Stage | Activities and expectations |
---|---|
Right after surgery (first few days) |
- Close monitoring by doctors and nurses. - Medication to manage pain. - You are encouraged to walk around to improve blood flow and speed recovery. - Start with ice chips or clear liquids, gradually moving to solid foods. Proper nutrition is essential for healing. |
First 2 weeks at home |
- Increase your movement with short walks to begin conditioning the body towards recovery. - Keep the surgery site clean and dry, and watch for signs of infection. - Gradually reduce pain medications to reduce dependence and prime the body to a stable state. - Practice small, frequent meals to manage nausea and bloating. - Use stool softeners or fibre supplements if needed for bowel movements. |
3 to 6 weeks after surgery |
- Gradually increase physical activity, but avoid heavy lifting. - Patients can usually resume activities such as driving once comfortable and off strong pain medications. - Visits with the surgeon may be necessary to monitor recovery and address any concerns. |
Beyond 6 weeks (long-term recovery) |
- Return to work and normal activities within 4-6 weeks. - Continue a balanced diet with plenty of fibre, and consuming lots of water. - Monitor for persistent pain, fever, or unusual bowel changes; contact a doctor if needed. - Checkups will be arranged as deemed necessary. |
Robotic colorectal surgery usually takes between 3 to 5 hours. The exact time can depend on how complicated the case is. Things like the type of surgery, the patient's anatomy, and any unexpected issues during the procedure can affect the duration.
Although robotic colorectal surgery generally has fewer complications than traditional open surgery, there are still some risks. These include reactions to anaesthesia, bleeding and infection.
Robotic colorectal surgery isn’t suitable for everyone. Factors like the patient's overall health, the stage and location of the colorectal disease, any previous abdominal surgeries, and specific anatomical details all play a role in determining if this approach is right. Your surgeon will assess your situation to decide the best surgical method for you.