Surgery for Colon Cancer (Colectomy)

During colorectal surgery, often a colectomy, parts of the colon or rectum are surgically removed (sometimes the entire rectum). Here’s what you should know.

During colorectal surgery, often a colectomy, parts of your colon or rectum are surgically removed. Sometimes the entire rectum is removed. When part of the rectum is removed, the surgery is called proctectomy.

A colostomy can be short-term, depending on your healthcare provider's advice, but it is usually permanent.

You will be given instructions on how to get ready for your surgery. Follow these instructions carefully. You will likely be admitted to the hospital on the day of your surgery. In certain cases, you may need to be admitted to the hospital the day before. You may have open surgery or laparoscopic surgery.

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What is a colostomy?

If part of your colon and rectum are removed, you will need a colostomy. A colostomy is an operation that creates an opening for the colon, or large intestine, through your abdomen. A colostomy may be temporary or permanent.

After a colostomy

Getting used to a colostomy may take time. Learning to care for it and the changes in your body can be tough. Keep in mind that you are still the same person you were before the colostomy. You can still do many of the activities that you love. 

Caring for your stoma

During an end colostomy, the end of the colon is brought through your abdominal wall, where it may be turned under, like a cuff. The edges of the colon are then stitched to the skin of your abdominal wall to form an opening called a stoma. Stool drains from the stoma into a bag or pouch attached to your abdomen.

Changing your pouch

If you received a stoma during surgery, stool will pass into a pouch attached with adhesive to your body. You’ll need to learn how to change your pouch before you go home. You usually need to change your drainable pouch every once or twice a week, but you will empty your pouch more often.

Irrigating your colostomy

Irrigating a colostomy allows you increased control over the timing of your bowel movements. Once a day, or once every other day, you will flush the colostomy with warm water. To irrigate, you need an irrigation kit, hook, and water-soluble lubricant. Before starting an irrigation program, get specific instructions from an enterostomal or wound-ostomy-continence healthcare provider. 

Managing your nutrition

You don’t have to eat a special diet just because you’ve had a colostomy. Most foods, chewed well and eaten slowly, won’t give you problems — unless they did before. But you may need to be more aware of foods that cause gas or odor and foods that make your stool too runny or too hard. 

Living an active life

Once you heal from surgery, you can still live an active life. In most cases, it’s your choice how much having a colostomy limits your life.

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