Most women feel better within the first week following surgery; however, do not lift, push or pull any heavy objects for a couple of weeks. Do not resume sexual intercourse or douche until your doctor says it is OK. Full recovery takes about two weeks to allow for internal healing.
After polyps are removed, you will need to return for an additional colonoscopy. There is a 25% to 30% chance that a repeat colonoscopy will find additional polyps. How soon you need to return for follow-up depends largely on the size of the polyps found in the first exam.
There may be some cramping or lower belly pain during the procedure. Medicine will help ease discomfort. Some will sleep through the procedure. Gas pains and cramping are common after.
After polyps are removed it can take up to a week for the patient to fully recover. During this time, patients should avoid all strenuous activities, which includes lifting anything over five pounds.
A polypectomy lasts about 30 to 60 minutes and is an outpatient procedure, allowing patients to return home the same day. They should be back to a normal routine as soon as the next day.
Most polyps are benign (not cancerous). Your doctor can tell if a colon polyp is cancerous during a colonoscopy by collecting tissue to biopsy. The results of the biopsy are typically sent to your doctor within a week. Only 5% to 10% of all polyps become cancerous.
You'll have some combination of pain-blocking medication and a sedative to relax you. You might feel vague pressure or pulling when your polyp is being removed, but you shouldn't feel pain.
Patients who initially had one polyp showed 15% of advanced polyp recurrence within 3 years. Conclusions: Recurrence of advanced polyp is very rare within one year after polypectomy. Patients with single polyp have low risk and thus, their surveillance may be delayed beyond the standard 3 years.
If you had a biopsy or had polyps removed, your doctor may recommend a special diet for a day or so to allow your intestines time to heal. Your doctor will let you know what to expect and what you can and can't eat or drink. You might not have a bowel movement for a couple days after the procedure.
A uterine polyp removal procedure is normally scheduled after menstrual bleeding has stopped and before you begin ovulation. This is about 1 to 10 days after your period.
After the procedure
You may feel bloated or pass gas for a few hours after the exam, as you clear the air from your colon. Walking may help relieve any discomfort. You may also notice a small amount of blood with your first bowel movement after the exam. Usually this isn't cause for alarm.
You should feel better after 1 to 2 weeks and will probably be back to normal in 2 to 4 weeks. Your bowel movements may not be regular for several weeks. Also, you may have some blood in your stool. This care sheet gives you a general idea about how long it will take for you to recover.
Recovery is generally quick. Minor side effects such as gassiness, bloating, and cramps usually resolve within 24 hours. With a more involved procedure, a full recovery can take up to two weeks. Your doctor will give you some instructions on how to care for yourself.
Obesity, lack of exercise and fat intake.
Studies show that all of these factors can increase your risk of developing polyps. On the other hand, including more fiber in your diet and exercising regularly can reduce your risk.
Various removal techniques are available; most involve removing them with a wire loop or biopsy forceps, sometimes using electric current. This is called polyp resection or polypectomy. Because the bowel's lining isn't sensitive to cutting or burning, polyp resection doesn't cause discomfort.
After a colonoscopy, eat foods that are soft and easy to digest to ease side effects such as bloating or gas. This may include eggs, white toast, and applesauce for breakfast. For lunch or dinner, choices could include lean chicken without skin, mashed potatoes, and soft-cooked carrots.
Common Symptoms of Colon Polyps
Changes in Bowel Movements – Sometimes colon polyps can lead to constipation or diarrhea that persists for longer than a week, as well as general changes in bowel habits.
It takes approximately 10 years for a small polyp to develop into cancer. Family history and genetics — Polyps and colon cancer tend to run in families, suggesting that genetic factors are important in their development.
Colon polyp development involves genetic and epigenetic changes and environmental effectors such as stress in this process can drive the normal colonic epithelial cells to hyperplastic and adenomas [25-27].
A small but long-term study found that, by 12 years after having nasal polyp surgery, almost 80% of people had gotten polyps again. More than 36% of those people had to have another operation. To get good results, follow your doctor's orders and stick to your treatment plan after surgery.
After nasal polyp removal, you can usually return to work within one week and all regular activities after three weeks. However, it may take a month or two for you to feel completely normal again, and you'll need to attend regular doctor's visits for at least three to four months after surgery.
Once polyps are removed they are sent to a lab for analysis. Most biopsies are normal, but if you had one polyp, you are more at risk for others. In this case, Colorectal Surgical Associates may move up your next screening. If the entire polyp was removed, you may not need any additional treatment.
Most colorectal cancers start as a growth on the inner lining of the colon or rectum. These growths are called polyps. Some types of polyps can change into cancer over time (usually many years), but not all polyps become cancer. The chance of a polyp turning into cancer depends on the type of polyp it is.