What to Expect After Surgery for Crohn's Disease

Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disease that's characterized by diarrhea, abdominal pain, and blood in the stool. Surgery is necessary at some point in 75 percent of Crohn's cases. What you should expect after surgery varies depending on what kind of surgery you have.

Strictureplasty

• According to the Mayo Clinic, strictureplasty is one of the most common surgeries performed on Crohn's disease patients. Strictureplasty involves widening some parts of the inflamed intestines. After a short hospital stay, your life will be relatively normal after this procedure, although you will keep taking medication for Crohn's disease.

Resection

• In some cases, surgeons remove part of the intestines. This type of surgery is called resection and may bring several years of relief from symptoms. Hospital stays are usually up to one week. A liquid diet is necessary for a few days afterward.

Colectomy

• Surgeons remove the entire colon, or large intestine, in a procedure called a colectomy. They connect the rectum to the small intestine, which allows relatively normal bowel movements after recovery. Hospital stays are a week or less, and you will be on a liquid IV diet for a couple of days.

Proctocolectomy

• Surgeons perform a proctocolectomy by removing both the colon and rectum. Hospital stays range from a couple of days to two weeks. You'll have to wear an external bag called an ostomy bag after surgery. You will have to change it periodically, and it's worn under your clothes so others won't know you have it.

Disease Recurrence

• The Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America reports about half of all adult Crohn's patients who undergo surgery will suffer a recurrence within five years. Doctors prescribe medications like immunomodulators or 5-ASA agents to reduce the risk of recurrence.