Your surgery can done done in 2 ways:
Laparoscopic or robotic (minimally invasive)
During laparoscopic surgery, the doctor:
a. Makes 4 to 6 small incisions (cuts) in your abdomen
b. Uses instruments and a camera to loosen (free-up) the diseased bowel and remove it
c. Sews or staples the healthy ends of your bowel back together or makes a stoma, where the bowel comes out of the abdominal wall
Open
During open surgery, the doctor:
a. Makes a 4 to 8 inch cut in your abdomen
b. Removes the diseased bowel
c. Sews the healthy ends of your bowel back together or makes a stoma
Before your colorectal surgery
Clinic
You will have an appointment with one of the colorectal surgeons in the Digestive Health Clinic at either University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics or Iowa River Landing.
A plan of care will be made after the doctor goes over your medical history and talks with you. This information will help you through the surgery process if that is the plan of care you chose.
Our team includes:
- Surgeons
- Nurse practitioners
- Physician assistants
- Resident physicians
- Nurses
- Ostomy nurses/wound nurses
During your clinic visit you will:
- Answer questions about your medical history
- Have a physical exam
- Sign the surgical consent forms
- Have labs drawn if needed
- Schedule radiology tests if needed, such as a:
- Chest X-ray
- CT scan
- MRI
- Ultrasound
- Talk about the need to be seen by a heart, lung, or anemia specialist
- Make an appointment for anesthesia if needed
- You may also have a flexibile sigmoidoscopy if you have a rectal tumor. This helps us see this tumor. This is done in the clinic by your surgeon.
You will also get:
- Instructions about how to get ready for surgery
- Eating and drinking guidelines before surgery
- Instructions if you are on blood thinners or diabetic
- Prescriptions for bowel cleansing, if needed
- Special antibacterial soap to shower with on the night before and morning of surgery