A colon resection, or colectomy, is a surgery to remove part or all of the colon. The surgery may be a necessary treatment for many different diseases including colon cancer, Crohn's disease, bowel obstruction, fistulas, diverticulitis, volvulus or twisting of the bowel, inflammatory bowel disease and strictures. Whatever the reason for your surgery, good nutrition after the operation will be essential to your recovery. Talk to your surgeon before the procedure to discuss any concerns you may have about the post-op diet.
Colectomy
A colon resection is performed either via a traditional, long incision down the abdomen or laproscopically through several small incisions. During the operation, the surgeon will isolate and remove the diseased part of your bowel. Then, he will stitch the healthy ends of the colon back together. Sometimes, it is necessary to connect the colon to a colostomy bag outside the body which will collect waste material. The colostomy procedure may or may not be reversible.
Recovery
The length of your hospital stay following the operation will depend on the technique used by the surgeon and the amount of colon removed during the resection. Generally, laproscopic patients should expect to stay in the hospital for three to five days, while patients who underwent an open surgery have a longer stay of five to seven days. For the first few days after your surgery, you will be given intravenous fluids, but will not be allowed to eat. After several days, the hospital staff will start you on a liquid diet and gradually introduce solids as your colon heals.
Soft Diet
Your surgeon will probably prescribe a restricted, soft diet for two to eight weeks following the colectomy. When you are on a soft diet, you should avoid foods that are tough, chewy, fibrous, spicy, fried or greasy. Instead opt for easy to digest items such as white rice, yogurt, canned vegetables, mashed potatoes, white bread, pasta, canned fruit, frozen yogurt and pudding. Do your best to eat a well-balanced diet, but keep in mind that traditionally healthy foods such as carrot sticks and broccoli will do more damage than good while you are healing. Ask the hospital nutritionist for a meal plan and follow it scrupulously to ensure a rapid recovery from surgery.
Considerations
You should eat frequent, small snacks throughout the day rather than large meals. Your digestive tract will have a much easier time handling small portions of food. Swallowing air will give you uncomfortable gas, so avoid drinking with a straw and chewing gum or tobacco. Additionally, you should avoid gassy foods such as beans or raw vegetables. Depending on the extent of your surgery, you may never return to a normal diet. Talk to your surgeon and a nutritionist before and after the operation to discuss your unique nutritional needs.
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