WILL I NEED MEDICINE AFTER SURGERY FOR ULCERATIVE COLITIS?

Maybe or maybe not—it depends on your entire colon was removed. 

If the entire large intestine was removed, and a pouch was created, you may not need any medicine by mouth, other than perhaps a probiotic—and you may not even need that, if you are able to eat a high fiber diet, where the fiber acts as a prebiotic, keeping healthy bacteria in your intestine. 

If only part of the large intestine was removed, you may be started on a medicine to lessen your risk of cancer later in life. 

If you have problems with the pouch (pouchitis), however, you may need antibiotics or other medicines to keep the inflammation or infection under control. 

Diet will likely play an important role in controlling your bowel movements and any symptoms after your surgery, no matter what kind of surgery you have and whether or not you needed an ostomy.