NewYork-Presbyterian Westchester’s colorectal surgery team provides an array of services to treat colorectal diseases — from benign disorders such as diverticulitis, inflammatory bowel disease, and polyps to colorectal cancers of all stages. Our surgeons include experts from Columbia University Medical Center’s division of colorectal surgery. We customize a plan of care specific to your disease, one that takes your needs and preferences into account. Our personalized treatment plan focuses on all of you — body, mind and spirit — with the goal of curing your disease or helping you live a better quality of life.
What We Treat
Our colorectal surgeons treat a range of disorders of the colon, rectum, and anus. They care for people with:
- Anal cancer
- Anal fissures
- Anal fistulas
- Colorectal cancer
- Colorectal polyps
- Crohn’s disease
- Severe or recurrent diverticular disease (diverticulosis and diverticulitis)
- Fecal incontinence
- Hemorrhoids
- Rectal prolapse
- Ulcerative colitis
- Pelvic floor disorders
- Intestinal fistulas
Minimally Invasive Colorectal Surgery
Our colorectal surgeons take a minimally invasive approach whenever appropriate, using robotic surgery or laparoscopy to operate through smaller incisions that result in less postoperative pain and a quicker recovery than conventional open abdominal surgery. Our surgeons try to avoid the need for an ostomy bag (a bag worn outside the abdomen to collect waste) whenever possible, specializing in reconstructive techniques for people who need to have the colon and rectum removed. Should you need a more extensive or complex operation or if you have multiple health problems, we can perform your surgery at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center.
Speeding Your Recovery
After colorectal surgery, it may take a few days for your bowel habits to resume. Your team works to promote your recovery — advancing your diet to restore bowel activity, helping you get out of bed and get moving, and avoiding narcotic painkillers (which can be constipating), whenever possible to shorten your hospital stay. Our goal is to get you home as soon as is possible so you can return to the activities you enjoy.
Ostomy Care
While our surgeons strive whenever possible to save bowel function, sometimes a permanent ostomy (a bag worn outside your abdomen to collect waste) is necessary. If after your colorectal surgery you need a permanent colostomy or ileostomy, our ostomy nurses have the compassion and experience to support you as you adapt to life with an ostomy.