Sussex Premier Health, Hastings: Important update for patients with upcoming appointments
Removing a section of the bowel normally to treat cancer
Surgery may be necessary to treat bowel cancer. Your bowel is a long tube and the surgery usually involves removing the section of the tube affected by cancer.
The amount of bowel removed depends on the position and size of the cancer, and how advanced it is.
If you have bowel cancer, surgery may be necessary as part of your treatment. Bowel cancer surgery aims to remove the area of your bowel affected by cancer and usually a small amount of healthy tissue either side, to ensure all the cancer cells are removed.
Lymph nodes (small bean-shaped organs that are part of your immune system) near your bowel are usually removed as well because cancer tends to spread to the lymph nodes.
At Sussex Premier Health, you will have a formal consultation with a Consultant Surgeon . During this time you will be able to explain your medical history, symptoms and raise any concerns that you might have.
We will also discuss with you whether any further diagnostic tests, such as scans or blood tests, are needed. Any additional costs will be discussed before further tests are carried out.
On the day of your operation, our ward staff will show you to your own private room. Your private room will have an en-suite bathroom and TV and Wi-Fi facilities.
Bowel cancer surgery is done under general anaesthesia, which means you’ll be asleep during the procedure and will feel no pain. The operation usually takes about two hours.
During the procedure, your surgeon will make a cut in the skin over the centre of your abdomen and remove the section of your bowel (a long tube) affected by cancer. The two ends are then joined together with stitches or staples.
If the two ends of the bowel cannot be rejoined, you may need a colostomy (a procedure to divert one end of your colon through an opening in your abdomen) or ileostomy (a procedure which diverts the small bowel). One end of your bowel is joined to an opening in the skin (called a stoma). Waste can then pass from your bowel into a bag. The bag is worn over the stoma and lies against your tummy.
Colostomies and ileostomies may be temporary, allowing your bowel time to heal after an operation. Once healed, the procedure may be reversed. This is called stoma reversal. However, in some cases a permanent colostomy or ileostomy may be necessary.
Your surgeon will discuss colostomies, ileostomies and stomas with you before the operation. Sometimes it isn’t possible for your surgeon to tell what is needed until the operation is under way.
You will be given antibiotics during the operation to reduce the chance of getting an infection afterwards.
Depending on the type of surgery performed, you may need to stay in hospital for up to seven days following bowel surgery for cancer. You will only be discharged home once medically safe to do so.
Once you’re ready to be discharged from hospital, you’ll need to arrange for a friend or family member to take you home as you won’t be able to drive.
For guidance on pain relief and your recovery time, please see our patient information sections below.
We will provide you with a supply of all the medicines your consultant feels you need to take home with you after you’ve left hospital, up to 14 days. This may be at an additional cost to some patients.
There are a number of pain management options available so please discuss any discomfort with your nurse, anaesthetist or surgeon.
Usually you will have a scar on the front of your abdomen. The exact size of the scar will depend on your particular operation.
You will be given advice about deep-breathing exercises to help prevent chest infections, which are a possible complication associated with this kind of bowel surgery.
A full recovery can take up to 12 weeks. You will need to take it easy and should expect to tire easily to begin with. Follow your surgeon’s advice about strenuous exercise, lifting and driving.
On rare occasions, complications following bowel cancer surgery can occur.
Complications specific to bowel surgery include damage to other organs and structures in the abdomen, such as the stomach, although this is rare. The nerves responsible for sexual function may be damaged.
Serious complications of bowel surgery, including death, do occur.
This risk is small, and is usually lower than the risk to life if surgery is not carried out.
Your consultant will talk to you about the possible risks and complications of having this procedure and how they apply to you.
After you’ve left hospital, we’re still here when you need us.
After bowel cancer surgery, we will provide you with all the appropriate medication, advice on what to do and not to do, and follow-up support.
Typically your consultant will want to see you after your treatment to see how you’re doing.
A follow up appointment will be made for you before you leave the hospital.
If you have any questions or concerns about your recovery you can call and speak to a member of the nursing team at any time, please call 01424 757459.
At Sussex Premier Health, your procedure will be performed by your consultant surgeon.
Our self-pay team will be able to give you a guide price for the surgery you require.
To speak to a member of our self pay team today, call 01424 757455.
Speak to a member of our team
01424 757400 info@sussexpremierhealth.com