Small bowel resection

Need to know

• What happens during surgery? icon plus

  The operation will be performed under general anaesthetic, meaning you will be asleep for the duration of it. It is most commonly performed laparoscopically (keyhole surgery). Your consultant will locate the diseased part of your small intestine and remove it. The remaining parts of the intestine will then be stitched together before closing the incisions using small stitches. The surgery usually takes between one and two hours in theatre.

• How to prepare icon plus

  Your consultant will let you know how best to prepare for your procedure.

• After surgery icon plus

  You will be discharged after five to seven days in hospital, depending on the rate of your recovery. It is not unusual to still have some pain after you have been discharged and you will have been discharged with pain relief medication.
  
  Ensure you try and eat a sensible diet with plenty of fluids, fresh fruit and vegetables. After you have had part of your bowel removed, it is not unusual for your motions to be looser than before and for you to need to open your bowels more frequently.