Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) is a program that’s been used around the world for more than 20 years. It helps people feel better and heal sooner after surgery. ERAS started after studies showed that some ways of doing things before, during, and after surgery worked better than others.

Alberta Health Services is using ERAS for people who need bowel surgery.

One of the things that makes ERAS different is that you’re part of the team. You’ll take an active part in getting ready for surgery and in healing after surgery.

What to Expect With Your ERAS Surgery

If you’ve had surgery before, you may notice a few things that are different about your ERAS surgery. For example:

• you eat and drink closer to your surgery time
• you get out of bed on the day of surgery
• you eat solid foods sooner after surgery

All this helps you to feel better earlier and go home sooner.