Surgeon Questions surgeon

How long is colon cancer surgery recovery?

I will have colon surgery for cancer. How long is colon cancer surgery recovery?

6 Answers

Hello, You are asking how long to expect recovery improvement following colon cancer surgery. The answer to this question depends on the location of cancer in the colon and the type of procedure that is planned. There are two methods used to resect (remove) cancer. One is the laparoscopic method which uses small incisions and scope to allow the surgeon to successfully resect cancer. The other is most commonly used and is the open approach. Usually, the laparoscopic approach results in fewer symptoms post-operatively due to the smaller incisions that are made. However, this approach depends on the location of the tumor and the experience of the surgeon.
Postoperatively one can expect pain and bowel dysfunction to be complications. One can expect to be hospitalized for two to four days following the surgery. Be sure to avoid lifting any weights or doing abdominal exercises for at least six weeks following surgery.
More information can be obtained online. www.healthgrades.com summarizes expected colon cancer surgeries and recovery options. Fewer complications can be expected if smoking and alcohol intake are avoided for several days prior to the surgery. More treatment may or may not be recommended to improve long-term outcomes depending on the findings at surgery. Good luck.
Hello, you are asking how long to expect recovery improvement following colon cancer surgery. The answer to this question depends on the location of cancer in the colon and the type of procedure that is planned. There are two methods used to resect (remove) cancer. One is the laparoscopic method which uses small incisions and scope to allow the surgeon to successfully resect cancer. The other is most commonly used and is the open approach. Usually, the laparoscopic approach results in fewer symptoms post-operatively due to the smaller incisions that are made. However, this approach depends on the location of the tumor and the experience of the surgeon.
Postoperatively one can expect pain and bowel dysfunction to be complications. One can expect to be hospitalized for two to four days following the surgery. Be sure to avoid lifting any weights or doing abdominal exercises for at least six weeks following surgery.
More information can be obtained online. www.healthgrades.com summarizes expected colon cancer surgeries and recovery options. Fewer complications can be expected if smoking and alcohol intake are avoided for several days prior to the surgery. More treatment may or may not be recommended to improve long-term outcomes depending on the findings at surgery. Good luck.
Colon cancer surgery can be traditionally opened or more often is a minimally invasive laparoscopic. Essentially, the recovery time is 1 to 3 months. You will be up and walking around the day after surgery and he will be able to sit in a chair and eat a meal after a few days. Bowel function should return within 3 to 5 days and you should be off of your pain medications in a couple of weeks. He will be up and around daily, but full recovery is different for everyone. If you are a roofer and you do concrete work as well, then recovery can be longer such as 2 to 3 months, while if you do a desk job, you could be back to work in two weeks.


10 to 14 days for light work 8 to 10lbs letting. You usually recover in 6 weeks.
3-6 months up to 1 year.
Depends. A complete return to baseline may be 4-8 weeks depending on if you an open operation or a laparoscopic one. It may also depend if you require further treatment (such as chemotherapy) after surgery.