If you or someone you love needs gastrointestinal (GI) surgery, you're in skilled hands with Penn Medicine's GI Surgery team. Our passion for patient-centered care means we provide personalized care with unwavering compassion and support — whenever and as long as you need us.
Much about your GI surgery care journey will depend on details specific to you (such as the type of surgery you're having and your needs). Here, we've laid out general steps that often apply to our GI surgery care experience. We also provide some helpful tips to explain what you can expect when you choose Penn for GI surgery.
Preparing for GI Surgery
We review everything you need to know to prepare for your GI surgery which is outlined below.
Initial Surgery Consultation
The first time we meet many patients is during a GI surgery consultation. Our GI surgeons always start a consult aiming to answer the same key questions:
- "What is the problem?"
- "How can we help you?"
Pinpointing a diagnosis is an important step to getting the treatment you need. To assess the problem, a surgeon may:
- Conduct a physical examination
- Take your medical history
- Ask you questions about your symptoms
- Review previous medical tests
- Order additional medical tests
Depending on the specifics of your case, the surgeon may discuss your diagnosis and treatment options during your initial surgery consultation or at a later date.
Understanding Your Options
Penn's multidisciplinary approach to GI surgery means different types of specialists meet in teams to discuss rare or complex cases. This system helps us personalize your treatment based on a wealth of expertise. Learn more about the full range of GI surgery types we offer.
Once we pinpoint your diagnosis, your doctor will make sure you understand it and walk through all your treatment options. We never rush and always take the time necessary to answer your questions.
We explain:
- Surgery details, including what to expect during recovery and any impacts surgery may have on your health, now or in the future
- Potential benefits of a surgery, including results you could experience and how surgery may improve your life
- Potential risks of surgery, including common and rare side effects or complications you could experience after surgery
Understanding the GI Surgery Process
Once you and your doctor agree on a treatment plan, your care team will help you prepare for surgery in multiple ways. Before surgery, someone will meet with you to explain the entire care process in detail, including:
- What recovery looks like, right after surgery and in the days and weeks ahead
- How a surgery may impact your life or body functions long-term
- Steps you can take before surgery to increase your chances of a successful result
In many cases, we give you a booklet with all of these instructions and helpful tips that you can take home and review at your convenience.
One-on-One Nutrition Consultation
Some GI surgeries may impact your diet or eating habits in the short or long term. If so, a member of our team (such as an advanced practice provider or nutrition professional) will meet with you one-on-one before surgery.
They will explain any short-term effects (such as energy loss) or long-term impacts (such as changes to your eating habits) you may experience after surgery. They can also provide ongoing support and guidance to help you manage any nutrition-related challenges after surgery.
If you've been diagnosed with a type of GI cancer, such as pancreatic or esophageal cancer, we offer additional support. GI cancer treatment is often complicated. Penn's specially trained GI oncology nurse navigators guide and support you through the treatment process. Read more about navigating gastrointestinal cancer.
GI Surgery: The Penn Medicine Advantage
When you choose Penn's GI Surgery Program for surgery, you can expect:
- World-class expertise: Our GI surgeons include national and international leaders in diverse areas of GI surgery. We have a long and successful track record of treating a wide range of complex problems with precision.
- Convenient locations: Our skilled care teams perform surgery at three downtown Philadelphia hospitals and other locations throughout the region so you can get the care you need close to home.
- Dedicated GI surgery care teams and recovery floors: You'll be cared for by experienced surgeons as well as highly trained anesthesiologists and nurses. We understand the needs of patients facing similar situations, and we prioritize your safety and comfort at all times.
- Minimally invasive options: Our surgeons stay up-to-date on the latest care innovations, and we appropriately use the least invasive surgery techniques that fit your needs. Laparoscopic (which uses tiny incisions) and robotic gastrointestinal surgery offers many patients an easier recovery with less pain.
Gastrointestinal Surgery Recovery
Gastrointestinal surgery recovery time is different for everyone. Your recovery will depend on many factors. One main factor is the type of surgery you're having. Recovery from an outpatient (same-day) hernia repair will be different from recovery after major liver resection surgery.
Your age and overall health can also impact your recovery. No matter what procedure you're having, our goal is always to help speed your healing however we can.
Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS)
At Penn, our care teams follow specific "pathways" (or steps) while you're in the hospital recovering after surgery. These protocols include Enhanced Recovery after Surgery (ERAS ®), national standards that research has shown may improve your recovery.
These steps help you heal and feel better sooner after surgery. Your care team will explain how ERAS may fit into your recovery. These steps may include encouraging you to move soon after surgery or using narcotic alternatives to manage any discomfort you feel.
Our goal is to have you recovering comfortably at home as soon as it's safe after your surgery.
For outpatient surgeries, such as routine hernia repair surgery, you can usually expect to go home within hours after your surgery. For major GI surgeries, such as esophagus, liver or pancreas resection surgery, you can expect to recover in the hospital for a few days up to one week after surgery. It may take two to three months after a major GI surgery for you to feel like yourself again.
Long-Term Follow-Up Care
After you leave the hospital, your care team will monitor your health with routine follow-up appointments. In some cases, you may be eligible to meet with your surgeon remotely (using a smartphone or computer) via virtual post-operative visits. Learn more about our telemedicine services.
You can expect your care team to continue supporting you throughout your recovery. Our easy-to-use patient portal (MyChart by myPennMedicine) makes it easy to get prompt answers to any questions or concerns you have for your care team during the healing process.
Some GI surgeries can impact how your body functions (or how you live your life), in little or big ways. Depending on your needs, additional Penn specialists may assist in managing your long-term follow-up care, including:
Request an Appointment
Call 800-789-7366 or request a callback.