It is normal to feel tired after an operation, especially when you first get home, but it is important to be aware that you can develop problems due to immobility, even after discharge, such as clots in your legs. Do not take to your bed! Try to get up and dressed each morning. Take a nap during the afternoon if required. Increase your activities gradually, do a little more each day. Accept offers of help with housework, shopping or jobs around the house.
We advise you not to over stretch your abdominal muscles or lift heavy, awkward and large objects for six weeks. If you participate in sport or exercise you may gradually resume these after this period. Listen to your body, it will soon let you know if you are overdoing things! There is no reason why you cannot resume work or social activities when you feel well enough.
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Discharge Information Booklet (143KB)
Driving
You need to check your car insurance before you start driving. You should be able to perform an emergency stop without difficulty or pain, and have no lapses in concentration.
Holidays
There is no reason why you cannot go on holiday, but it is advisable to delay until after your first check up, usually 2-8 weeks following your discharge.
Food
There are no restrictions on what you can eat and drink. Alcohol in moderation may be allowed but it may need to be restricted if you are taking certain medication. Beer, lager and fizzy drinks can produce excess wind and loose motions. We advise a well balanced diet. If your appetite is poor you should try to eat a little and often, gradually reintroducing fruit and vegetables as it recovers. If you have been seen by the hospital dietician during your stay continue to follow the advice. Ensure you drink plenty of fluids, especially water, 4-5 pints a day.
Bowels
Your bowels / stoma may be erratic initially and this may continue for up to twelve months. THIS IS NORMAL. However, if you are concerned about either chronic constipation or diarrhoea please contact the colorectal nursing team for further advice.
Pain and discomfort
How much pain you feel varies from person to person. You may be given painkillers to take home. These should be taken regularly until the pain goes away. Painkillers may also prevent you from becoming stiff and enable you to be a little more active. It is normal to feel aches and twinges though these gradually wear off. If you are concerned speak to your GP or colorectal nurse.
Your wound may have healed by the time you are ready for discharge. If you have stitches or clips they are usually removed ten days after your operation, which may be following discharge. The ward nurses should identify any problem with wound care prior to your discharge. They will arrange for a District nurse to visit if necessary. Your wound is often bruised and swollen for the first few weeks. It may also feel hard and firm because of the stitches in the deep tissue, but after a few weeks this will soften. If you are concerned about your wound, for instance if it becomes red or begins to ooze, contact your GP or practice nurse.
Bathing
Unless you have been advised otherwise, you may have a bath or shower as normal, even if you have stitches. Pat the wound dry and avoid using talcum powder on the wound site before stitches are removed.
Sexual activities
Once you have recovered from your operation there is no medical reason why you cannot resume a normal sex life. Occasionally, operations that involve the anus or rectum can cause damage to nerves connected to your sexual organs. Men may not be able to maintain an erection, and may have problems with ejaculation. Women may suffer problems, such as pain during intercourse.
If you are concerned that the surgery you have had may affect your personal sexual practice, please discuss it with your colorectal nurse, surgeon or G.P.
Follow up
Providing the final results, are available prior to your discharge, the question as to whether you require any further treatment or tests will have been discussed with you.
An appointment will be made for you on discharge home for you to be reviewed in the hospital outpatient clinic by one of the Colorectal team, when outstanding issues and your follow up programme will be discussed with you. Each patient has an individualised follow up plan, dependant on the outcome of his or her surgery.
Going home is tiring. For the first few weeks, you may feel tired, weak and low, which is normal. However, if after this period you do not feel you are making progress please contact the colorectal team.
Support Groups
More information about support groups for bowel cancer patients is available on our Support Groups page.