5 Tips to Ease Your Recovery After Colorectal Surgery

You’re dealing with a colorectal disease, and surgery is turning out to be the next logical step in your journey. Each year in the United States, more than 300,000 people find themselves in the same boat and undergo colorectal surgery, which is no small undertaking.

We assure you that you’re in highly skilled and capable hands with the team of experienced colorectal surgeons here at Fairfax Colon & Rectal Surgery. As our name suggests, we specialize in colorectal surgeries for a wide range of conditions.

We’ve learned a good deal along the way, some of which we want to share with you here. More specifically, we want to review some great strategies for easing your recovery.

1. Organize the home front ahead of time

Before your surgery, it’s a great idea to do all that you can to prepare your home for your recovery.

For example, after your surgery, you will likely be moving gingerly, and you want to avoid anything that might set you back, such as falling. To that end, remove any loose bath mats that are tripping hazards (use rubber mats with more grip, instead). It might also be a good idea to put a chair in your shower for easier bathing.

Elsewhere in the house, ensure everything is well lit and that loose wires are tucked away. 

You might also set up a comfortable recovery area in your bedroom or living room where you have easy access to everything you need.

1. Prepare meals in advance

After most colorectal surgeries, there will be dietary changes, so we’d like you to familiarize yourself with those beforehand. In fact, you might even start instituting those changes now so that you’re better used to the new diet.

It’s also an excellent practice to prepare as many meals as you can before your surgery, which takes one less hassle out of your recovery equation.

1. Enlist help

Recovery from colorectal surgery can take weeks, so make sure you’ve got all the help you need in advance. Whether it’s childcare, transportation, or work coverage, don’t hesitate to call on friends, family, and colleagues to lend a hand during your recovery — we’re sure they’d love to help.

1. Moving after surgery

It used to be that surgeons recommended a good amount of bed rest after surgery, but we now know that movement is a better way to heal. 

While you’re still in the hospital (the average hospital stay is 6.5 days after colon surgery), staff will encourage you to move around, and we want you to continue that at home.

Movement is incredibly important after any surgery to get healing resources flowing and prevent blood clots. It’s even more critical after colorectal surgery because movement aids digestion and prevents gas buildup, as well as constipation.

We’re not talking about going out for a run, but short walks around the neighborhood are great ways to get some movement in.

1. Call us if you have questions or concerns

Our team is invested in your success, so please don’t hesitate to call us with any questions you might have during your recovery. And if you’re on the fence about whether to contact us, err on the side of caution and get in touch. 

If you have any questions now about your recovery after colorectal surgery, we invite you to contact our office in Fairfax, Virginia, at 703-280-2841 at your convenience.