Operation- do not know what to expect

Colon Resection Surgery Details
I found the details of the procedure online at ---http://www.debakeydepartmentofsurgery.org/home/content.cfm?content_id=274&proc_name=colon+re

What do I need to do before surgery?
Please contact your insurance company to verify the coverage and determine whether a referral is required. You will be asked to pre-register with the appropriate hospital and provide demographic and insurance information. This must be completed at least five to ten days before the surgery date. Your surgeon will give you specific instructions on how to prepare for the procedure.
Before surgery, your colon will need to be emptied. Your physician will give you directions on how to do this. You may be put on a liquid diet and instructed to drink a solution that will induce diarrhea. You may also be instructed to give yourself an enema.

What happens on the day of surgery?
You will report to a pre-operative nursing unit, where you will change into a hospital gown. A nurse will review your chart and confirm that all paperwork is in order. You will be taken to a pre-operative nursing unit where an anesthesiologist will start an IV. Before any medications are administered, your surgeon will verify your name and the type of procedure you are having. You will then be taken to the operating room. After the appropriate form of anesthesia is administered, surgery will be performed.
What type of anesthesia will be used?
You will have a pre-operative interview with an anesthesiologist who will ask you questions regarding your medical history. Colon resections are performed under general anesthesia, which will keep you asleep during your surgery.
What happens during the surgery, and how is it performed?
If your surgery is performed laparoscopically, your surgeon will make three to four small incisions, and insert tube-like instruments through them. The abdomen will be filled with gas to help the surgeon view the abdominal cavity. A camera will be inserted through one of the tubes that will display images on a monitor in the operating room. In this manner, your surgeon will be able to work inside your abdomen without making a larger incision.
Your surgeon will perform the colon resection with the laparoscopic method unless other factors require open surgery. If the procedure will be performed with the open method, your surgeon will make one larger incision to enable him or her to view and repair the colon.
Once inside, the surgeon will clamp off the diseased section of colon and then cut it free. The diseased colon will be removed, and the healthy colon stitched back together. In some cases, a colostomy (link to colostomy procedure) may be performed.
What happens after the surgery?
Once the surgery is completed, you will be taken to a post-operative or recovery unit, where a nurse will monitor your progress. It is important that your bandages be kept clean and dry. Mild discomfort may occur at the incision site, so your surgeon may prescribe pain medication. You will be scheduled for a follow-up appointment within two weeks after your surgery.
How long will I be in the hospital?
Most patients are in the hospital from five to seven days with an open colon resection and three to five days with a laparoscopic colon resection. You may need a ride home when discharged from the hospital.
What are the risks associated with a colon resection?
As with any surgery, there are risks such as bleeding, infection, or an adverse reaction to anesthesia. Other risks include injury to the ureter, bowel, or spleen, and anastomotic dehiscence, which is the separation or leaking of the sutured colon. Your physician will inform you of the risks prior to surgery.
What should I watch out for?
Be sure to call your doctor if any of the following symptoms appear:
• Fever
• Worsening pain
• Redness or swelling around the incision
• The incision is warm to the touch
• Drainage from the incision
Will there be scar(s)?
If the procedure is performed laparoscopically the incisions should heal well, leaving small discrete scars. If the open method is used, a larger scar will be present.
When can I expect to return to work and/or resume normal activities?
This can vary from patient to patient. There are no restrictions after laparoscopic colon resection. You will be encouraged to return to normal activities such as showering, driving, walking up stairs, light lifting, and work as soon as you feel comfortable. Some patients can return to work in a few weeks while others prefer to wait longer. You should not perform heavy lifting or straining for six to eight weeks after open surgery. If you are taking narcotic medications for pain, you should not drive.

http://www.debakeydepartmentofsurgery.org/home/content.cfm?content_id=274&proc_name=colon+re

lizzydavis said:

Low Residue Diet after Colon Resection
I was prescribed a Low Residue Diet after my surgery.


A low residue diet eliminates coarse fiber and other indigestible material that may cause distress to the gastrointestinal tract and designed to reduce the volume and frequency of bowel movements. It is similar to a low fiber diet, but also restricts milk and milk products and prunes.


Foods to Choose:
Ground, well cooked fish, poultry, beef, pork, or lamb.
Eggs Strained fruit Canned or cooked fruit without skin or seeds -Bananas, soft cantaloupe or honeydew melon
Well cooked fresh or canned vegetables Cooked potatoes (no skin)
Enriched white bread, rolls, biscuits, muffins, bagels, English muffins, waffles, French toast, pancakes - White rice, noodles, or pasta - Cream of wheat, grits, farina - Puffed rice, corn flakes, or other refined cereals
Milk, yogurt, custard, ice creamCheese, cottage cheese
Juice Soft drinks Decaffeinated coffee or tea - Cake, cookies, pie, pudding, ice cream, sorbet, popsicles - Oil, butter, margarine, mayonnaise, salad dressing


Foods That May Cause Distress ---------------
Tough, fibrous meat with gristle-- Dry beans, peas, and lentils-- Baked beans---Chunky Peanut butter
Prunes and prune juice --Raw or dried fruit---All berries and raisins
Raw or steamed vegetables------Asparagus--Sweet potatoes---Whole asparagus---Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, sauerkraut, onions, cauliflower, corn, winter squash
Bread or muffins with nuts, seeds or fruit---Whole wheat, pumpernickel, or cornbread---Brown or wild rice---Whole grain cereals, bran cereals, granola, or any cereals with nuts, seeds, coconut, or dried fruit
Yogurt with nuts or seeds
Desserts made with nuts, seeds, coconut, or dried fruit-Popcorn

I had a colon resection on May 15, 2009.
I had a colon resection on May 15, 2009. Approx. 6" was removed. I was in the hospital for 3 nights. I slept in a recliner when I got home since I was not comfortable in the bed. It was easy for me to get up and down by myself that way and I used a comforter and was cozy.

Things went better than I expected. I hope things go well for you. If you have more questions, please feel free to ask. That's why we are here - to support each other.

dorang said:

Operation
Thanks so much for the suggestion and the details of the operation. I so scared that I am lost for words. It is good for people like all of you came and give suggestions to me which I am grateful.

post-op
Interesting comment about "mild discomfort" following surgery. One thing, while you are in the hospital for recovery, stay ahead of the pain curve and if you have discomfort, don't be afraid to ask the nurse for the pain millers. Even when you start feeling better, and you will, stay on the pain meds.They make the stay more bearable.

Also, get up for a walk as soon as you can. They won't let you out until your system kicks back in and the signal for this is passing gas. I had a resection done last October and walked as much as I could while in the hospital. I found that holding a smaller pillow over the incision area (I got a two-fer, they tried lapra. surgery, but couldn't locate the cancer location, so they did the open method. The lap scars were a piece of cake, it was the bigger cut that took the wind out of my sails and was tougher to get over. The pillow is comforting. Don't be afraid to ask for an escort while you walk, you wouldn't want to trip or fall. I found the nurses to be terrific and compassionate. In fact, my whole med team was awesome. You will also be very, very thirsty in the beginning and they'll just give you crushed ice, but if you can tolerate it, you can have more.

I'm fairly robust, but even so, it took me form Oct. to Christmas to be back my stamina. So, don't push going back to work or your normal routine too quickly, it will be tampting and you'll be sick of just hanging around the house. Keep up the walks while you are home, but again with an escort. I found a walking stick to be helpful.

Also, if they use staples on your incisions, when they take them out, it's no big deal, some I didn't even feel, and a couple were only a tickle while being removed. None was painful.

Sorry you have to the operation, but otherwise, you would be able to qualify for this wonderful, goofy club called the "Semicolons."