Colon Cancer Symptoms and Stages

12. Pre-Surgery considerations

A week or two before surgery, your doctor will give you instructions about what to do on the day of the operation, such as when to stop drinking and eating. They will tell you about the procedure, its risks and benefits, and what you can expect after the surgery. Because of the risk of surgical site infection in colorectal surgeries, you will be given an oral antibiotic preparation and mechanical bowel preparation before surgery to clear the colon of its contents.