How you prepare
By Mayo Clinic staffTo prepare for rectal prolapse surgery, your doctor may ask that you:
- Drink a liquid to clean out your intestines. You'll be asked to drink a solution that flushes food and stool from your colon and rectum in the days before your surgery.
- Shower using special soap. Before your surgery, you'll be asked to take a shower using special antibacterial soap to help prevent germs on your skin from causing infection after your surgery.
- Stop taking certain medications. Depending on your procedure, you may be asked to stop taking certain medications.
Prepare for your hospital stay
You'll likely spend a few days in the hospital after rectal prolapse surgery. Plan ahead so that you'll be as comfortable as possible during your stay. Consider bringing:
- Personal care items, such as your toothbrush or your shaving supplies
- Comfortable clothes, such as a robe and slippers
- Entertainment, such as books and games
- McNevin MS. Overview of pelvic floor disorders. Surgical Clinics of North America. 2010;90:195.
- Fry RD, et al. Colon and rectum. In: Feldman M, et al. Sleisenger & Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, Management. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/book.do?method=display&type=aboutPage&decorator=header&eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-6189-2..X0001-7--TOP&isbn=978-1-4160-6189-2&uniq=208746819. Accessed Oct. 19, 2010.
- Rectal prolapse. American Society of Colon & Rectal Surgeons. http://www.fascrs.org/patients/conditions/rectal_prolapse/. Accessed Oct. 19, 2010.
- Tou S, et al. Surgery for complete rectal prolapse in adults. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2008:CD001758.

Find Mayo Clinic on