There are several different types of very effective painkilling drugs which you can be given. Always let your doctor or nurse know if you have any pain or discomfort. Your painkillers or their dose can be changed to suit your needs. After some types of bowel surgery, it may be uncomfortable to sit down but this should ease gradually as the wound begins to heal. You will probably be ready to go home about ten days after your operation, once your stitches have been removed.
Some people take longer than others to recover from their operation.
If you are having any problems, you may find it helpful to talk to someone who is not directly involved with your illness. Once you have recovered from the operation, there is usually no medical reason why you should not take up a normal sex life again. However, you may find that you feel self-conscious about the change in your body's appearance, especially if you have had a colostomy, and that this inhibits you making love. If you have a supportive partner, you may find that talking about your feelings will help to lessen your anxieties. Occasionally an operation to the area of the rectum can cause damage to the nerves that go to the sexual organs.