Tips for Colon Cancer Surgery Recovery
Immediately after your colon cancer surgery, recovery starts to take place. Initially, you will be moved from the operating theater to the recovery room and from there, you will be transferred back to your room or ward. For the next few days, you will probably not be allowed to eat or drink and a tube will be inserted up your nose and down into your stomach to suck out air and stomach juices to prevent bloating and any nausea, plus allowing you to heal. You will then be started on clear fluids and this will gradually build up to a fairly normal diet within a few days.
During the recovery stage, it is advisable to avoid certain foods that may cause diarrhea, constipation and or excessive gas such as cabbage, nuts and beans. Initially a diet low in fiber is best with fresh fruit and vegetable being reintroduced slowly. Eating a well balanced diet is important and your dietician will advise you on dietary requirements. It is good to note that some medications also cause these unwanted side effects and should be monitored as well. If you notice a problem, advise your doctor, who may alter the dosage or change medications completely.
By about the six or seventh weeks after your surgery, your colon cancer recovery should be progressing quite well. After, with your doctor’s approval, you should be ready to start light exercise. Studies have shown that the overall well being of patients who exercised after colon cancer surgery was much better than those who did not.
If you have had a colostomy, you will be taught how to manage and care for your stoma before you leave hospital and although you may have to make some modifications to your daily routine, living with a colostomy should not have a great impact on your lifestyle, with most colostomy patients returning to work and sports. Today’s colostomy bags and tubes are designed to lie flat so they are not noticeable under clothing. And yes, there is no reason why you cannot enjoy a healthy sex life.
A chat to your doctor to find out if you can consider colostomy irrigation may be a great benefit when attending long social engagements or outings. This process uses an enema through the stoma that will clear the colon for the day, in which case, a bag may not need to be used. Laparoscopic surgery recovery is much easier, since only a small incision is made.
With the many support groups to help you, plus regular checkups with your doctors and surgeons, at which time you can voice any problems or concerns you may have, cancer colon surgery recovery should be relatively easy and trouble free.
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