If you are recommended to undergo surgery for your colon resection, you may have many questions about your postoperative recovery. On average, patients stay in the hospital for about 5 to 7 days. This can be either shorter or longer depending on various factors including your exact operation, how much pain you are having and how well you are eating and drinking after surgery. You will then need a few weeks to recover after leaving the hospital. Most patients will feel back to normal in about one month.
It is recommended that you get out of bed and walk the day after your surgery. You will usually be given clear liquids within one day of surgery, and given food over the next few days depending on how you are feeling. It is often recommended that you stay on a low-fiber diet (no raw fruits and vegetables) for a few weeks after surgery.
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