How to say it

yer-uh-TEHR-oh-sig-moy-DAHS-tuh-mee

Getting ready for surgery

Prepare for the surgery as you’ve been told. In addition:

• Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines you take. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, herbs, and other supplements. It also includes any blood thinners, such as warfarin, clopidogrel, or daily aspirin. You may need to stop taking some or all of them before surgery.

• Follow any directions you are given for not eating or drinking before surgery. If you have been directed to take medicines, take them with a small sip of water.

• If you have been told to, prepare your bowel for surgery (called bowel prep). This process begins 1 to 2 days before the surgery. Your provider may tell you to limit your diet to clear liquids. You may also be asked to take laxatives or to give yourself an enema. Follow all directions you are given.

The day of surgery

The surgery takes about 3 to 4 hours. Afterward, you will stay in the hospital for 1 to 3 nights.

Before the surgery begins

• An IV (intravenous) line is placed in a vein in your arm or hand. This supplies fluids and medicines (such as antibiotics).

• You may be given medicine to prevent blood clots.

• To keep you pain-free during the surgery, you’re given general anesthesia. This medicine puts you in a deep sleep-like state through the surgery. A tube may be inserted into your throat to help you breathe.

• You may have an epidural to help control pain after surgery. A small tube is inserted into your back to deliver pain medicine that numbs the lower body. Talk with your provider, anesthesiologist, or nurse anesthetist about this choice.

During the surgery:

• A cut (incision) is made in the lower belly (abdomen). This is often from the bellybutton to the pubic bone.

• Incisions are made in part of the lower colon. The colon is folded into a U shape and the edges are stitched together with stitches (sutures). This makes a pouch large enough to hold both pee and poop.

• A small hole is cut into this part of the colon. A ureter is put into the hole. It is then secured to the colon with stitches.

• A thin tube (stent) may be placed in the ureter as it heals. The stent helps widen the ureter so pee can flow through it correctly.

• The same procedure is done on a nearby part of the colon with the second ureter.

• When the surgery is complete, the incisions are closed with stitches, staples, or surgical glue.

• A tube is put into the rectum to carry pee and poop from the body until healing is complete.

Recovering in the hospital

After the surgery, you will be taken to a recovery room. Here you’ll wake up from the anesthesia. You may feel sleepy and nauseated. If a breathing tube was used, your throat may be sore at first. When you are ready, you will be taken to your hospital room. While in the hospital:

• You will be given medicine to manage pain. Let your healthcare providers know if your pain is not controlled.

• You’ll first receive IV fluids. In a day or so, you’ll start on a liquid diet. You’ll then slowly return to a normal diet.

• As soon as you’re able, you’ll get up and walk.

• You’ll be taught coughing and breathing methods to help keep your lungs clear and prevent pneumonia.

• The stents in your ureters and the tube in your rectum will likely be removed while you’re in the hospital. If not, you’ll be shown how to care for them at home.

Recovering at home

After your hospital stay, you will be released to an adult family member or friend. Have someone stay with you for the next few days, to help care for you. Recovery time varies for each person. Your healthcare provider will tell you when you can go back to your normal routine. Until then, follow the directions you have been given. Make sure to:

• Take all medicines as directed.

• Care for incisions as directed. If you went home with stents or tubes in place, take care of these as you were shown.

• Follow your provider’s guidelines for showering. Don't swim, take a bath, use a hot tub, or do other activities that cause the incision to be covered with water until the provider says it’s OK.

• Not do any heavy lifting or strenuous activities as directed.

• Not drive until your provider says it’s OK. Don’t drive if you’re taking medicines that make you drowsy or sleepy.

• Walk a few times each day. Increase your pace and distance as you feel able.

• Not strain to pass poop. If needed, take stool softeners as directed by your provider.

• Drink plenty of water. This helps prevent pee odor and fluid loss (dehydration). And follow any other dietary directions you’re given.

When to call your healthcare provider

Call your healthcare provider right away if any of these occur:

• Fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or as advised by your provider

• Symptoms of infection at an incision site (such as increased redness or swelling, warmth, pain that gets worse, or bad-smelling drainage)

• Low back pain

• Problems passing pee or poop

• A lot of blood in your pee and poop (some blood is normal)

• Pain that can’t be controlled with medicines

• Nausea or vomiting that won’t go away

• Leg pain or swelling

Call 911

Call 911 if you have:

• Chest pain

• Trouble breathing

Follow-up care

You’ll have follow-up visits so your healthcare provider can check how well you’re healing. Stitches, staples, stents, and tubes will be removed as needed. You and your provider can discuss any further treatment you may need.

Risks and possible complications

All procedures have some risk. Possible risks of this procedure include:

• Bleeding (you may need a transfusion)

• Infection

• Blood clots

• Greater risk for colon cancer

• Leaking pee at the site of the bowel incisions

• Abnormal levels of minerals in the blood (you may need lifelong medicine)

• Pee backing up into the kidneys

• Stones in the kidneys or ureters

• Damage to the kidneys, ureters, or other nearby organs

• Problems passing pee, poop, or both

• Risks of anesthesia (the anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist will discuss these with you)