How to Recover From Colon Cancer Surgery

According to information from the Mayo Clinic, colon cancer is cancer that can affect either the rectum or the large intestine. Regardless of the affected area, symptoms include the presence of blood in the stool, pain, gas, bloating, and weight loss. Surgery is one possible option for treating colon cancer, removing a section of the large intestine and reconnecting the two remaining ends (where possible). Recovery from surgery is a long process, but it can be made easier with a few simple steps.

Instructions

Recovering From Colon Cancer Surgery

• 1

  Follow your doctor's dieting instructions to the letter. According to information from the American Cancer Society, this will generally follow a progression from a clear liquid diet to some soft solid foods, back to a regular diet. This is designed to give your digestive tract time to recover from the surgery before being bombarded with a full diet, so be patient and endure the restrictive diets, knowing that your body is benefiting from your abstention.

• 2

  Follow a nutritious diet once you are cleared to begin eating ordinary menu items. According to the ACS, this means eating a diet that is rich in protein (to provide your body with the building blocks to repair tissue) along with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to give your body the nutrients it needs to bounce back from the rigors of surgery. Avoid any processed foods or those that are high in fat or sugar.

• 3

  Begin a light exercise plan as soon as you receive the go-ahead from your physician. Engaging in around 30 minutes of exercise on most days of the week can help to stimulate your immune system, preventing colon cancer from returning or helping your body to crank up its defenses to continue fighting against existing cancer. You need not go to extremes to cull the benefits of exercise--simple brisk walking will suffice.