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Surgery for Rectal Cancer: Stages II, III, IV

Resection: Recovery From A Colectomy

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Recovery from a resection involves the following:

  • Soon after the operation, you will be taken to the recovery room.  
    • You may be sleepy and not able to stay awake.
    • Your throat may be sore from the breathing tube used during the operation. 
    • You may feel cold. 
    • Don’t be surprised if there are several tubes attached to your body. For instance:
      • A drain in your abdomen to remove excess fluid.
      • An intraveneous line in your arm which is attached to a bag of fluids hanging next to your bed.
      • A Foley catheter in your urethra to help you urinate after surgery. The catheter is usually removed a few days after surgery.
  • When your vital signs are stabilized, you will be moved to a regular hospital room.
    • With a rectal resection, urinary function may change because the nerves may be bruised or injured during the surgery. 
    • Some patients will need a urinary catheter for longer than usual, medication, or both. The loss of urinary control is generally not permanent.
  • Surgery sometimes causes constipation or diarrhea. To avoid constipation your doctor may prescribe a stool softener or laxative for several days after the operation. For tips about dealing with constipation, click here. For tips about dealing with diarrhea, click here.
  • Your health care team will monitor you for signs of bleeding, infection, or other problems requiring immediate treatment.
  • Intake of food and liquid will be restricted for a day or two to give your bowels a chance to recover.
  • With a rectal resection, urinary function may change because the nerves may be bruised or injured during the surgery. Some patients will need a urinary catheter for longer than usual, medication, or both, on a temporary basis.The loss of urinary control is generally not permanent.
  • The day of the surgery or the very next day, you will be asked to walk and move around.  This allows you to expand your lungs which helps prevent pneumona and blood clots. You will also be given breathing exercises to clear your lungs.
  • You may be uncomfortable for the first few days. 
    • You will likely be given narcotic medications for at least 36 hours after surgery to control pain. After that you will be given a decreased amount of pain medications orally.  
    • Do not hesitate to ask for pain medication. Studies show that people who take pain medications after an operation do not become addicted.  
    • Patient activists suggest that you take maximum pain relief at least initially to stay ahead of the pain. (To learn more about pain and dealing with it, see Pain 101)  
  • Fatigue is normal after surgery.
  • Coughing:  If you have an incision in your upper body, you may feel that your incision is going to break apart when you cough – especially if you have open surgery with a large incision. A time tested tip to ease the pain is to use a pillow for support when you cough. Where to hold the pillow depends on where the incision is.
    • If your incision is in the front, hold the pillow against your chest or abdomen. Fold your arms across the pillow. Then cough.
    • If your incision is on your back, lean against the pillow. Then cough.
  • The tube which drains the abdomen will remain in place until nothing flows through it. This usually takes a day or two. 
    • If the urinary (Foley) catheter is removed too soon after surgery it may lead to permanent incontinence. 
    • On the day the catheter comes out, it is advisable to drink extra fluids because your doctor will want to make sure there is no urinary obstruction. (It may still take time to regain your urinary control).    
    • NOTE:  Examine the catheter often to be sure it is secure. If it isn't, contact your medical care provider immediately.     
  • If you have an ostomy:
    • Keep in mind that for most people, an ostomy is temporary. It is needed only until the rectum heals from surgery. After healing takes place, the surgeon reconnects the intestines and closes the stoma. Some people, especially people with a tumor in the lower rectum, need a permanent ostomy.
    • Expect the stoma to be bright red and a bit swollen at first. As time goes on, it will shrink a bit to about a quarter or a half-inch beyond the skin of the abdomen but the distinct red coloration will  remain. There will also be a continual production of cleansing mucus.
    • Your doctor, your nurse, or an enterostomal therapist (a professional trained in ostomies) will teach you how to clean the area and prevent irritation and infection. Experience indicates there are both good and bad experiences with training from nurses who are not specialists in dealing with stomas. You can contact an enterostomal therapist who will talk you through the process even while in the hospital by calling the United Ostomy Association, Tel.: 800.826.0826. 
    • For additional information about ostomies, click here.
  • You will be given antibiotics to prevent infection.
  • Don't be surprised if all kinds of emotions show up - particularly anxiety or depression. 
    • Don’t let your feelings interfere with getting medical care. 
    • Prolonged worry and angst may have an ill effect on your ability to heal physically. There are steps to take to help, including medications and speaking with someone in a similar situlation, or who has been in a similar situation. 
    • If the emotions become burdensome, seek professional counseling.  (For information about dealing with emotions, see the documents in "To Learn More.") 
  • To keep family and friends posted about how you are doing, ask a family member or friend to either create a phone tree on which people keep each other posted easily or a posting on the internet. There are sites specifically for this purpose. For more information, click here. (NOTE: If you will be changing jobs or seeking employment in the foreseeable future, it is preferable to use a phone tree or similar idea to keep people posted. Prospective employers generally search the internet before agreeing to even meet a prospective employee). 

NOTE: Do not be surprised if you do not remember what happens in the recovery room. Your ability to hear and remember information may be impaired until all of the anesthesia is out of your system.


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