Colon Removal

Colon Removal

If you have been diagnosed with colon cancer, Crohn’s disease or diverticulitis that may have spread significantly, your doctor may recommend colectomy, a surgical procedure to remove a part or your entire colon, in order to stem the spread of cancerous cells to other organs of your body. Colon removal requires that other procedures be performed in order to reattach the remaining portions of the digestive system so that waste materials can be eliminated from the body.

Why Colon Removal May Be Necessary

There may be several reasons why your physician may recommend colon removal. If you have any bowel obstructions that hinder the functioning of the colon, then you may be at risk of severe colon infections. Surgery is often recommended for those who experience frequent attacks of diverticulitis. Recurring problems of bleeding from the intestine, the formation of fistulas between the colon and adjacent organs like the bladder, uterus or vagina may necessitate the need for colon removal. When colon cancer is diagnosed in the later stages, your doctor may suggest the surgical removal of your colon in order to stem the growth of cancer cells.

What You Need To Know About Colon Removal

You can be rest assured that the procedure of colon removal is normal. However, make sure that you clear your doubts with the doctor and share your concerns with him. Opt for a second opinion if you deem it necessary. The surgeon will perform a colectomy after your colon has been cleansed completely with a laxative or any other form of medication the doctor may prescribe. Prior to your operation, you will need to maintain a nutritious diet with plenty of exercise for weeks before the surgery. This will help to boost your immune system. In a partial colon removal, the surgeon will remove only those parts that are affected along with a portion of healthy surrounding tissue to ensure that the diseased tissue does not spread to other organs of your body. Surgery is performed under general anesthetic, while a less invasive technique known as laparoscopic surgery is usually conducted by most surgeons today.

Post Colectomy Treatment

After the surgery, you will be required to use a colostomy bag that collects the waste material from your body. There may be pain associated with the surgery, for which the doctor will prescribe several days of pain medication. Those who undergo laparoscopic surgery usually recover in about a week, while open surgery patients usually take around 8 weeks to recover.

Risks Involved in Colectomy

Like most other surgical procedures, colon removal also carries the risk of complications. However, this will depend on your overall health condition and the type of colectomy. Some of the common complications of colectomy include bleeding, formation of blood clots in the legs, infections, injury to other organs such as the small intestines and bladder and perforations in the sutures that reconnect the remaining parts of the digestive tract.

By maintaining a healthy diet and avoiding bad habits such as alcohol and smoking, you can keep you colon healthy, without the fear of falling prey to diseases. A few sessions of colon hydrotherapy a year combined with the use of colon cleansing products can help flush out toxins and boost your immune system.