Last updated: 05-Nov-2026
Facing rectal cancer surgery and want to know the steps? Message Dr Harsh Shah’s team on WhatsApp. · Call +91-63555-64601
Dr Harsh Shah
MS, MCh (Surgical Gastroenterology), DrNB (Surgical Gastroenterology)
Registered with Gujarat Medical Council, Reg. No. G-38738
Gastro & Cancer Surgeon · Dr. Jivraj Mehta Hospital, Vasna, Ahmedabad
18 years of experience in operating on the rectum, colon, stomach, liver and pancreas. He was trained at Maulana Azad Medical College and GB Pant Hospital in Delhi.
In short
Rectal cancer surgery follows a clear path. It starts with scans and a team plan. Then come the operation, a hospital stay, and weeks of recovery with regular check-ups.
Knowing each step in advance makes the journey less frightening. Your bowel habit will change for a while, and it usually settles with time and care.
The full approach to this cancer is on the rectal cancer surgery with Dr Harsh Shah page. This page walks you through what to expect, step by step.
The weeks before surgery are for planning. Scans show the stage, and the team decides whether you need medicine or radiation first.
You will have a colonoscopy report, a biopsy, a pelvic MRI and a CT scan. The surgeon, oncologist and radiologist then agree on the order of treatment. Some people have radiation with chemotherapy first, to shrink the growth and make the operation cleaner.
You will also meet the anaesthetist, and have blood tests and a heart check. If a stoma may be needed, a nurse marks a suitable spot on your tummy before the operation. Eat well, stay active and stop smoking, because fitter patients recover faster.
| Stage | What happens |
|---|---|
| Planning | Scans, biopsy, team meeting, and a talk about a stoma. |
| Before surgery | Radiation or chemotherapy if advised, then a rest of some weeks. |
| Day of surgery | Keyhole or open operation under general anaesthesia. |
| In hospital | Pain control, walking from day one, slow return to eating. |
| At home | Gradual return to daily work, with diet and bowel advice. |
| Follow-up | Report review, blood tests and scans at planned visits. |
The operation removes the rectum with its surrounding fat and lymph glands, then joins the bowel back where possible.
It is done under general anaesthesia, by keyhole or open surgery, depending on your stage and body. The surgeon takes out the part of the rectum with the cancer in one clean package. The two healthy ends of bowel are then joined.
If you want to know how the choice of surgeon affects this step, read who should operate on your rectal tumour.
Most people sit up and walk with help on the first day. Early walking lowers the risk of clots and chest problems.
You will have pain medicine, a drip, and sometimes a tube in the tummy for a short time. Food starts with sips, then liquids, then soft meals as the bowel wakes up. A stay of about a week is common, though it differs from person to person.
At home, rest and walk a little more each day. Avoid heavy lifting for some weeks. Your surgeon will tell you when you can drive, travel and return to work.
After rectal surgery the bowel works differently for some months. Passing stool often, or in small amounts, is common at first.
Follow-up visits check your bowel habit, your reports and your general health. For other questions you may want ready, see the questions a good surgeon will welcome.
Dr Harsh Shah sees patients at Dr. Jivraj Mehta Hospital, Vasna, Ahmedabad. Bring your scans, scope report and biopsy report. He will go through them with you and explain each step of your own plan in plain words.
About a week is common, but it depends on the operation, your health and how quickly you recover. Your surgeon will give you a clearer idea once your plan is made.
Not always. It depends on how low the growth is and how the join heals. A temporary stoma is sometimes used to protect the join and is usually closed later.
Eating restarts in small steps in hospital. Most people return to a near-normal diet within a few weeks, with small meals and slow changes in fibre.
Desk work is often possible after some weeks. Heavy work needs longer. Your surgeon will advise you after checking how you are healing.
Visits are close together at first and then spread out. Each visit may include blood tests and scans, as planned by your surgeon.
Dr Harsh Shah — Dr. Jivraj Mehta Hospital, Vasna, Ahmedabad
Dr. Jivraj Mehta Hospital, Dr Jivraj Mehta Marg, Vasna, Ahmedabad 380007.
Consultations, review of reports and scans, operations and follow-up. OPD Monday to Saturday, 9 am to 5 pm.
Appointments: +91-63555-64601 · +91-63590-11009 · Hospital 079-2663 6363
Directions to the hospital · WhatsApp +91-63555-64601
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