Rectal prolapse repair

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Surgery to repair rectal prolapse is advised for most adults.

During the 2 weeks before your surgery:

• Two weeks before surgery, you may be asked to stop taking drugs that make it harder for your blood to clot. These include aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), and naprosyn (Aleve, Naproxen).
• Ask your doctor which drugs you should still take on the day of your surgery.
• If you smoke, try to stop. Ask your doctor for help.
• Always let your doctor know if you have been sick before your surgery. This includes a cold, flu, herpes flare-up, or any other illness.
• Eat high-fiber foods and drink 6 - 8 glasses of water every day.

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The day before your surgery:

• Eat a light breakfast and lunch.
• You may be told to drink only clear liquids such as broth, clear juice, and water after noon.
• Do NOT drink anything after midnight, including water. Sometimes you will not be able to drink anything for up to 12 hours after surgery.
• Your doctor or nurse may ask you to use enemas or laxatives to clear out your intestines. They will give you instructions.

On the day of your surgery:

• Take any medications that your doctor told you to take with a small sip of water.
• Your doctor or nurse will tell you when to arrive at the hospital.

How long you stay in the hospital depends on the procedure. The average stay for open abdominal procedures is 5 - 8 days. You will go home sooner if you had laparoscopic surgery. The average stay for perineal surgery is 2 - 3 days. You should make a complete recovery in 4 - 6 weeks.

The surgery is usually effective in repairing the prolapse. The long-term outlook is good. Constipation and incontinence can be problems for some patients.

Review Date: 05/17/2010
Reviewed By: Shabir Bhimji, MD, PhD, Specializing in Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Midland, TX. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).