Colon Resection: What It Involves and What Recovery Looks Like

By Dr. Rashna Ginwalla, Clearwater Advanced Surgical Associates, LLC

A colon resection — also called a colectomy — involves removing a diseased or damaged section of the large intestine and reconnecting the healthy ends. I perform this surgery for colon cancer, diverticular disease, inflammatory bowel disease, polyps that can't be removed by other means, and other conditions affecting the colon.

What the surgery involves

The section removed depends on where the problem is: right colon, transverse colon, left colon, sigmoid (lower left), the upper rectum, or in some cases most of the colon. I perform most colon resections robotically — through small incisions with a camera — though some cases require an open approach. Most patients stay in the hospital three to five days.

In some situations, I create a temporary or permanent ostomy — a surgical opening in the abdominal wall that allows stool to exit into a collection pouch. If this is a possibility for your case, we'll discuss it thoroughly before surgery. Temporary ostomies are typically reversed in a planned procedure three to six months later.

What recovery looks like

Your bowel takes time to wake up. After colon surgery, the intestine temporarily stops moving — this is normal and expected. You may not pass gas or have a bowel movement for two to five days. Walking helps move things along.

Bowel habits will change. In the first one to three months, you may have more frequent and looser stools, urgency, or unpredictable patterns. This settles gradually. Most patients reach a stable new rhythm by three to twelve months. Right colectomy patients may have somewhat looser stools long-term since that portion of the colon plays a major role in water absorption.

Diet progression matters. You'll start on clear liquids in the hospital and advance slowly. The key phase is a low-fiber, low-residue diet for roughly the first six weeks — white rice, white bread, cooked vegetables without skins, lean proteins — to reduce bulk passing through the healing connection. After that, you gradually reintroduce higher-fiber foods one at a time.

Hydration is essential. With less colon to absorb water, you can dehydrate faster than usual. Aim for eight to ten glasses of water a day, especially in the first few months.

Activity. No lifting over ten pounds for the first two weeks; light desk work typically by four to six weeks; full activity clearance at your follow-up, usually around six to eight weeks.

If you had surgery for cancer, I'll review pathology results with you at follow-up and discuss next steps, including whether additional treatment is recommended.

When should you come see me?

If you've been diagnosed with colon cancer, diverticular disease, inflammatory bowel disease, or polyps that require surgical evaluation, or if you have symptoms like rectal bleeding, significant changes in bowel habits, or abdominal pain that hasn't been explained, come in. We'll look at your imaging and history together and talk through what the right path is.

Call the office at (208) 985-6179, or request an appointment through the patient portal.

This page is a summary. After your consultation, I'll provide you with a detailed packet covering pre-operative preparation, the day of surgery, and post-operative care.