Bowel surgery
Your guide to bowel surgery at Providence Health Care.
Overview
For many people living with colorectal diseases, there may come a time when you need surgery or a procedure in hospital.
The Providence Health Care colorectal team at St. Paul’s Hospital provides complete care for people living in B.C. This includes some of the most complex and innovative surgeries available world-wide. Our patients come to St. Paul's Hospital from all over BC.
We know that this can be a stressful time for both you and your loved ones. Our caring team of skilled health care providers and supporting staff are here to help you.
Preparing for the surgery
Your surgeon will tell you if bowel surgery is necessary.
It is possible the surgeon will need to create a new opening for your bowel. The new opening will be located on your abdomen. This is called an ‘ostomy’ or a ‘stoma’.
If you do have an ostomy, some reading and practice before your surgery will help you get used to it. For details on what you can do, see the section below called “Getting ready for an ostomy.”
Before your Pre-Admission Clinic visit
Your surgeon will tell you which type of ostomy you will receive.
Please select the appropriate ostomy below and complete the recommended education. You will watch some short videos and read an educational booklet. If you do not know the type of ostomy that will be constructed on your abdomen, follow the ileostomy information provided. We will clarify everything when you come to the Pre-Admission Clinic.
Pre-Admission Clinic visit
Before your surgery, you will meet with an Ostomy Nurse at the Pre-Admission Clinic. We will answer your questions and provide some basic teaching.
The Ostomy Nurse will also place a mark on your abdomen where your stoma will be placed by the surgeon. You will go home with a pouch applied to your abdomen. You can practice opening and closing the bottom and emptying the pouch before coming to the hospital.
After your surgery, the Ostomy Nurse will teach you how to change your appliance (also called a pouch), help with ordering your supplies, and arrange follow up for you.
If you have questions before coming to the hospital, please contact the Providence Health Ostomy Nurses (for St. Paul's Hospital and Mount St. Joseph's Hospital) at the following:
Getting ready for an ostomy
Ileostomy & Colostomy
This educational booklet is a quick resource for you and will be used after surgery to teach you and to be used as an ongoing resource. It covers a variety of topics. If you have questions about skin irritation, supplies, discharge planning, etc. they should be covered in this booklet. You will be given a printed copy at the Pre-Admission Clinic.
Urostomy
This educational booklet is a quick resource for you and will be used after surgery to teach you and to be used as an ongoing resource. It covers a variety of topics. If you have questions about skin irritation, supplies, discharge planning, etc. they should be covered in this booklet. You will be given a printed copy at the Pre-Admission Clinic.
Pelvic pouch
This booklet was written to help parents understand all the ins and outs of having a pelvic pouch procedure. This includes understanding the surgery and then what happens in the hospital and afterward.
After the surgery
Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) is a system of treatments that helps you to recover from surgery faster. You will get out of bed soon after surgery and start eating and drinking. You will also get a better combination of pain medication that will help manage your pain. This will help you return home sooner and feel better faster.
There are no added risks to using an ERAS approach, so you can be confident that you are getting the best care possible with ERAS.
(Intermountain Healthcare, 2014)
Start by watching this video on ERAS. Then, read through the resource below.
Education & resources
Patient education
Find this service near you
You may be asked to visit one or more clinics to prepare for surgery. Your surgeon will provide you with specific information, but you can learn more about our clinics here:
