Colon Resection
This plan of care will give you an idea of what to expect during your stay. After your colon surgery, many people will be involved with your care. Talk with the healthcare team about
any questions or concerns.
Day of Surgery
IV & Medication

An IV (intravenous line) will be in place. Fluids and antibiotics will be given through the IV.

Your pain medication will be given by shots, or by a pump (PCA) through the IV. It may also be given by a pump through a catheter (thoracic epidural catheter) placed into the space next to your spinal cord in the mid-back.

You will be asked to rate your pain on a scale of 0 - 10. Zero means no pain and ten means the worst possible pain. Using this scale helps the health care team to manage your pain.
Treatments

There may be an NG (nasogastric) tube down your nose into your stomach. It will be connected to suction to keep your stomach empty.

A dressing (bandage) will be on your lower abdomen. There may be drains near your incision. These will cause the dressing to be wet at times. The nurse will be checking and caring for your dressing.

You will be taught how to cough and how to do deep breathing exercises. These should be done at least every 2 hours while you are awake to prevent pneumonia. You will also be using a breathing device (incentive spirometer) to help you to take deep breaths.

A tube (Foley catheter) will be in your bladder to drain your urine.

Support stockings (TED hose) and pressure pumps may be on your legs to help the blood flow and prevent blood clots.
Diet

You will not be able to eat or drink for a few days. You will be given a small number of ice chips to help moisten your mouth.
Activity
 You will be helped to sit in a chair and walk a short distance several hours after you are in your room.
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First Three Days after Surgery

You will continue to receive pain medication by IV, PCA pump, or epidural catheter. You will be weaned to oral pain medication as the days progress.

Your dressing will be removed by the second day after surgery. The incision may be left uncovered.

The dressings on the drains will be changed as often as needed.

If you have an NG tube, it will remain in place until your stomach and intestines show signs of activity. These include a decrease in the amount of drainage from the NG tube, rumbling in the stomach, and passing gas.

It is important to keep doing the breathing exercises and using your incentive spirometer every 2 hours while you are awake to decrease your risk of pneumonia after surgery.

As you become more active, your doctor will order your Foley catheter removed.

We will help you to increase your activity level each day. This is to prevent blood clots in legs and to increase the activity of your intestines. You will be:

getting up in a chair at least three times a day
walking in the hall at least three times a day
increasing the distance you walk
Throughout your hospital stay, you will be taught about your care and treatments. Tell us your questions or concerns. A social worker/case manager can help you with special needs that you may have for going home.
Day Four to Day of Discharge

Your discharge date will depend upon your condition and your doctor’s order.

You will begin drinking clear liquids (water, Jell-O, broth, or clear soda). When your stomach is able to handle liquids well, your diet will be changed to regular food.

When you are drinking liquids, you will be able to take pain pills. Let us know when you need pain medication before it is at a level that you cannot handle.

It is important to increase your walking distance and your time spent out of bed. This is vital in getting your stomach and intestines active again as well as for your overall recovery.
Day of Discharge

Your discharge date will depend upon your condition and your doctor’s order.

You will receive discharge instructions from the health care team. Ask any questions that you have about your care and instructions for going home.
Rev.6/09
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©Mount Carmel 2009
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