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Open bowel resection surgery: Overview
This surgery removes a piece of the intestine (bowel). The doctor makes one large cut in your belly to take out part of the intestine. This cut is called an incision. The doctor then connects the healthy parts of the intestine. This surgery is done to treat a bowel blockage. It can also treat diseases such as Crohn's disease, cancer, diverticulitis, and ulcers.
Most people go home after 3 to 7 days in the hospital.
After your child's open bowel resection: When to call
Call 911 anytime you think your child may need emergency care. For example, call if:
- Your child passes out (loses consciousness).
- Your child is short of breath.
Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:
- Your child has pain that does not get better after taking pain medicines.
- Your child cannot pass stools or gas.
- Your child is sick to their stomach and cannot drink fluids.
- Bright red blood has soaked through the bandage.
- Your child has signs of a blood clot in the leg (called a deep vein thrombosis), such as:
- Pain in the calf, back of the knee, thigh, or groin.
- Redness and swelling in the leg or groin.
- Your child has loose stitches, or the incision comes open.
- Your child has symptoms of infection, such as:
- Increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness.
- Red streaks leading from the incision.
- Pus draining from the incision.
- A fever.
Watch closely for changes in your child's health, and be sure to contact your doctor if your child has any problems.
How do you prepare for open bowel resection surgery?
Surgery can be stressful. This information will help you understand what you can expect. And it will help you safely prepare for surgery.
Preparing for surgery
- Your doctor may have you take antibiotics before surgery.
- A day or two before surgery, your doctor may have you stop eating and have you drink only clear liquids.
- Your doctor will tell you if you need to take laxatives or an enema before surgery.
- Be sure you have someone to take you home. Anesthesia and pain medicine will make it unsafe for you to drive or get home on your own.
- Understand exactly what surgery is planned, along with the risks, benefits, and other options.
- If you take a medicine that prevents blood clots, your doctor may tell you to stop taking it before your surgery. Or your doctor may tell you to keep taking it. (These medicines include aspirin and other blood thinners.) Make sure that you understand exactly what your doctor wants you to do.
- Tell your doctor ALL the medicines, vitamins, supplements, and herbal remedies you take. Some may increase the risk of problems during your surgery. Your doctor will tell you if you should stop taking any of them before the surgery and how soon to do it.
- Make sure your doctor and the hospital have a copy of your advance directive. If you don’t have one, you may want to prepare one. It lets others know your health care wishes. It’s a good thing to have before any type of surgery or procedure.
How can you care for yourself after open bowel resection surgery?
Activity
- Rest when you feel tired. Getting enough sleep will help you recover.
- Try to walk each day. Start by walking a little more than you did the day before. Bit by bit, increase the amount you walk. Walking boosts blood flow and helps prevent pneumonia and constipation.
- Avoid strenuous activities, such as biking, jogging, weight lifting, or aerobic exercise, until your doctor says it is okay.
- Avoid lifting anything that would make you strain. This may include heavy grocery bags and milk containers, a heavy briefcase or backpack, cat litter or dog food bags, a vacuum cleaner, or a child.
- Ask your doctor when you can drive again.
- You will probably need to take 3 to 4 weeks off from work. It depends on the type of work you do and how you feel. You may need to take off 4 to 6 weeks if you lift heavy objects in your job.
- You may shower 24 to 48 hours after surgery, if your doctor says it is okay. Pat the cut (incision) dry. Do not take a bath for the first 2 weeks, or until your doctor tells you it is okay.
- Ask your doctor when it is okay for you to have sex.
Diet
- You may not have much appetite after the surgery. But try to eat healthy foods. Your doctor will tell you about any foods you should not eat.
- Eat a low-fiber diet for several weeks after surgery. Eat many small meals throughout the day. Add high-fiber foods a little at a time.
- Eat yogurt. It puts good bacteria into your colon and helps prevent diarrhea.
- Try to avoid nuts, seeds, and corn for a while. They may be hard to digest.
- You may need to take vitamins that contain sodium and potassium. Ask your doctor.
- Drink plenty of fluids to avoid becoming dehydrated.
Medicines
- Your doctor will tell you if and when you can restart your medicines. You will also be given instructions about taking any new medicines.
- If you stopped taking aspirin or some other blood thinner, your doctor will tell you when to start taking it again.
- Take pain medicines exactly as directed.
- If the doctor gave you a prescription medicine for pain, take it as prescribed.
- If you are not taking a prescription pain medicine, ask your doctor if you can take an over-the-counter medicine.
- Do not take two or more pain medicines at the same time unless the doctor told you to. Many pain medicines have acetaminophen, which is Tylenol. Too much acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be harmful.
- If you think your pain medicine is making you sick to your stomach:
- Take your medicine after meals (unless your doctor tells you not to).
- Ask your doctor for a different pain medicine.
- If your doctor prescribed antibiotics, take them as directed. Do not stop taking them just because you feel better. You need to take the full course of antibiotics.
- You may need to take some medicines in a different form. You will be told whether to crush pills or take a liquid form of the medicine.
- If your doctor gives you a stool softener, take it as directed.
Incision care
- If you have strips of tape on the incision, leave the tape on until it falls off.
- Gently wash the area daily with warm, soapy water, and pat it dry. Don't use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol, which can slow healing. You may cover the area with a gauze bandage if it oozes or rubs against clothing.
- Change the bandage every day or if it gets wet or dirty.
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The content above contains general health information provided by Healthwise, Incorporated, and reviewed by its medical experts. This content should not replace the advice of your healthcare provider. Not all treatments or services described are offered as services by us. For recommended treatments, please consult your healthcare provider.