About Your Total Pelvic Exenteration

This guide will help you get ready for your total pelvic exenteration (eg-ZEN-teh-RAY-shun) at MSK. It will also help you know what to expect as you recover.

Use this guide as a source of information in the days leading up to your surgery. Bring it with you on the day of your surgery. You and your care team will use it as you learn more about your recovery.

About your total pelvic exenteration

A total pelvic exenteration is a surgery to remove organs from your urinary, gastrointestinal, and gynecologic systems. You may be having this surgery because you have cancer in your cervix or another organ in your urinary, gastrointestinal, or gynecologic systems.

About your urinary system

Your urinary system is made up of organs that make urine (pee) and get it out of your body. It includes your:

• Kidneys. These filter toxins out of your blood and make urine.
• Ureters. These carry urine from your kidneys to your bladder.
• Bladder. This stores your urine until you feel like you need to urinate.
• Urethra. This carries urine from your bladder out of your body. In females, it’s located in front of the vagina.

Figure 1 shows the parts of your urinary system.

During your surgery, your surgeon will remove your bladder and urethra. This means you’ll need a new place for urine to leave your body. Your surgeon will connect your ureters to a new urinary collection system called a urinary diversion or urostomy.

Types of urinary diversions

There are 2 types of urinary diversions: an ileal conduit and a urinary pouch. Each type opens onto your abdomen (belly). The opening is called a stoma.

• With an ileal conduit, your urine will drain into a bag that you put around your stoma. You’ll drain the bag as needed.
• With a urinary pouch, you’ll put a drainage catheter (thin, flexible tube) into the stoma several times a day to drain your urine.

Your healthcare provider will talk with you about which urinary diversion you’ll have. Your nurse will give you a resource that describes the type of diversion you’ll have. They’ll also teach you how to care for it.

About your gastrointestinal system

Your gastrointestinal system includes your:

• Mouth
• Esophagus (food pipe)
• Small intestine
• Colon (large intestine)
• Rectum (bottom end of your colon)
• Anus

Figure 2 shows the parts of your gastrointestinal system.

During your surgery, your surgeon will remove part of your colon. They’ll also remove your rectum and anus. This means you’ll need a new place for stool (poop) to leave your body.

Your surgeon will bring the end of your remaining colon to the outside of your abdomen (belly). This creates a colostomy, which is a new place for stool to leave your body. The opening itself is called a stoma. A pouch will cover the stoma to collect your stool.

Your healthcare team will teach you how to care for your stoma as you recover. Read the resource Caring for Your Ileostomy or Colostomy for more information about living with a colostomy.

About your gynecologic system

Your gynecologic system includes your:

• Ovaries
• Fallopian tubes
• Uterus
• Cervix
• Vagina

Figure 3 shows the parts of your gynecologic system.

During your surgery, your surgeon will remove your ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, and cervix. This means you won’t be able to have children naturally. If you’d like information about fertility (ability to get pregnant) options and your cancer treatment, read the resource Fertility Preservation Before Cancer Treatment: Options for People Born with Ovaries and a Uterus.

Your surgeon may also remove all or part of your vagina during your surgery. They’ll talk with you about this if it’s needed.

For some people, the vagina can be reconstructed. Ask your surgeon if this is an option for you. If it is, you’ll meet with a plastic surgeon to discuss this surgery. The reconstruction would be done at the end of your surgery. Your plastic surgeon will create a new vaginal canal from the muscles and skin of other areas of your body. Your nurse will tell you about how to care for your new vagina. If you don’t want your vagina reconstructed, the area can be closed or covered with a flap of skin.

If your vagina isn’t removed, you should be able to have vaginal intercourse (sex). If you have vaginal reconstruction, you should be able to have vaginal intercourse again when the area heals. If you don’t have vaginal reconstruction, remember that sex can include other forms of intimacy. Ask your surgeon if your clitoris will be removed and how much feeling you’ll still have in your vaginal area.

Your healthcare providers will tell you what to expect after surgery. For example, sensations in your vaginal area may not be the same as they were before your surgery. Your surgeon can refer you to our Female Sexual Medicine and Women’s Health Program so you can meet with a therapist and discuss your concerns.

Meeting with your healthcare team

You’ll see many different healthcare providers before your surgery. Each one will describe their role in your care and answer your questions. You may see team members such as:

• Surgeons from other departments who will work with your surgeon to complete your surgery.
• A psychologist who works with people having this surgery.
• A wound, ostomy, and continence (WOC) nurse who will talk with you about the stoma you’ll have.

It may be helpful for you to write down questions as you think of them. Bring your list of questions to your appointments.

You may also be able to speak with someone who has had the surgery. Your social worker can help plan this for you.

Before your total pelvic exenteration

This section will help you get ready for your surgery. Read it when your surgery is scheduled. Refer to it as your surgery gets closer. It has important information about what to do to get ready.

As you read this section, write down questions to ask your healthcare provider.

Getting ready for your surgery

You and your care team will work together to get ready for your surgery. Help us keep you safe by telling us if any of these things apply to you, even if you’re not sure.

• I take an anticoagulant (blood thinner), such as:
  • Aspirin
  • Heparin
  • Warfarin (Jantoven®, Coumadin®)
  • Clopidogrel (Plavix®)
  • Enoxaparin (Lovenox®)
  • Dabigatran (Pradaxa®)
  • Apixaban (Eliquis®)
  • Rivaroxaban (Xarelto®)
• I take an SGLT2 inhibitor, such as:
  • Canagliflozin (Invokana®)
  • Dapagliflozin (Farxiga®)
  • Empagliflozin (Jardiance®)
  • Ertugliflozin (Steglatro®)
• I take any prescription medicines, including patches and creams. A prescription medicine is one you can only get with a prescription from a healthcare provider.
• I take any over-the-counter medicines, including patches and creams. An over-the-counter medicine is one you can buy without a prescription.
• I take any dietary supplements, such as herbs, vitamins, minerals, or natural or home remedies.
• I have a pacemaker, automatic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (AICD), or other heart device.
• I have sleep apnea.
• I have had a problem with anesthesia (A-nes-THEE-zhuh) in the past. Anesthesia is medicine to make you sleep during a surgery or procedure.
• I’m allergic to certain medicines or materials, including latex.
• I’m not willing to receive a blood transfusion.
• I drink alcohol.
• I smoke or use an electronic smoking device, such as a vape pen or e-cigarette.
• I use recreational drugs, such as marijuana.

About drinking alcohol

It’s important to talk with your healthcare providers about how much alcohol you drink. This will help us plan your care.

If you drink alcohol regularly, you may be at risk for problems during and after your surgery. These include bleeding, infections, heart problems, and a longer hospital stay.

If you drink alcohol regularly and stop suddenly, it can cause seizures, delirium, and death. If we know you’re at risk for these problems, we can prescribe medicine to help prevent them.

Here are things you can do before your surgery to keep from having problems.

• Be honest with your healthcare providers about how much alcohol you drink.
• Try to stop drinking alcohol once your surgery is planned. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you:
  • Get a headache.
  • Feel nauseous (like you’re going to throw up).
  • Feel more anxious (nervous or worried) than usual.
  • Cannot sleep.

These are early signs of alcohol withdrawal and can be treated.

• Tell your healthcare provider if you cannot stop drinking.
• Ask your healthcare provider questions about drinking and surgery. All your medical information will be kept private, as always.

About smoking

If you smoke, you can have breathing problems when you have surgery. Stopping for even a few days before your surgery can help.

Your healthcare provider will refer you to our Tobacco Treatment Program if you smoke. You can also reach the program by calling 212-610-0507.

About sleep apnea

Sleep apnea is a common breathing problem. If you have sleep apnea, you stop breathing for short lengths of time while you’re asleep. The most common type is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). With OSA, your airway becomes fully blocked during sleep.

OSA can cause serious problems during and after surgery. Tell us if you have or think you might have sleep apnea. If you use a breathing device, such as a CPAP machine, bring it on the day of your surgery.

Using MyMSK

MyMSK (my.mskcc.org) is your MSK patient portal. You can use it to send and read messages from your care team, view your test results, see your appointment dates and times, and more. You can also invite your caregiver to make their own account so they can see information about your care.

If you do not have a MyMSK account, you can sign up at my.mskcc.org. You can get an enrollment ID by calling 646-227-2593 or your doctor’s office.

Watch How to Enroll in MyMSK: Memorial Sloan Kettering's Patient Portal to learn more. You can also contact the MyMSK Help Desk by emailing [email protected] or calling 800-248-0593.

Within 30 days of your surgery

Presurgical testing (PST)

You’ll have a PST appointment before your surgery. You’ll get a reminder from your surgeon’s office with the appointment date, time, and location. Visit www.msk.org/parking for parking information and directions to all MSK locations.

You can eat and take your usual medicines the day of your PST appointment.

It’s helpful to bring these things to your appointment:

• A list of all the medicines you’re taking, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, patches, and creams.
• Results of any medical tests done outside of MSK in the past year, if you have them. Examples include results from a cardiac stress test, echocardiogram, or carotid doppler study.
• The names and telephone numbers of your healthcare providers.

You’ll meet with an advance practice provider (APP) during your PST appointment. They work closely with MSK’s anesthesiology (A-nes-THEE-zee-AH-loh-jee) staff. These are doctors with special training in using anesthesia during a surgery or procedure.

Your APP will review your medical and surgical history with you. You may have tests to plan your care, such as:

• An electrocardiogram (EKG) to check your heart rhythm.
• A chest X-ray.
• Blood tests.

Your APP may recommend you see other healthcare providers. They’ll also talk with you about which medicine(s) to take the morning of your surgery.

Identify your caregiver

Your caregiver has an important role in your care. Before your surgery, you and your caregiver will learn about your surgery from your healthcare providers. After your surgery, your caregiver will take you home when you’re discharged. They’ll also help you care for yourself at home.

For caregivers

‌  Caring for a person going through cancer treatment comes with many responsibilities. We offer resources and support to help you manage them. Visit www.msk.org/caregivers or read A Guide for Caregivers to learn more.

Fill out a Health Care Proxy form

If you have not already filled out a Health Care Proxy form, we recommend you do now. If you already filled one out or have any other advance directives, bring them to your next appointment.

A health care proxy is a legal document. It says who will speak for you if you cannot communicate for yourself. This person is called your health care agent.

• To learn about health care proxies and other advance directives, read Advance Care Planning for People With Cancer and Their Loved Ones.
• To learn about being a health care agent, read How to Be a Health Care Agent.

Talk with a member of your care team if you have questions about filling out a Health Care Proxy form.

Do breathing and coughing exercises

Practice taking deep breaths and coughing before your surgery. Your healthcare provider will give you an incentive spirometer to help expand your lungs. To learn more, read How To Use Your Incentive Spirometer.

Buy a 4% chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) solution antiseptic skin cleanser, such as Hibiclens®

4% CHG solution is a skin cleanser that kills germs for 24 hours after you use it. Showering with it before your surgery will help lower your risk of infection after surgery. You can buy a 4% CHG solution antiseptic skin cleanser at your local pharmacy without a prescription.

Buy bowel prep supplies, if needed

Your healthcare provider may tell you to do a bowel prep (clear the stool from your body) before your surgery. If they do, they’ll tell you what to do.

Your healthcare provider will give you a prescription for antibiotics to take as part of your bowel prep. You’ll also need to buy the following supplies:

• 1 (238-gram) bottle of polyethylene glycol (MiraLAX®). You can buy this at your local pharmacy. You don’t need a prescription.
• 1 (64-ounce) bottle of a clear liquid. For examples of clear liquids, read the “Follow a clear liquid diet, if needed” section.
• Extra clear liquids to drink while you’re following a clear liquid diet.

7 days before your surgery

Follow your healthcare provider’s instructions for taking aspirin

Aspirin can cause bleeding. If you take aspirin or a medicine that has aspirin, you may need to change your dose or stop taking it 7 days before your surgery. Follow your healthcare provider’s instructions. Do not stop taking aspirin unless they tell you to.

To learn more, read How To Check if a Medicine or Supplement Has Aspirin, Other NSAIDs, Vitamin E, or Fish Oil. 

Stop taking vitamin E, multivitamins, herbal remedies, and other dietary supplements

Vitamin E, multivitamins, herbal remedies, and other dietary supplements can cause bleeding. Stop taking them 7 days before your surgery. If your healthcare provider gives you other instructions, follow those instead.

To learn more, read Herbal Remedies and Cancer Treatment.

2 days before your surgery

Stop taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen (Advil^® and Motrin^®) and naproxen (Aleve^®), can cause bleeding. Stop taking them 2 days before your surgery. If your healthcare provider gives you other instructions, follow those instead.

To learn more, read How To Check if a Medicine or Supplement Has Aspirin, Other NSAIDs, Vitamin E, or Fish Oil.

1 day before your surgery

Follow a clear liquid diet, if needed

Your healthcare provider will tell you if you need to follow a clear liquid diet the day before your surgery. A clear liquid diet includes only liquids you can see through. You can find examples in the “Clear liquid diet” table.

While you’re following a clear liquid diet:

• Do not eat any solid foods.
• Try to drink at least 1 (8-ounce) cup of clear liquid every hour you’re awake.
• Drink different types of clear liquids. Do not just drink water, coffee, and tea.
• Do not drink any liquids you can’t see through, such as milk or smoothies.
• Do not drink sugar-free liquids unless you have diabetes and a member of your care team tells you to.

How to follow a clear liquid diet if you have diabetes

Ask the healthcare provider who manages your diabetes:

• What to do while you’re following a clear liquid diet.
• If you need to change your dose of insulin or other diabetes medicine(s), if you take them.
• If you should drink sugar-free clear liquids.

Check your blood sugar level often while you’re following a clear liquid diet. If you have questions, talk with your healthcare provider.

Start your bowel prep, if needed

Your healthcare provider will tell you if you need to do a bowel prep the day before your surgery. If you do, follow these instructions.

The morning of the day before your surgery, mix all 238 grams of MiraLAX with 64 ounces of clear liquid until the MiraLAX powder dissolves. Once the powder is dissolved, you can put the mixture in the refrigerator if you want to.

At 5 p.m. on the day before your surgery, start drinking the MiraLAX mixture. It will cause frequent bowel movements, so make sure you’re near a bathroom.

• Drink 1 (8-ounce) cup of the mixture every 15 minutes until it’s gone.
• When you finish the MiraLAX mixture, drink 4 to 6 cups of clear liquids.
• Apply zinc oxide ointment or Desitin® to the skin around your anus after every bowel movement. This helps prevent irritation.

At 7 p.m. on the day before your surgery, take your antibiotics as instructed.

At 10 p.m. on the day before your surgery, take your antibiotics as instructed.

Note the time of your surgery

A staff member will call you after 2 p.m. the day before your surgery. If your surgery is scheduled for a Monday, they’ll call you the Friday before. If you do not get a call by 7 p.m., call 212-639-5014.

The staff member will tell you what time to get to the hospital for your surgery. They’ll also remind you where to go.

Visit www.msk.org/parking for parking information and directions to all MSK locations.

Shower with a 4% CHG solution antiseptic skin cleanser, such as Hibiclens

Shower with a 4% CHG solution antiseptic skin cleanser before you go to bed the night before your surgery.

Do not put on any lotion, cream, deodorant, makeup, powder, perfume, or cologne after your shower.

Instructions for eating

‌ 
Stop eating at midnight (12 a.m.) the night before your surgery. This includes hard candy and gum.

If your healthcare provider told you to stop eating earlier than midnight, follow their instructions. Some people need to fast (not eat) for longer before their surgery.

The day of your surgery

Instructions for drinking

Between midnight (12 a.m.) and 2 hours before your arrival time, only drink the liquids on the list below. Do not eat or drink anything else. Stop drinking 2 hours before your arrival time.

• Water.
• Clear apple juice, clear grape juice, or clear cranberry juice.
• Gatorade or Powerade.
• Black coffee or plain tea. It’s OK to add sugar. Do not add anything else.
  • Do not add any amount of any type of milk or creamer. This includes plant-based milks and creamers.
  • Do not add honey.
  • Do not add flavored syrup.

If you have diabetes, pay attention to the amount of sugar in these drinks. It will be easier to control your blood sugar levels if you include sugar-free, low-sugar, or no added sugar versions of these drinks.

It’s helpful to stay hydrated before surgery, so drink if you are thirsty. Do not drink more than you need. You will get intravenous (IV) fluids during your surgery.

‌ 
Stop drinking 2 hours before your arrival time. This includes water.

Take your medicines as instructed

A member of your care team will tell you which medicines to take the morning of your surgery. Take only those medicines with a sip of water. Depending on what you usually take, this may be all, some, or none of your usual morning medicines.

Shower with a 4% CHG solution antiseptic skin cleanser, such as Hibiclens

Shower with a 4% CHG solution antiseptic skin cleanser before you leave for the hospital. Use it the same way you did the night before.

Do not put on any lotion, cream, deodorant, makeup, powder, perfume, or cologne after your shower.

Things to remember

• Wear something comfortable and loose-fitting.
• If you wear contact lenses, wear your glasses instead. Wearing contact lenses during surgery can damage your eyes.
• Do not wear any metal objects. Take off all jewelry, including body piercings. The tools used during your surgery can cause burns if they touch metal.
• Leave valuable items at home.
• If you’re menstruating (have your monthly period), use a sanitary pad, not a tampon. We’ll give you disposable underwear and a pad if you need them.

What to bring

• Your breathing device for sleep apnea (such as your CPAP machine), if you have one.
• Your incentive spirometer, if you have one.
• Your Health Care Proxy form and other advance directives, if you filled them out.
• Your cell phone and charger.
• Only the money you may want for small purchases, such as a newspaper.
• A case for your personal items, if you have any. Eyeglasses, hearing aids, dentures, prosthetic devices, wigs, and religious articles are examples of personal items.
• This guide. You’ll use it to learn how to care for yourself after surgery.

Once you’re in the hospital

When you get to the hospital, take the B elevator to the 6^th floor. Check in at the desk in the PSC waiting room.

Many staff members will ask you to say and spell your name and birth date. This is for your safety. People with the same or a similar name may be having surgery on the same day.

We’ll give you a hospital gown, robe, and nonskid socks to wear when it’s time to change for surgery.

For caregivers, family, and friends

‌  Read Information for Family and Friends for the Day of Surgery to help you know what to expect on the day of your loved one’s surgery.

Meet with a nurse

You’ll meet with a nurse before surgery. Tell them the dose of any medicines you took after midnight (12 a.m.) and the time you took them. Make sure to include prescription and over-the-counter medicines, patches, and creams.

Your nurse may place an intravenous (IV) line in one of your veins, usually in your arm or hand. If your nurse does not place the IV, your anesthesiologist (A-nes-THEE-zee-AH-loh-jist) will do it in the operating room.

Meet with an anesthesiologist

You’ll also meet with an anesthesiologist before surgery. They will:

• Review your medical history with you.
• Ask if you’ve had any problems with anesthesia in the past. This includes nausea (feeling like you’re going to throw up) or pain.
• Talk with you about your comfort and safety during your surgery.
• Talk with you about the kind of anesthesia you’ll get.
• Answer questions you have about anesthesia.

Your surgeon or anesthesiologist may also talk with you about placing an epidural catheter (thin, flexible tube) in your spine (back). An epidural catheter is another way to give you pain medication after your surgery.

Get ready for surgery

When it’s time for your surgery, you’ll take off your eyeglasses, hearing aids, dentures, prosthetic devices, wig, and religious articles.

You’ll either walk into the operating room or a staff member will bring you there on a stretcher. A member of the operating room team will help you onto the operating bed. They’ll put compression boots on your lower legs. These gently inflate and deflate to help blood flow in your legs.

Once you’re comfortable, your anesthesiologist will give you anesthesia through your IV line and you’ll fall asleep. You’ll also get fluids through your IV line during and after your surgery.

During your surgery

After you’re fully asleep, your care team will place a breathing tube through your mouth into your airway. It will help you breathe. They’ll also place a urinary (Foley) catheter in your bladder. It will drain your urine (pee) during your surgery.

Once your surgery is finished, your surgeon will close your incisions with staples or sutures (stitches). They may also place Steri-Strips^™ (thin pieces of surgical tape) or Dermabond^® (surgical glue) over them and cover them with a bandage.

Your care team will usually take out your breathing tube while you’re still in the operating room.

After your total pelvic exenteration

This section will help you know what to expect after your surgery. You’ll learn how to safely recover from your surgery both in the hospital and at home.

As you read this section, write down questions to ask your healthcare provider.

In the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU)

You’ll be in the PACU when you wake up after your surgery. A nurse will be keeping track of your temperature, pulse, blood pressure, and oxygen levels. You may get oxygen through a tube resting below your nose or a mask over your nose and mouth. You’ll also have compression boots on your lower legs.

Pain medicine

You’ll get epidural or IV pain medicine while you’re in the PACU.

• If you’re getting epidural pain medicine, it will be put into your epidural space through your epidural catheter. Your epidural space is the space in your spine just outside your spinal cord.
• If you’re getting IV pain medicine, it will be put into your bloodstream through your IV line.

You’ll be able to control your pain medicine using a button called a patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) device. Read Patient-Controlled Analgesia (PCA) to learn more.

Tubes and drains

You’ll have many tubes, drains, pouches, and bandages on your abdomen (see Figure 4). They may include:

• Jackson-Pratt (JP) drains to drain the fluid from around your incisions. These will be removed when your incisions stop draining.
• A catheter or drainage tube to drain urine from your urinary pouch.
• A drainage tube at the incision site. This serves as a safety catheter. It’s placed in case the catheter in your urinary pouch gets blocked or comes out. It will be clamped shut.
• A colostomy pouch on your colostomy stoma to collect stool.
• A urostomy pouch on your ileal conduit stoma to collect urine.

You’ll also have:

• Bandages and drains on your upper inside thighs if you had your vagina reconstructed.
• An IV line to give you fluids.
• Compression boots on your calves to help blood circulate. These will stay on whenever you’re in bed until you’re discharged from the hospital.

Your abdomen and colostomy stoma will become more swollen over the next few days, and then the swelling will go down.

Most of the drains and tubes will be removed over the next days to weeks. In about 3 to 6 weeks, most people will have either 1 stoma for a urinary pouch or a pouch for the ileal conduit. Your colostomy stoma will also be covered with a pouch to collect the stool (see Figure 5).

Your WOC nurse and other nursing staff will teach you how to care for your stomas and pouches as you recover.

Moving to your hospital room

Most people stay in the PACU overnight. After your stay in the PACU, a staff member will take you to your hospital room.

In your hospital room

The length of time you’re in the hospital after your surgery depends on your recovery. Most people stay in the hospital for about 4 to 7 days.

In your hospital room, you’ll meet one of the nurses who will care for you during your stay. Your care team will teach you how to care for yourself while you’re healing from your surgery.

You won’t be able to sit for 6 to 8 weeks after your surgery. You can lie on your back or side or you can stand. Your healthcare providers will help you with this.

Managing your pain

You may have pain at your incision sites and your abdomen.

• If you have an epidural catheter, you’ll get pain medication into your epidural space. You’ll be able to control your medication using a PCA device.
• If you don’t have an epidural catheter, you’ll get pain medication in your IV line.
• Once you’re able to eat normal food, you’ll get oral pain medication (medication you swallow).

We will ask you about your pain often and give you medicine as needed. Tell one of your healthcare providers if your pain is not relieved. It’s important to control your pain so you can use your incentive spirometer and move around. Controlling your pain can help you recover faster.

You’ll get a prescription for pain medicine before you leave the hospital. Talk with your healthcare provider about possible side effects. Ask them when to start switching to over-the-counter pain medicine.

Moving around and walking

Moving around and walking will help lower your risk for blood clots and pneumonia (lung infection). It will also help you start passing gas and having bowel movements (pooping) again. Your nurse, physical therapist, or occupational therapist will help you move around, if needed.

To learn more about how walking can help you recover, read Frequently Asked Questions About Walking After Your Surgery.

Read Call! Don't Fall! to learn what you can do to stay safe and keep from falling while you’re in the hospital.

Exercising your lungs

It’s important to exercise your lungs so they expand fully. This helps prevent pneumonia.

• Use your incentive spirometer 10 times every hour you’re awake. Read How To Use Your Incentive Spirometer to learn more.
• Do coughing and deep breathing exercises. A member of your care team will teach you how.

Eating and drinking

You will not be able to eat for 1 to 2 days after your surgery. You’ll get fluids through an IV line during this time. Then, you’ll follow a clear liquid diet. After that, you can start eating normal foods again, as tolerated.

When you’re able to eat normal foods again, it’s important to eat a balanced diet high in protein to help you heal after surgery. Your diet should include a healthy protein source at each meal, as well as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. 

For more tips on increasing the calories and protein in your diet, read Eating Well During Your Cancer Treatment.

If you have questions about your diet, ask to see a clinical dietitian nutritionist.

Caring for your drains and incisions

You’ll likely have some bleeding from most of your incisions or around your drains. You may also have some discharge and tenderness around your incisions and drains for a few days. Your nurses will show you and tell you what’s normal and expected as they care for you. You’ll also start to learn how to care for your stoma(s) and incisions.

Some of the tubes and drains may be removed before you’re discharged from the hospital. If you go home with the drains, your nurses will teach you how to care for them.

If you have an incision that was closed with staples, the staples are usually taken out before you leave the hospital. Some people will have them removed at their first follow-up visit. 

Showering

You can shower while you’re in the hospital. Your healthcare provider will tell you when it’s OK to start. Wash your incisions with a 4% CHG solution antiseptic skin cleanser such as Hibiclens until your staples are removed.

Planning for discharge

Before you go home, one of your healthcare providers will give you the supplies you need to care for yourself for the first month. After that, you can order your supplies from an outside source.

You may still have drains in when you go home. Ask your healthcare provider when they’ll be removed. Your discharge nurse case manager will arrange to have a visiting nurse see you at home. Your visiting nurse will help you while you’re learning to care for your incision, drains, and stoma.

You’ll get a prescription for pain medication. Take your medication as instructed by your healthcare provider and as you need it. Don’t drive or drink alcohol while you’re taking prescription pain medication.

Read Gynecology Service: What You Should Know About Going Home to learn more about getting ready for your discharge.

Leaving the hospital

By the time you’re ready to leave the hospital, your incisions will have started to heal. Before you leave, look at your incisions with one of your healthcare providers. Knowing what they look like will help you notice any changes later.

On the day of your discharge, plan to leave the hospital around 11 a.m. Before you leave, your healthcare provider will write your discharge order and prescriptions. You’ll also get written discharge instructions. One of your healthcare providers will review them with you before you leave.

If your ride isn’t at the hospital when you’re ready to be discharged, you may be able to wait in the Patient Transition Lounge. A member of your healthcare team will give you more information.

At home

Read What You Can Do to Avoid Falling to learn what you can do to keep from falling at home and during your appointments at MSK.

Filling out your Recovery Tracker

We want to know how you’re feeling after you leave the hospital. To help us care for you, we’ll send questions to your MyMSK account. We’ll send them every day for 10 days after you’re discharged. These questions are known as your Recovery Tracker.

Fill out your Recovery Tracker every day before midnight (12 a.m.). It only takes 2 to 3 minutes to complete. Your answers to these questions will help us understand how you’re feeling and what you need.

Based on your answers, we may reach out to you for more information. Sometimes, we may ask you to call your surgeon’s office. You can always contact your surgeon’s office if you have any questions.

To learn more, read Common Questions About MSK's Recovery Tracker.

Managing your pain

People have pain or discomfort for different lengths of time. You may still have some pain when you go home and will probably be taking pain medicine. Some people have soreness, tightness, or muscle aches around their incision for 6 months or longer. This doesn’t mean something is wrong.

Follow these guidelines to help manage your pain at home.

• Take your medicines as directed and as needed.
• Call your healthcare provider if the medicine prescribed for you does not help your pain.
• Do not drive or drink alcohol while you’re taking prescription pain medicine. Some prescription pain medicines can make you drowsy (very sleepy). Alcohol can make the drowsiness worse.
• You’ll have less pain and need less pain medicine as your incision heals. An over-the-counter pain reliever will help with aches and discomfort. Acetaminophen (Tylenol®) and ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) are examples of over-the-counter pain relievers.
  • Follow your healthcare provider’s instructions for stopping your prescription pain medicine.
  • Do not take too much of any medicine. Follow the instructions on the label or from your healthcare provider.
  • Read the labels on all the medicines you’re taking. This is very important if you’re taking acetaminophen. Acetaminophen is an ingredient in many over-the-counter and prescription medicines. Taking too much can harm your liver. Do not take more than one medicine that has acetaminophen without talking with a member of your care team.
• Pain medicine should help you get back to your usual activities. Take enough to do your activities and exercises comfortably. You may have a little more pain as you start to be more active.
• Keep track of when you take your pain medicine. It works best 30 to 45 minutes after you take it. Taking it when you first have pain is better than waiting for the pain to get worse.

Some prescription pain medicines, such as opioids, may cause constipation. Constipation is when you poop less often than usual, have a harder time pooping, or both. Talk with your healthcare provider about how to prevent and manage constipation.

Caring for your incision

Take a shower every day to clean your incision. Follow the instructions in the “Showering” section.

It’s common for the skin below your incision to feel numb. This happens because some of your nerves were cut during your surgery. The numbness will go away over time.

Call your healthcare provider’s office if:

• The skin around your incision is very red or getting more red.
• The skin around your incision is warmer than usual.
• The area around your incision is starting to swell or getting more swollen.
• You see drainage that looks like pus (thick and milky).
• Your incision smells bad.

If you go home with staples in your incision, your healthcare provider will take them out during your first appointment after surgery. It’s OK to get them wet.

Caring for your colostomy and urinary diversion

Your nurse will teach you how to care for your colostomy and urinary diversion before you leave the hospital. Read Caring for Your Ileostomy or Colostomy for more information about caring for your colostomy. Your WOC nurse will give you information about caring for your urinary diversion.

Showering

Take a shower every day to clean your incision. If you have staples in your incision, it’s OK to get them wet.

Take your bandage(s) off before you shower. Use soap during your shower, but don’t put it directly on your incision. Don’t rub the area around your incision.

After you shower, pat the area dry with a clean towel. Leave your incision uncovered or cover it with a small bandage if your clothing (such as the waistline of your pants) may rub it.

Don’t take a bath for the first 4 weeks after your surgery.

Eating and drinking

You can eat all the foods you did before your surgery, unless your healthcare provider gives you other instructions. Eating a balanced diet with lots of calories and protein will help you heal after surgery. Try to eat a good protein source (such as meat, fish, or eggs) at each meal. You should also try to eat fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

It’s also important to drink plenty of liquids. Try to drink 8 to 10 (8-ounce) cups of liquids every day. Choose liquids without alcohol. Limit liquids with caffeine.

For more tips on eating and drinking after surgery, read Eating Well During Your Cancer Treatment.

If you have questions about your diet, ask to see a clinical dietitian nutritionist.

Physical activity and exercise

Your incision may look like it’s healed on the outside when you leave the hospital. It will not be healed on the inside. For the first 6 to 8 weeks after your surgery:

• Do not lift anything heavier than 10 pounds (4.5 kilograms).
• Do not do any high-energy activities, such as jogging and tennis.
• Do not play any contact sports, such as football.

Talk with your healthcare provider before you start doing high-energy activities or lifting heavy objects.

Doing physical activity, such as walking and stair climbing, will help you gain strength and feel better. Try to get 20 to 30 minutes of physical activity at least 2 to 3 times a day. For example, you can walk outside or indoors at your local mall or shopping center.

It’s common to have less energy than usual after surgery. Recovery time is different for everyone. Do more activity each day as much as you can. Always balance activity periods with rest periods. Rest is an important part of your recovery.

Sexual activity

If you have a vagina or a reconstructed vagina, don’t put anything inside it or have vaginal intercourse until your first appointment after surgery. At this appointment, your healthcare provider will tell you when you can start having vaginal intercourse again.

If your healthcare provider told you it’s OK have vaginal intercourse but you feel pain during vaginal intercourse, call them. They can refer you to physical therapy for an evaluation.
Other activities

Other activities

Before starting any activities such as driving, traveling, or going back to work, talk with your healthcare provider. They’ll help you figure out when you can start doing these again.

Managing your feelings

This surgery will change your body, and it will probably take time for you to get used to these changes. You may feel scared, angry, or worried. You may have questions or fears about how this surgery will impact your sexuality. These feelings are normal, and many people feel the same way.

Everyone gets used to these changes in their own way. For some people, it can take a few months to get used to their changed body image. For others, it can take longer. As time goes on, you’ll get stronger. You’ll be more confident in caring for your incisions and pouch. Your appetite and energy will get better. Eventually, you’ll be able to resume most of your normal activities.

We have many resources to help you. Your healthcare providers will answer your questions. Our social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, and WOC nurses have helped many people through this change. You can have one-on-one counseling, or you can join one of our online or in-person support groups. We also have clergy available for spiritual support. You may be able to meet with other people who have had this surgery and who can talk with you and answer your questions. Talk with your healthcare provider if you’re interested in this.

To address issues with sexual health and intimacy, you can see someone from our Female Sexual Medicine & Women’s Health Program. For more information or to set up an appointment, call 646-888-5076.

When to call your healthcare provider

Call your healthcare provider if:

• You have a fever of 100.5 °F (38.0 °C) or higher.
• You have chills.
• You’re having trouble breathing.
• The skin around your incision is warmer than usual.
• The skin around your incision is getting redder.
• The area around your incision is starting to swell.
• The area around your incision is getting more swollen.
• You have discharge coming from your incisions.
• You have a bad smell coming from your incisions.
• You have pain that doesn’t get better with pain medication.
• You have vaginal bleeding or bad-smelling vaginal discharge.
• You have burning when passing stool or urine.
• You can’t pass stool or urine into your stoma or pouch.
• You have any problems you didn’t expect.
• You have any questions or concerns.

Contact information

Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., call your healthcare provider’s office.

After 5 p.m., during the weekend, and on holidays, call 212-639-2000. Ask to speak to the person on call for your healthcare provider.

Support services

This section has a list of support services. They may help you as you get ready for your surgery and recover after your surgery.

As you read this section, write down questions to ask your healthcare provider.

Gynecologic surgery support services

United Ostomy Associations of America, Inc (UOAA)
www.ostomy.org
800-826-0826
Volunteer group who supports people who have or will have an ostomy and provides educational resources.

Women’s Cancer Network: Gynecological Cancer Foundation (GCF)
www.foundationforwomenscancer.org
312-578-1439
Nonprofit organization that provides education and supports research on gynecologic cancers.

Wound, Ostomy, Continence Nurses Society
www.wocn.org/page/PatientResources
888-224-WOCN (888-224-9626)
Provides patient resource from nursing members who have special training in the care of people with wounds, ostomies, and continence problems.

MSK support services

Admitting Office
212-639-7606
Call if you have questions about your hospital admission, such as asking for a private room.

Anesthesia
212-639-6840
Call if you have questions about anesthesia.

Blood Donor Room
212-639-7643
Call for information if you’re interested in donating blood or platelets.

Bobst International Center
332-699-7968
We welcome patients from around the world and offer many services to help. If you’re an international patient, call for help arranging your care.

Counseling Center
www.msk.org/counseling
646-888-0200
Many people find that counseling helps them. Our Counseling Center offers counseling for individuals, couples, families, and groups. We can also prescribe medicine to help if you feel anxious or depressed. Ask a member of your care team for a referral or call the number above to make an appointment.

Food Pantry Program
646-888-8055
We give food to people in need during their cancer treatment. Talk with a member of your care team or call the number above to learn more.

Integrative Medicine Service
www.msk.org/integrativemedicine
Our Integrative Medicine Service offers many services to complement (go along with) traditional medical care. For example, we offer music therapy, mind/body therapies, dance and movement therapy, yoga, and touch therapy. Call 646-449-1010 to make an appointment for these services.

You can also schedule a consultation with a healthcare provider in the Integrative Medicine Service. They’ll work with you to make a plan for creating a healthy lifestyle and managing side effects. Call 646-608-8550 to make an appointment for a consultation.

MSK Library
library.mskcc.org
212-639-7439
You can visit our library website or call to talk with the library reference staff. They can help you find more information about a type of cancer. You can also visit the library’s Patient and Health Care Consumer Education Guide.

Nutrition Services
www.msk.org/nutrition
212-639-7312
Our Nutrition Service offers nutritional counseling with one of our clinical dietitian nutritionists. Your clinical dietitian nutritionist will talk with you about your eating habits. They can also give advice on what to eat during and after treatment. Ask a member of your care team for a referral or call the number above to make an appointment.

Patient and Community Education
www.msk.org/pe
Visit our patient and community education website to search for educational resources, videos, and online programs.

Patient Billing
646-227-3378
Call if you have questions about preauthorization with your insurance company. This is also called preapproval.

Patient Representative Office
212-639-7202
Call if you have questions about the Health Care Proxy form or concerns about your care.

Perioperative Nurse Liaison
212-639-5935
Call if you have questions about MSK releasing any information while you’re having surgery.

Private Duty Nurses and Companions
917-862-6373
You can request private nurses or companions to care for you in the hospital and at home. Call to learn more.

Rehabilitation Services
www.msk.org/rehabilitation
Cancers and cancer treatments can make your body feel weak, stiff, or tight. Some can cause lymphedema (swelling). Our physiatrists (rehabilitation medicine doctors), occupational therapists (OTs), and physical therapists (PTs) can help you get back to your usual activities.

• Rehabilitation medicine doctors diagnose and treat problems that affect how you move and do activities. They can design and help coordinate your rehabilitation therapy program, either at MSK or somewhere closer to home. Call Rehabilitation Medicine (Physiatry) at 646-888-1929 to learn more.
• An OT can help if you’re having trouble doing usual daily activities. For example, they can recommend tools to help make daily tasks easier. A PT can teach you exercises to help build strength and flexibility. Call Rehabilitation Therapy at 646-888-1900 to learn more.

Resources for Life After Cancer (RLAC) Program
646-888-8106
At MSK, care does not end after your treatment. The RLAC Program is for patients and their families who have finished treatment.

This program has many services. We offer seminars, workshops, support groups, and counseling on life after treatment. We can also help with insurance and employment issues.

Sexual Health Programs
Cancer and cancer treatments can affect your sexual health, fertility, or both. MSK’s sexual health programs can help you before, during, or after your treatment.

• Our Female Sexual Medicine and Women’s Health Program can help with sexual health problems such as premature menopause or fertility issues. Ask a member of your MSK care team for a referral or call 646-888-5076 to learn more.
• Our Male Sexual and Reproductive Medicine Program can help with sexual health problems such as erectile dysfunction (ED). Ask a member of your care team for a referral or call 646-888-6024 to learn more.

Social Work
www.msk.org/socialwork
212-639-7020
Social workers help patients, families, and friends deal with common issues for people who have cancer. They provide individual counseling and support groups throughout your treatment. They can help you communicate with children and other family members.

Our social workers can also help refer you to community agencies and programs. If you’re having trouble paying your bills, they also have information about financial resources. Call the number above to learn more.

Spiritual Care
212-639-5982
Our chaplains (spiritual counselors) are available to listen, help support family members, and pray. They can contact community clergy or faith groups, or simply be a comforting companion and a spiritual presence. Anyone can ask for spiritual support. You do not have to have a religious affiliation (connection to a religion).

MSK’s interfaith chapel is located near Memorial Hospital’s main lobby. It’s open 24 hours a day. If you have an emergency, call 212-639-2000. Ask for the chaplain on call.

Tobacco Treatment Program
www.msk.org/tobacco
212-610-0507
If you want to quit smoking, MSK has specialists who can help. Call to learn more.

Virtual Programs
www.msk.org/vp
We offer online education and support for patients and caregivers. These are live sessions where you can talk or just listen. You can learn about your diagnosis, what to expect during treatment, and how to prepare for your cancer care.

Sessions are private, free, and led by experts. Visit our website to learn more about Virtual Programs or to register.

External support services

Access-A-Ride
web.mta.info/nyct/paratran/guide.htm
877-337-2017
In New York City, the MTA offers a shared ride, door-to-door service for people with disabilities who can’t take the public bus or subway.

Air Charity Network
www.aircharitynetwork.org
877-621-7177
Provides travel to treatment centers.

American Cancer Society (ACS)
www.cancer.org
800-ACS-2345 (800-227-2345)
Offers a variety of information and services, including Hope Lodge, a free place for patients and caregivers to stay during cancer treatment.

Cancer and Careers
www.cancerandcareers.org
646-929-8032
A resource for education, tools, and events for employees with cancer.

CancerCare
www.cancercare.org
800-813-4673
275 Seventh Avenue (Between West 25^th & 26^th Streets)
New York, NY 10001
Provides counseling, support groups, educational workshops, publications, and financial assistance.

Cancer Support Community
www.cancersupportcommunity.org
Provides support and education to people affected by cancer.

Caregiver Action Network
www.caregiveraction.org
800-896-3650
Provides education and support for people who care for loved ones with a chronic illness or disability.

Corporate Angel Network
www.corpangelnetwork.org
866-328-1313
Offers free travel to treatment across the country using empty seats on corporate jets.

Good Days
www.mygooddays.org
877-968-7233
Offers financial assistance to pay for copayments during treatment. Patients must have medical insurance, meet the income criteria, and be prescribed medicine that’s part of the Good Days formulary.

HealthWell Foundation
www.healthwellfoundation.org
800-675-8416
Provides financial assistance to cover copayments, health care premiums, and deductibles for certain medicines and therapies.

Joe’s House
www.joeshouse.org
877-563-7468
Provides a list of places to stay near treatment centers for people with cancer and their families.

LGBT Cancer Project
www.lgbtcancer.com
Provides support and advocacy for the LGBT community, including online support groups and a database of LGBT-friendly clinical trials.

LIVESTRONG Fertility
www.livestrong.org/we-can-help/fertility-services
855-744-7777
Provides reproductive information and support to cancer patients and survivors whose medical treatments have risks associated with infertility.

Look Good Feel Better Program
www.lookgoodfeelbetter.org
800-395-LOOK (800-395-5665)
This program offers workshops to learn things you can do to help you feel better about your appearance. For more information or to sign up for a workshop, call the number above or visit the program’s website.

National Cancer Institute
www.cancer.gov
800-4-CANCER (800-422-6237)

National LGBT Cancer Network
www.cancer-network.org
Provides education, training, and advocacy for LGBT cancer survivors and those at risk.

Needy Meds
www.needymeds.org
Lists Patient Assistance Programs for brand and generic name medicines.

NYRx
www.health.ny.gov/health_care/medicaid/program/pharmacy.htm
Provides prescription benefits to eligible employees and retirees of public sector employers in New York State.

Patient Access Network (PAN) Foundation
www.panfoundation.org
866-316-7263
Gives help with copayments for patients with insurance.

Patient Advocate Foundation
www.patientadvocate.org
800-532-5274
Provides access to care, financial assistance, insurance assistance, job retention assistance, and access to the national underinsured resource directory.

Professional Prescription Advice
www.pparx.org
888-477-2669
Helps qualifying patients without prescription drug coverage get free or low-cost medicines.

Red Door Community (formerly known as Gilda’s Club)
www.reddoorcommunity.org
212-647-9700
A place where people living with cancer find social and emotional support through networking, workshops, lectures, and social activities.

RxHope
www.rxhope.com
877-267-0517
Provides assistance to help people get medicines they have trouble affording.

Triage Cancer
www.triagecancer.org
Provides legal, medical, and financial information and resources for cancer patients and their caregivers.

Educational resources

This section lists the educational resources mentioned in this guide. They will help you get ready for your surgery and recover after your surgery.

As you read these resources, write down questions to ask your healthcare provider.

• Common Questions About MSK's Recovery Tracker
• About Your Urostomy
• Advance Care Planning for People With Cancer and Their Loved Ones
• Call! Don't Fall!
• Caring for Your Ileostomy or Colostomy
• How To Check if a Medicine or Supplement Has Aspirin, Other NSAIDs, Vitamin E, or Fish Oil
• Eating Well During Your Cancer Treatment
• Herbal Remedies and Cancer Treatment
• How To Use Your Incentive Spirometer
• Patient-Controlled Analgesia (PCA)
• What You Can Do to Avoid Falling