Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Surgical Specialists — HickoryCall (828) 327-9178
Dr. Baker HensonDO, FACS · Hickory, NC Book Appointment

Home / Colorectal Surgery

Colorectal surgery & treatments

Compassionate care for colon, rectal, and anal conditions — with robotic keyhole surgery when it is the safer way to remove disease and protect bowel function.

Major bowel procedures

Colon cancer resection

For colon cancer or large pre-cancerous polyps, the diseased segment of colon is removed (partial colectomy) along with nearby lymph nodes. Healthy ends are then reconnected.

Diverticulitis surgery

Small pouches in the colon can become inflamed or infected. Mild attacks may settle with antibiotics. Severe or repeated attacks may need the damaged segment — often the sigmoid colon — removed to prevent perforation.

Why robotic surgery helps here

Traditional colectomy used a long midline incision. Through a few keyhole incisions, many patients have less pain, bowel function that returns sooner, and a hospital stay of a few days rather than a week or more.

Anorectal conditions

These are usually outpatient.

  • Hemorrhoidectomy when creams and banding have failed.
  • Anal fissure — a small procedure to relax the muscle so a painful tear can heal.
  • Anal fistula — opening an infected tunnel so it can heal from the inside out.

Before surgery

Bowel prep (colectomy patients)

The colon must be empty. You will drink a prescribed liquid prep the day before, stay on clear liquids that day, and may take oral antibiotics. Nothing by mouth after midnight.

Anorectal surgery (hemorrhoids, fissures) usually does not need a full bowel prep. You may be asked to use an enema the morning of surgery. Follow the sheet you were given.

Full Before Surgery checklist →

After surgery

After a bowel resection

  • Hospital stay is often 2–4 days. Diet starts with liquids and moves to soft, low-fiber foods as the bowel “wakes up.”
  • Walking the halls the same day is part of the treatment — it lowers clot risk and helps the bowel move.
  • At home, stay on easy, low-residue foods at first (cooked vegetables, lean protein, white rice). Avoid raw vegetables, nuts, and seeds until cleared.

After anorectal surgery

  • Sitz baths: soak in a shallow tub of plain warm water 15 minutes, 3–4 times a day and after each bowel movement.
  • Stool softeners plus a fiber supplement and at least 64 ounces of water. Do not strain.
  • Mild spotting on toilet paper is common while the site heals.

When to call or go to the ER →

Detailed anorectal post-operative instructions →

Patient education diagrams for common anorectal conditions →

Your operative plan and discharge papers come first.