Colon surgery: Types, recovery, and financial help Health ConditionsHealth ConditionsAlzheimer's & DementiaAnxietyArthritisAsthma & AllergiesBreast CancerCancerCardiovascular HealthCOVID-19Dermatology & SkincareDiabetesEnvironment & SustainabilityExercise & FitnessEye HealthHeadache & MigraineHealth EquityHIV & AIDSHuman BiologyInflammatory Bowel DiseaseLeukemiaLGBTQIA+Men's HealthMental HealthMultiple Sclerosis (MS)NutritionParkinson's DiseasePsoriasisSexual HealthWomen's HealthDiscoverNewsLatest NewsOriginal SeriesMedical MythsHonest NutritionThrough My EyesNew Normal HealthPodcastsHow to understand chronic painWhat is behind vaccine hesitancy?The amazing story of hepatitis C, from discovery to cureNew directions in dementia researchCan psychedelics rewire a depressed, anxious brain?Why climate change matters for human healthToolsGeneral HealthDrugs A-ZHealth HubsHealth ToolsBMI Calculators and ChartsBlood Pressure Chart: Ranges and GuideBreast Cancer: Self-Examination GuideSleep CalculatorHealth ProductsAffordable Therapy OptionsBlood Pressure MonitorsDiabetic SuppliesFitness TrackersHome GymsGreen Cleaning ProductsHow to Shop for CBDQuizzesRA Myths vs FactsType 2 Diabetes: Managing Blood SugarAnkylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or FictionConnectAbout Medical News TodayWho We AreOur Editorial ProcessContent IntegrityConscious LanguageNewslettersSign UpFollow UsMedical News TodayHealth ConditionsDiscoverToolsConnectSubscribe What are some types of colon surgery Medically reviewed by Saurabh Sethi, M.D., MPH — By Jenna Fletcher on August 22, 2022Colon surgery includes several procedures that help with issues affecting the colon. It usually involves removing part or all of the colon. The colon is another name for the large intestine. It helps in the digestion process, removing nutrients and preparing solid waste for removal from the body. Colon surgery involves removing all or part of the colon. The procedure typically requires a hospital stay and several weeks to recover. This article reviews colon surgery, what to expect from different types of this surgery, the outlook after the procedure, and more. Why might a person need colon surgery Share on PinterestSanti Nuñez/StocksyA doctor may recommend colon surgery for several conditions affecting this part of the body. The colon is the longest part of the large intestine. It is responsible for helping remove some liquid, electrolytes, and nutrients before forming the solid waste into stool and releasing it from the body. Doctors may perform colon surgery to help correct an issue with the colon. Reasons for surgery include:colon cancerdiverticulitisto remove stool blockageinflammatory bowel disease (IBD)to treat a wound or infection Below are some common types of colon surgery. Right hemicolectomy A right hemicolectomy is one of two types of hemicolectomies. A hemicolectomy is a surgery that aims to remove a portion of the large intestine or colon. Ducting a right hemicolectomy, the surgeon removes the ascending colon, the part of the colon that attaches to the end of the small intestine. Once they remove it, the surgeon will attach the small intestine to the transverse colon, the part that goes across the abdomen. A doctor may recommend a right hemicolectomy for conditions affecting that portion of the large intestine. These conditions may include:trauma or injury diverticulitiscancer IBDpolyps, which are growths that may become cancerous This surgery is common for treating colon cancer. Left hemicolectomy Doctors use left hemicolectomies primarily for treating colon cancer. They may also recommend it for other conditions, including IBD, diverticulitis, trauma, or polyp removal. During a left hemicolectomy, a surgeon removes the descending colon — the part of the colon attached to the rectum. The surgeon will then attach the transverse colon directly to the rectum. Learn more about hemicolectomy here. Subtotal colectomy A subtotal colectomy is also known as a partial colectomy or segmental resection that removes only a portion of the colon. During the procedure, a surgeon will remove between one-quarter to one-third of the colon and then reattach the severed ends. The surgeon will remove the affected section of the colon. They may recommend its use for cancer, IBD, trauma, polyps, or diverticulitis. Learn more about colectomy here. Low anterior resection Lower anterior resection is a type of surgery to remove rectal cancer. During the procedure, the surgeon will remove the part of the rectum containing the cancer. They will then attach the end of the large intestine to the remaining section of the rectum to allow for regular bowel movements. Abdominal perineal resection An abdominal perineal resection is a surgery to remove rectal or anal cancer. During the procedure, the surgeon will remove:the rectumthe anusthe lower part of the colon Since the surgeon will remove the anus and rectum, they will bring the lower part of the colon outside of the body and attach a pouch to it. This is known as a colostomy. The pouch will collect stool, and a person can conceal it underneath clothing. A member of the care team will review how to care for the colostomy and explain everything a person needs to know about it. Learn more about colostomy here. How to prepare for colon surgery A person should follow the doctor’s instructions before their procedure. They will advise when a person should:discontinue food or drinkstop drinking or smokingstop medications Before surgery, an individual should review all their medications with their doctor. They can better advise when and if to stop taking them leading up to the surgery. The healthcare facility should provide instructions about the procedure. They will likely include information such as:when to arrivethe time of the procedurethe recommended hospital stayspecific instructions for what to do in the days and weeks leading up to the surgery A person should use the appointments leading up to the surgery to ask any questions they may have. This can help ease concerns and provide as much information as possible about what to expect. Individuals should arrange for transportation to and from the hospital. Depending on the surgery, they should anticipate a hospital stay of a few days while they recover. They should consider packing an overnight bag with a change of clothes, toothbrush, and other items they may want in the hospital. Recovering from colon surgery Immediately following the procedure, a person will usually need to recover in the hospital for a few days. During this time, the healthcare team will:provide medications to help ease paincheck for infectionsmonitor the person’s overall health The healthcare team should provide detailed instructions on follow-up care, which may include:how to care for the woundcaring for the colostomywhich medications to take and whenexercise or foods to include or avoidwhen to return to typical activities A person should anticipate staying 2–4 days in the hospital and taking several weeks to recover. Outlook after colon surgery Several factors can affect a person’s outlook following colon surgery. They include:the type of procedurethe condition they havetheir age their overall health Surgeons can perform some surgeries laparoscopically, which refers to using “keyhole” surgery. This method generally leads to quicker recovery times because the incisions are far smaller. All surgeries carry risks such as adverse reactions to anesthetic medications. Although colon surgeries differ, they carry similar risks. For example, the risks of colostomy include: bleeding during surgeryorgan damageinfectionnarrowing of the colostomy openingscar tissue that can cause a blockage in the intestinesskin irritationwound openingdeveloping a hernia at the incision site A person should talk about the risks of surgery with a doctor before the procedure. Paying for surgery Surgery is often an expensive treatment option. For example, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the total cost of treating newly diagnosed colorectal cancer is between $40,000 and $80,000, depending on the cancer stage. Surgery constitutes a significant portion of the cost. While insurance and Medicare may assist, they may not always be enough to fully help a person pay for their surgery. However, some nonprofit organizations may help financially. Some options include:Cancer Care Financial Assistance (1.800.813.4673): May be able to provide some limited financial assistance for cancer-related costs such as child care or transportation.Patient Advocate Foundation (1.800.532.5274): May provide help with a variety of treatment and patient costs.HealthWell Foundation (1.800.675.8416): May provide money to help with patient costs.Needy Meds (1.800.503.6897): May be able to provide help with the cost of medications. Medicine Assistance Tool: A search tool to help a person find assistance programs.Advocacy Connector: Allows searches for localfinancial assistance. Summary Colon surgery usually involves removing part or all of the colon. Surgeries may help treat colon cancer, rectal cancer, anal cancer, diverticulitis, polyps, and other conditions that affect the colon. Recovery can take several weeks, and the outlook will vary according to the procedure, a person’s age and health, and the condition it is treating. People may be eligible for financial assistance to pay for colon surgery. Last medically reviewed on August 22, 2022Colorectal CancerSurgeryUlcerative ColitisCrohn's / IBDMedically reviewed by Saurabh Sethi, M.D., MPH — By Jenna Fletcher on August 22, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? New clues arise Related CoverageWhat to know about diverticulitis surgeryMedically reviewed by Saurabh Sethi, M.D., MPH Diverticulitis occurs when small pockets in the large intestine become infected, causing pain and other symptoms. It can be severe and require surgery,READ MOREColorectal cancer: What you need to know Here, learn about colorectal cancer in detail, including its symptoms, treatments, life expectancies by stage, and steps for prevention.READ MOREWhat are the different types of surgery for colorectal cancer? There are different kinds of surgery for colorectal cancer. Learn about the different types and the financial help available here.READ MOREWhat you should know about carcinogensMedically reviewed by Jenneh Rishe, RN A carcinogen is any substance or agent that can cause cancer. Learn more about the different types of carcinogens, examples, and more. READ MOREWhat to know about colorectal surgeons A colon doctor, or colorectal surgeon, is a medical professional who specializes in diagnosing and treating medical conditions related to the…READ MORE