Age A history of medical conditions (aside from the colon cancer) Diet Lifestyle (Do they smoke cigarettes? Exercise?)
Hospital Recovery
A total colectomy is a major operation and requires a three to seven-day hospital stay on average. During this time, the doctors and nurses will be working hard to keep your loved one comfortable, watch for any complications, and ease them back into nutrition and activity.
Potential Complications
Like most major surgeries, there are risks and potential complications associated with the colectomy. And while none of them are routine, the most common complications include:
Bleeding and infection Intestinal blockages (in the small intestine if scar tissue develops) Problems with the surgical wound
If complications do occur, the patient’s hospital stay and increase their overall recovery time. They also might need more assistance when they come home. For instance, if a surgical wound infection occurs, your loved one’s surgeon will most likely suggest homecare nurses to come and help you care for the wound until it has healed.
Before Homecoming
There are several things you can do to prepare for your loved one’s arrival home after surgery. Barring any complications, they should not require any additional assistance beyond what you can offer.
Personal Care
Things that many people take for granted, such as showering, moving around, and using the restroom, become a challenge following abdominal surgery. If they have a split-level or two-story home, it may be difficult initially for your loved one to ambulate up and down the steps to shower, rest, or go to bed. If you have a ground floor room available — preferably very close to a bathroom — that is best. Following a colectomy, most people will have up to six bowel movements per day. It might help your loved one conserve energy if they have access to, or can rent, a bedside commode for a few weeks.
Medications
Get a list of your loved one’s medications prior to surgery, and make sure that they have a good supply. If they take multiple medications daily, a pillbox or planner might help to keep things organized. Upon discharge from the hospital, the surgeon will probably give you prescriptions to control pain and help them recover more quickly. Fill them immediately, as you never know when they may begin to feel uncomfortable after arriving home. Also, make sure you have their insurance card and ID when you go to pick the medications up.
Check their comfort frequently once they arrive home. Any medications given for pain at the hospital may begin to wear off and they might be in pain. Use the medications from the doctor as prescribed and be sure to call the doctor if the pain medications are not keeping your loved one comfortable.
There is a good chance they will not feel up to eating a large meal anytime soon. Smaller, more frequent meals are usually preferable following surgery. Check with the doctor to see if there are any specific dietary recommendations; soft foods, water, and soup may be advisable.
When to Call the Doctor
Review the discharge instructions carefully. Most surgeons give specific guidelines on what to expect following surgery versus when to call immediately. In general, you should the doctor if:
Their pain is increasing or poorly controlled with the medication given They develop a fever of 101 F or have drainage or redness around the surgical incision They develop any unusual symptoms (vomiting, confusion, lethargy) No bowel movement in four days following discharge or they were having bowel movements and they suddenly stopped If they develop sudden swelling in her belly, especially if it is accompanied by nausea or vomiting Their legs become swollen or they have pain in the back of one or both calves (posterior lower leg pain)
