Throughout your life, there may be issues that you run into with your colon. This could be an obstruction in the bowel, colon cancer, Crohn’s disease, or ulcerative colitis. When one of these issues is affecting your ability to function normally and feel comfortable, you may need to talk to your doctor about the possibility of a colectomy. A colectomy is a procedure that removes either part of or the entire colon. Dr. Lisa Parker and Dr. Amir Damadi at Providence Colorectal in Southfield, Novi, Livonia, and Howell, MI, can explain what a colectomy is and when it may be necessary.
What is a Colectomy?
There are different classifications for a colectomy from your doctor in Southfield, MI. The types of colectomies include:
- Total colectomy- Removing the entire colon
- Partial colectomy- Removing part of the colon
- Hemicolectomy- Removing the left or right section of the colon
- Proctocolectomy- Removing the colon and the rectum
A colectomy can be performed with an open technique, laparoscopically, or robotically. The type of procedure will depend on what the reason for your colectomy is and how severe the issue is. Both laparoscopic and robotic procedures are minimally invasive because only small incisions are needed. Recovery time can be anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks and it’s incredibly important to follow all instructions from your gastroenterologist.
Your gastroenterologist may combine laparoscopic and robotic surgery for a precise technique. Once the surgery is over and you’ve recovered, you may find that you’re living with less pain and that you can feel comfortable throughout the day without pain from certain colon issues.
Contact Your Gastroenterologist Today
Find out if a colectomy is needed for you. Contact Dr. Lisa Parker and Dr. Amir Damadi at Providence Colorectal in Southfield, Novi, Livonia, and Howell, MI, to learn more about a colectomy and what the procedure is like. Call for more information and to schedule an appointment at (248) 557-9650.