Colon surgery
Plan your appointment
Why colon surgery?
A colon surgery, also called colorectal surgery, is performed to treat conditions of the colon. This may be necessary for:
- Colorectal cancer
- Diverticulitis
- Crohn's disease
- Severe colon polyps or other abnormalities
The goal of surgery is to treat the underlying condition, relieve symptoms and prevent complications.
Preparation
You usually follow a special diet and are given laxatives to clean the bowel. Sometimes antibiotics are given to prevent infections.
The procedure
Removing part of the colon can be done either laparoscopically or through open surgery, depending on your situation. The affected part of the colon is removed and the healthy parts are joined back together. If a new connection between the parts of the colon is no longer possible, a stoma is placed. This can be temporary or permanent.
Aftercare
After surgery, you will stay in the hospital for several days to weeks. The recovery process depends on the complexity of the surgery and your general health.
An appropriate diet after surgery can help relieve the bowels and thus aid your recovery.