Colon Surgery
Experienced surgical care, focused on your comfort and recovery.
The large intestine (colon) is roughly four to six feet long and helps form stool, absorb water, and pass waste into the rectum. When disease affects the colon, most commonly tumors (benign or cancerous) or diverticulitis, surgery may be recommended. Diverticulitis can cause pain and blood in the stool; colon cancer may also present with bleeding. Surgical Associates of WNY (SAWNY) will evaluate your symptoms, imaging, and overall health to determine if colon surgery, and occasionally liver surgery, is the right path.
Colonoscopies
A colonoscopy is typically the first step in diagnosing colon problems. During this outpatient test, the doctor guides a long, flexible tube into the colon to examine it from the inside. You’re given medication to make you drowsy for comfort. Routine screening generally begins around age 50 (earlier if personal or family history suggests), and colonoscopy may also be performed for symptoms like rectal bleeding or changes in bowel habits. Small polyps can sometimes be removed during the exam; larger, numerous, or cancerous growths usually require a planned colon surgery.
What To Expect From Surgery
In many cases, colon surgery can be done laparoscopically through a few small incisions using a camera and specialized instruments, which often supports less pain, smaller scars, and a quicker recovery. Depending on the location and severity of the disease, only a section of the colon may need removal, and the remaining ends are reconnected so your digestive tract can heal and resume normal function. Preparation is similar to a colonoscopy (a bowel cleanse). After surgery, most patients spend several days in the hospital; as bowel function returns, your surgeon will guide diet advancement, activity, and follow-up so you know what to expect at every step.
Personalized Care Every Step of the Way
You deserve clear answers, attentive care, and a plan that respects your goals. If you’re ready to talk through options for diagnosis and treatment, schedule your visit. Surgical Associates of WNY will help you find the right care for you.