Colorectal surgery
We provide colorectal surgery for a range of conditions that affect the colon, rectum, anus and gastrointestinal tract. You can have your surgery as an outpatient or you may need to stay at our hospital until you recover.
Quick facts
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What is it for?
Conditions that affect the colon, rectum, anus and gastrointestinal tract
Treatment overview
Colorectal surgery focuses on treating conditions that affect the colon, rectum, anus and gastrointestinal tract.
If you’re affected by one of these conditions, you’ll first meet one of our renowned consultant colorectal surgeons to discuss your health.
They’ll then look inside your bowels by carrying out a colonoscopy.
A colonoscopy is a type of endoscopy that involves a long, thin, flexible tube with a camera on the end of it being passed through your back passage.
If surgery is required, your surgeon will aim to use keyhole surgery (also known as laparoscopic surgery) because of its many advantages.
Although keyhole surgery may not be possible for everyone, we’ll work to find a solution that’s best for you.
Contact us today to start your five-star treatment journey and get back to the life you love.
Your surgery at The London Clinic
World-leading gastroenterologists and colorectal surgeons will oversee your treatment at The London Clinic.
Before your surgery, your dedicated care team will guide you through what to expect, talk about your recovery plan and answer all your questions.
As one of our patients, you’ll also benefit from extra touches such meals that are tailored to support your recovery.
You’ll have a team of specialist nurses helping you get back on your feet quickly and safely.
You can choose additional therapies to help you make the most of your recovery and reduce any discomfort, such as reiki and acupuncture.
Once you’re ready to leave The London Clinic, we’ll give you advice to follow at home to help you have a speedy recovery.
We’ll also keep in contact with you over the following weeks to ensure everything is going smoothly.
Why choose The London Clinic
Excellence in one place
We operate as teams of experts with world-class resources dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of medical care. You are surrounded by the latest treatments and advice with everything you need to get back to your best health.
Personal care, every time
Exceptional patient care is a way of life for us. Our nurses, clinicians and support teams are dedicated to the care of a very small number of patients, so have more time for you. They’ll be with you every step of the way, tailoring your care around you and giving the peace-of-mind that comes with knowing you’re in the best hands.
Effortlessly simple
We work together as one to guide you through each step of your experience, with complexities unravelled and answers readily to hand. Your personal treatment plan will be laid out for you, with all the details taken care of so you can focus on you.
What's included in your package?
Choosing The London Clinic means your treatment plan will be laid out for you, with all the details taken care of so you can focus on you.
Your treatment package will include:
- Enhanced pre-admission assessment
- Your treatment with our complete care team at your fingertips
- Personalised aftercare and follow-up
We want you to be in control of your health. That’s why we also offer optional services such as comprehensive recovery packages and extra touches for you to choose from during your stay with us.
How to pay
- You can use private medical insurance (PMI) to access this treatment. We work with all major PMI providers in the UK and many internationally
- You can pay for yourself (self-pay)
- If you’re paying for yourself, we have finance options available with Chrysalis
FAQs
Your surgeon may offer you a choice of open surgery (one long cut on your stomach) or keyhole surgery (two to four small cuts on your stomach).
Choosing between open surgery and keyhole surgery will depend on your general health, age and weight.
The types of colorectal surgeries our surgeons are highly trained in and regularly carry out include a partial colectomy or total colectomy. These involve removing part of or all of your colon.
Your surgeon may suggest a hemicolectomy, where half of your colon will be removed.
There is also the option to remove your colon and rectum with a proctocolectomy.
We also offer an anterior resection (removing the sigmoid colon and rectum), or an abdominoperineal resection (removing the sigmoid colon, rectum and anus).
It usually takes around six to twelve weeks to get back to normal after colorectal surgery.
Your consultant will advise you on what you can and can’t do during this time, and over the coming weeks and months.
Your consultant will discuss with you any side effects you might experience and how they’ll be managed. The main side effects of colorectal surgery are:
Changes to how your bowel works
After surgery, you may struggle to have a poo for a few days. It’s also normal to have diarrhoea and a sore bottom.
Changes to how you have sex
Men may find it hard to get or keep an erection. While women may feel nervous or anxious about having sex, which could lead to their vagina becoming dry and sex being painful.
Changes to your diet
After surgery, you may find that certain foods upset your bowel, causing diarrhoea or wind.
Fatigue (tiredness or exhaustion)
After your surgery, you may find you tire easily after an activity or need to rest a lot during the day. It may take several months for this stop.
Pain
Most people will experience pain after their surgery. Your care team will talk to you about this and make sure you have the right pain relief to manage it.
Stoma
A stoma is an opening in the stomach that’s connected to the digestive system. It allows poo and other waste to leave your body and into a pouch.
Depending on your surgery, you may need a stoma for two to three months or more.
You may need a stoma made from your colon or ileum, these are known as a colostomy or ileostomy.