How long does it take to recover from rectal prolapse surgery?

Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
Updated on July 03, 2025
00:00
00:00

Rectal prolapse, if treated surgically, then postoperative recovery requires about 20 days to a month. Rectal prolapse involves the protrusion of part of the mucosa within the anal canal. Symptoms before surgery are generally severe, and if traditional surgical methods are used, the surgical wound is larger, resulting in a longer recovery time. It is recommended that patients rest in bed post-surgery for at least one week to ten days, avoiding getting out of bed too early or engaging in mental activities prematurely, which could cause the mucosa not to adhere properly and lead to a secondary prolapse. Patients who undergo surgery for rectal prolapse also need to have regular follow-ups, avoid strenuous abdominal activities, and be mindful of potential complications such as dry stool or difficulty defecating, avoiding prolonged squatting during these situations.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
56sec home-news-image

How to check for rectal prolapse?

Rectal prolapse is generally divided into internal rectal mucosal prolapse and external prolapse, also known as rectal procidentia. If it is an internal prolapse, an anoscopy combined with defecography is required to examine the degree of laxity of the local rectal mucosa. If it is an external prolapse or rectal procidentia, the patient generally presents with a prolapsed swelling when squatting, and this can be further evaluated with a digital rectal examination to assess the local tightness of the anus. If rectal prolapse occurs, surgical treatment is recommended as it tends to be quite effective. In cases of pediatric prolapse or mild prolapse, traditional Chinese medicine enemas may be used to alleviate local symptoms.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
57sec home-news-image

Can you get pregnant with rectal prolapse?

Patients with rectal prolapse can become pregnant, but if diagnosed with rectal prolapse before pregnancy, it is advisable to first surgically remove the prolapsed mucosa. This is because during pregnancy, as the fetus grows, the pressure in the abdominal cavity gradually increases. Female patients may experience worsening of the rectal prolapse due to increased abdominal pressure, which could lead to increased congestion and edema, thereby exacerbating the severity of existing hemorrhoids or the severity of the rectal prolapse. Therefore, if there are symptoms of rectal prolapse before pregnancy, surgical treatment is recommended. If rectal prolapse occurs during pregnancy, conservative treatment with traditional Chinese medicine enemas can be chosen, and surgery can be considered after childbirth.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
1min 3sec home-news-image

Rectal prolapse treatment

Rectal prolapse is primarily categorized into mild rectal prolapse as well as moderate and severe rectal prolapse. Mild rectal prolapse generally occurs in the early stages of the illness or in children and can be treated conservatively. Conservative treatment mainly involves Chinese herbal retention enemas. On the other hand, moderate and severe rectal prolapse can result in the protrusion of the local mucosa outside the anus, presenting as cylindrical or cone-shaped prolapses. Treating moderate to severe hemorrhoidal prolapse requires surgical intervention. The main surgical methods include hemorrhoidal mucosectomy with stapling and local submucosal sclerosant injections. It is also important to caution postoperative patients against squatting for long periods or straining during constipation, as these actions can exacerbate symptoms of submucosal prolapse.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
1min 4sec home-news-image

What causes rectal prolapse?

There are many causes of rectal prolapse. If there are no external factors involved, the most common cause is generally due to poor physical constitution and insufficient central qi, leading to a relaxed and sagging state of the intestinal mucosa. In some children, due to insufficient congenital development and weak kidney qi, there may be temporary prolapse. As the child's pelvic structure and tissues develop, symptoms of prolapse will ease. Another group of cases occur in women who have given birth multiple times. Due to excessive strain in the anal area and pelvis during natural childbirth, or increased negative pressure during pregnancy compressing the local mucosa and tissues of the anus, rectal prolapse may occur after childbirth. Mild symptoms of rectal prolapse can be alleviated with conservative medication, while severe symptoms or those affecting the patient's life may require surgical treatment.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Deng Heng
Colorectal Surgery
1min 1sec home-news-image

Postoperative Care for Rectal Prolapse Surgery

Post-Rectal Prolapse Surgery Precautions: 1. Rest in bed, which helps improve the recovery rate. Due to gravity, many patients with rectal prolapse experience prolapse when standing or walking. Although the surgery fixes the prolapsed mucosa, the firmness of the fixation takes time to establish. Therefore, it is recommended to rest in bed with limited activity for one week after the surgery to solidify the therapeutic effects. 2. Take oral antibiotics for 7 to 10 days after surgery. 3. Abstain from food for the first two days after surgery, and consume semi-liquid or liquid foods in reduced quantities on the third day. 4. Refrain from defecating for 4 to 5 days after surgery. 5. Do not strain during the first bowel movement after surgery. (Please use medications under the guidance of a professional physician)