Colon surgery may be necessary to treat serious conditions in an effort to restore your normal bowel function. If you have polyps, diverticular disease, cancerous growths, or other colorectal issues, book a colon surgery evaluation with Stephen Brooks, MD, FACS, RPVI, at Cape Cod Surgical Associates in Hyannis, Massachusetts, to find out if surgery is right for you. Click on the online scheduler, or call to book an appointment over the phone.
As with most procedures, surgical intervention is generally the last resort if conservative measures fail, or if you have a severe condition that requires prompt correction. Your doctor may recommend colon surgery if you have:
Modern colon surgery procedures help you restore your normal bowel function as much as possible, while effectively treating the underlying condition.
Cape Cod Surgical Associates offers a wide range of colon surgeries, both inpatient and outpatient. Though the type of colon surgery you need is personalized to you, descriptions of some of the most common colon procedures are below:
A colectomy (or colon resection) is a general term for surgeries that involve removing some or all of your large intestine.
During a colostomy, your surgeon creates an opening in your abdominal wall and pulls an end of your colon through this opening (called a stoma). The new opening allows waste to exit your body and go into a bag on the outside of your body.
A rectopexy repositions your internal organs and surrounding structures to securely hold your bowels into a proper position if you have rectal prolapse issues.
This procedure, called the J-pouch procedure, involves making a pouch from the end of your small intestine. Your surgeon attaches this pouch to your anus to restore your stool functions, which may be necessary if you need your large intestine removed.
Recovery from colon surgery can take as little as a couple of weeks for minor procedures and up to six to eight weeks for more complex procedures. In general, you should avoid heavy lifting and strenuous activities for at least six weeks, especially if you needed a complex colon surgery.
Your body is going to continue to heal for several months. It’s common to experience soreness, muscle aches, and abdominal cramping for up to six months after colon surgery (sometimes longer). The team at Cape Cod Surgical Associates supports you throughout your recovery to ensure you heal properly and learn to get back to adjusting to your routine after colon surgery.
To learn more about modern colon surgeries offered by Cape Cod Surgical Associates, book an exam. You can quickly schedule online or by phone with a team member.
