It is helpful to think about your discharge as early as possible.

  • Do you have support at home or do you think you will need additional help? Do you have someone who could come and stay with you on discharge?

  • Do you have someone who can help with shopping, cleaning and heavy lifting? Think about stocking up the freezer with pre-cooked foods.

  • Will you find it difficult to manage personal hygiene? Do you have a bath or shower?

  • If stairs are difficult, do you have a toilet downstairs or room for downstairs living? Practical equipment can be prepared or put in place in advance.

  • If you are staying with someone else on discharge, do you have the correct GP cover? You may need to register with a different GP on a temporary basis

It is our goal to provide a safe and timely discharge. By planning early we can identify any support you may need when you leave hospital and put a plan into place. If you feel you are likely to experience any difficulties then a social worker or occupational therapist will be able to help. Please discuss this with your keyworker, at your pre-operative assessment or with a member of staff on the ward.

Discharge Home

Being discharged home from hospital can be an anxious time and you may feel worried about what to do if you don't feel 'right'.

Many people worry about how they will cope at home and unsure of what to expect. Everyone recovers differently depending on their age, type of surgery and previous levels of fitness.

It is normal to feel physically and emotionally exhausted following surgery and it can take several weeks or even months to fully recover.

Our main concern on discharge is the small chance of you developing a post operative complication. Therefore, we would always encourage you to a medical review.

The CNS team plan to call you regularly after discharge to ensure your recovery is continuing to go well, this is also an opportunity for you and your family to ask us any questions.

However if you experience ANY of the following symptoms:

  • Increased abdominal pain not relieved by medication.

  • Your wounds look red, feel warm, leak or smell.

  • Persistent vomiting and diarrhoea.

  • A high output from your stoma (greater than a litre in 24 hours) particaurly if the output is liquid/watery.

  • An elevated temperature (feeling cold shivery or shaky)

  • Unable to eat and drink.

  • Unable to pass urine or only passing small amounts infrequently and/or burning and stinging.

  • New shortness of breath or cough.

  • Spending more time in bed - not able to complete activities

Ensure your are medically reviewed ASAP by contacting one of the below teams.

Monday - Friday 08:30-16:30 - Contact the Colorectal nursing team who can expedite this with your Colorectal surgeon

Out of these times, contact the GP out of hours or go to your nearest Emergency Department (A&E).

You will be discharged home with painkillers, blood thinning injections, your usual medications and a copy of your discharge letter.

The nurse who is discharging you will talk your through your discharge letter and take home medications.

You will be advised when to make an appointment with the practice nurse at your GP surgery to have the clips or stitches from your wound removed (if applicable). You will be given a letter for the nurse, wound dressings, dressing pack and clips remover.

The colorectal nursing team will arrange your follow-up appointment back with the surgical team, this will be approximately 2-3 weeks after your surgery.

When you first go home you will need to adjust to be being back at home.

As we discussed it is normal to find your bowels are frequent and loose - this is whilst the bowel settles after surgery. For some patients this can take weeks or months.

We encourage you to follow your hospital routine of waking in the morning, washing, dressing and having breakfast.

Throughout the day we encourage that every hour or two you get up and walk around the house and use the stairs (if applicable).

After a few days and when you feel better you can then incorporate the garden or go for small walks outside.

After the first week at home you may want to start to plan trips out with family or friends - you may want to visit a coffee shop or garden centre - you may want to plan that there is a toilet near by as your build your confidence.

General wellbeing

  • It is not unusual to feel tired and your sleep patterns may take a while to return to normal.

  • Your appetite may be reduced, we encourage you to eat little and often (4-5 smaller meals a day).

  • Try not to feels frustrated at not being able to do all the things you want straight away. Increase  your activity levels gradually. Start with short distances around the house and garden and increase as you feel able.

  • Your Macmillan Physiotherapist would have given you advice on post-op exercise.

  • Continue to take your painkillers as directed until you feel that you no longer need them. Remember, your pain should be controlled enough to allow your to move about comfortably.

  • The colorectal nursing team will continue you when you first go home for support and guidance

  • Remember you have been discharged home early after discharge if you have any concerns or queries you are encouraged to contact your team!

Driving

If you have had laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery, you should wait at least 4-6 weeks before you start to drive. If you have had open surgery with a large incision, it will be 6-8 weeks. In both situations you would need to be able to perform an emergency stop without feeling discomfort. We would always advised liaising with your car insurance advisors for further information to ensure you are completely recovered.

Work

It is advisable to take at least 2-4 weeks off work. The type of surgery you have had and the nature of your work will determine this. You may find it helpful to return to work part time if you can until you become stronger. Your surgeon or colorectal nurse will be happy to discuss this with you.