When to visit a doctor

1) Vomiting
2) Abdominal Pain
3) Diarrhoea
4) Abdominal distension
5) Blood in stools
6) Constipation

Indications

1. Intestinal / colon cancer
2. Intestinal blockages caused by scar tissue or tumors
3. Diverticulitis, which is a disease of the large bowel
4. Precancerous polyps
5. Infection
6. Bleeding in the intestines
7. Volvulus, which is an abnormal twisting of the bowel
8. Ulcerative colitis, which is a type of bowel inflammation
9. Intussusception, which occurs when one part of your intestine slides into another part of your intestine

What is a bowel resection?

The goal of this surgery is to remove diseased sections of your bowel. During this surgery, your surgeon removes the diseased parts of your bowel and then reconnects the healthy parts. Your surgeon may remove all or part of your bowel.

Your surgeon may perform aileostomy / colostomy if there’s not enough healthy intestine after surgery. During a colostomy, your surgeon moves one end of your large intestine to the outside of your abdominal wall and attaches a colostomy bag to your abdomen. When stool passes through your large intestine, it drains into the bag. The stool that goes into the bag is usually soft or liquid.

A colostomy / ileostomyis often temporary. You’ll have the bag until your intestines heal. During a new operation, your surgeon can then remove the colostomy / ileostomy . In some cases, however, the stomas are permanent.

What are the risks associated with a bowel resection?

• infection
• bleeding
• heart attack or stroke
• blood clots
• difficulty breathing
• pneumonia
• damage to adjacent structures

How do I prepare for a bowel resection?

At least two weeks before surgery, tell your doctor about all the medicationsyou’re taking. You should include supplements such as vitamins and herbs. You should also inform them about any recent illnesses including any colds, flus, or herpes breakouts.

Before surgery, your doctor may need you to:

• stop taking blood-thinning drugs, such as aspirin (Bufferin), ibuprofen (Advil), naproxen (Aleve), or warfarin (Coumadin)
• stop smoking
• drink plenty of water
• eat foods high in fiber

A few days before you have a large bowel resection, you may need to:

• take laxatives to help you defecate
• have an enemato clear your colon
• drink only clear liquids, such as water, clear juice, and broth

On the day of your surgery, follow your doctor’s instructions. You may need to refrain from eating or drinking anything for 12 hours before the surgery.

Queries ?

What happens after a large bowel resection?

You’ll generally stay in the hospital for three to seven days. You may need to stay in the hospital longer if you develop complications. You’re generally able to drink clear liquids by the second or third day. As you heal, you’ll be able to drink thicker fluids and eat soft foods.A full recovery may take about one - two months.

How to protect bowel?

1) Eat plenty of fibres
2) Plenty of fluid intake
3) Avoid constipation medicine overuse