.2 The time from
your fi rst bowel movement to eating
normally is also about 3 to 4 days.
Call your surgeon if you have continued
nausea, vomiting, leakage from the wound,
blood in the stool, severe pain, stomach
cramping, chills, or a high