Bowel Surgery

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Patients may need to undergo bowel surgery for a number of reasons including:

  • Removal of polyps or bowel cancers

  • Complications of inflammatory bowel diseases (like Crohn’s disease or Ulcerative Colitis) such as strictures (narrowings), fistulas or perforations

  • Pain and complications related to diverticular disease

Modern technology

At the Specialist Centre in Ballarat we offer minimally invasive bowel surgery that is performed in operating theatres equipped with 3D vision and the latest advancements in surgical equipment. When required we perform complex cases with two teams of surgeons operating simultaneously.

Colonic Stents

Our sub-specialist colorectal surgeons offer colonic stenting. This involves placing a stent or expandable metal tube through a narrowing or cancer that may be blocking the bowel, avoiding large incisions and stoma bags.

Stoma Bags

Occasionally, stomas are required to safely perform bowel surgery. Stomas are created by bringing part of the bowel to the abdominal (tummy) wall and allowing the bowel content to empty into a bag to let healing occur. Occasionally stomas are permanent, but they are generally temporary, allowing safe healing of complex bowel problems until our patients are well enough to have the stoma reversed and the bag taken away. If you need a stoma bag our surgeons will work closely with experienced stomal therapists to help you manage this. Dr Carolyn Vasey has worked with her patients to establish a local patient support group for young adults with stoma bags (link to YAOS website).

Early Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) - our multimodal perioperative care pathway

Early Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols have been designed to help you recover quickly and safely after your surgery. We recognise having major bowel surgery can be anxiety provoking and hope these guidelines help you understand and set your own expectations for your peri-operative care. They are general in nature and modified as needed on a case-by-case basis to ensure you receive personalised care, underpinned by the latest evidence in colorectal surgery.