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Colectomy, Partial and Total, Discharge Instructions


About this topic


This procedure is the removal of all or part of your large bowel, also called the colon. Stool passes through the large bowel before leaving your body through the anus. ‚  
After the diseased part of the colon is removed, the doctor may sew the healthy ends of the colon back together. Other time, the healthy end of the colon is connected to the surface of the belly. This is a stoma or ostomy. It can be short-term or long-term. ‚  


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What care is needed at home?


  • Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
  • Talk to your doctor about how to care for your cut site. Ask your doctor about:
    • When you should change your bandages
    • When you may take a bath or shower
    • If you need to be careful with lifting things over 10 pounds
    • When you may go back to your normal activities like work, driving, or sex
    • If you need to change your eating habits.
    • If you take drugs that are time-released or time-sustained. Your doctor will need to switch these drugs to a different form (immediate-release drugs) while you are recovering from surgery.
  • Be sure to wash your hands before touching your wound or dressing.
  • Talk to your doctor about how to care for your ostomy if you have one. The ostomy is often temporary to give your bowel a chance to heal. You will need to learn how to change the ostomy bag. This bag collects your bowel contents.

What follow-up care is needed?


  • Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
  • If you have stitches or staples, you will need to have them taken out. Your doctor will often want to do this in 1 to 2 weeks.

What drugs may be needed?


The doctor may order drugs to: ‚  
  • Prevent infection
  • Relieve pain
  • Replace nutrients, vitamins, and minerals

Talk to your doctor before taking any laxatives. ‚  

Will physical activity be limited?


You may need to rest for a while. You should not do physical activity that makes your health problem worse. If you run, work out, or play sports, you may not be able to do those things until your health problem gets better. Talk to your doctor about the right amount of activity for you. ‚  

What problems could happen?


  • Bleeding inside your belly
  • Pain
  • Infection
  • Damage to nearby organs
  • The ends of the bowel that are sewn together come open
  • Scar tissue that causes blockage of the bowel

When do I need to call the doctor?


  • Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, wound that will not heal, pain with passing urine.
  • Signs of wound infection. These include swelling, redness, warmth around the wound; too much pain when touched; yellowish, greenish, or bloody discharge; foul smell coming from the cut site; cut site opens up.
  • Problems with your belly. These include upset stomach, throwing up that lasts for more than 2 days, very bad belly pain.
  • Problems with your stools. These include not passing any stool, loose stools, bloody or black stools.
  • Pain that you cannot control with the drugs you have been given
  • Cough, shortness of breath, or chest pain
  • Feeling weak or dizzy
  • Pain or swelling in your feet, calves, or legs
  • You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse

Teach Back: Helping You Understand


The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚  
  • I can tell you about my procedure.
  • I can tell you how to care for my cut site.
  • I can tell you what I will do if I have swelling, redness, or warmth around my wound.

Where can I learn more?


American Cancer Society ‚  
http://www.cancer.org/cancer/colonandrectumcancer/detailedguide/colorectal-cancer-treating-surgery ‚  

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer


This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚  

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