Thats a tricky one to answer as there are so many different factors involved - position of tumour, what the surgeon finds during the op, age, health etc.
I had a Low Anterior Resection and was in for a week however the join leaked and I was readmitted for a fortnight although this is not the norm!
Ballpark figure? 5-7 days in hospital, 5-8 weeks at home. No driving for 5-6 weeks (until you can safely do an emergency stop), no lifting anything heavier than a kettle of water (take a cup of water to the kettle) for 5-6 weeks. If you have a stoma then no heavy lifting for 6-9 months as you are at risk of a hernia.
Ive attached a link to a booklet about the operation which may help
Like Karen said....Everyone's experience will be different - dependent on so many factors.I had a left hemicolectomy in May...9" colon removed. A friend shopped for me for a week. I was in hospital 4 days.....got blood thinner jabs for a month from visiting district nurses. It took me 2 weeks to feel more normal. I live alone, & just had to get on with it. I still have the odd twinges, dull achy pains in the area, but assume that's normal after a major operation. TBH, I rarely think about it now.
Have to echo Karen - it's a piece of string. I had a LAR on the Wednesday, went home on the Saturday & dove to Anfield a month to the day of surgery, walked the 1klm to the ground & watched Liverpool destroy West Ham; I hope it goes as well for you. The worst days by far were pre-surgery.
