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Bowel movement post surgery.

Posted , 9 users are following.

trina1980
trina1980

Hi,

Had my surgery yesterday and all seems to have gone well. Home today :-)

Just wondered how soon after surgery did people manage a bowel movement?

I feel very swollen and can't even sit comfortably on the loo never mind try a BM although I have terrible tummy ache!!

I have taken movicol and lactulose with no joy yet so just wondered if other ladies have had to wait a few days before they have managed to go!!

Thank you for sharing your experiences, it's very reassuring!

Trina xx

0 likes, 36 replies

36 Replies

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  • Hijadeonagro
    Hijadeonagro trina1980

    Posted

    Hi Tina! I had only anterior repair, as I had had my bowels empty before surgery I didn t go to the bathroom until 3rd day post op with the help of stool softener and lots of water and everything was fine, no pain at all. Try not to strain please, just let it go while you are sitting, the stool softener you are taking is going to help for sure. Hugs honey!
  • sue52969
    sue52969 trina1980

    Posted

    Hi Trina

    Glad to hear from you, I've thinking about you and wondering how it went.

    All of what people have said is true, about being nil.by mouth & the anaesthetic etc so things will take time. It was 3 days b4 I had a bm, and that was with the hep of lactulose & fybogel. I take it regularly so that I go with basically no effort, it's so loose it just comes out, which is fine by me! Once the stitches have dissolved I'll feel more confident about coming off it. I also have IBS so I always have about 4 to 5 pieces of fruit a day and also make sure you drink plenty. Try not to force it, gravity will eventually help.

    Also, If it is wind pain, which is very uncomfortable, you can take peppermint.

    I'm 2 weeks post op today. The pain is a lot less but I have noticed it gets worse the more I'm on my feet, so as I said before..get horizontal! Box sets are the way forward!

    Kind regards

    Sue x

    • trina1980
      trina1980 sue52969

      Posted

      Thanks sue. I'm looking forward to it being less painful!! Trying to stay off my feet but my little girl wants to show me things and bless her just can't understand why mummy isn't her normal fun self!!! I can certainly tell when I have overdone it!

      I will stick to my laxido and lactulose twice a day and let time and gravity do its job!! Do you still take both twice a day? X

    • sue52969
      sue52969 trina1980

      Posted

      Yes. For some reason, the last 2 days have changed and I've had trouble going! I was very upset yesterday and couldn't even sit as it felt so "full ' down there. Very annoying as things had been going well. My lovely husband came home with dried apricots, prunes, pineapple and mango! Another uncomfortable day today

      ..but success!

      Tbh, I think some of it was psychological as I was so frightened of 'pushing '. Anyway, I took my own advice and let gravity also help.

      Keep up the fluids and rest rest rest! How old is your little girl? Take as much help as you can with her. I know it can be hard to accept or ask for help (we are women, after all !) But you need to take care of yourself. I know I never want to have to have this op again so I'm being so careful.

      Take care hun

      Sue

    • trina1980
      trina1980 sue52969

      Posted

      She is 6 Sue, we are staying with my dad and stepmum who are wonderful helping with everythjng but its second nature just to help without thinking!!!

      A lot is definitely psychological and pain related but I will get there in the end.

      My daughter has made up a song to the tune of 'going to the zoo' but changed the words to 'mummy can't poo' which is entertaining everyone!! ??????

  • sue52969
    sue52969 trina1980

    Posted

    Haha, that's so funny, although laughing hurts! ??

    Glad to hear you have lots of help.

    I went out today. My husband drove and we just went to a few shops. I was very tired when I got home, and promptly fell asleep. The pain was worse again too.

    Quite hard to see when I'll be fully well, so as someone who is a few weeks ahead of you, take things very slowly.

    Take Care

    Sue x

    • trina1980
      trina1980 sue52969

      Posted

      Hi Sue, how are you getting on? 

      I'm day 5 post op now and think I have the toilet thing Sussed thanks to a twice daily cocktail of laxido and lactulose ????

      my pain has got worse rather than better though, did yours do that?

      I am going to take it much easier for the next few days now my little girl is at her dads house!

      i watched the surgery on YouTube as well, it is brutal, it's no wonder I'm in so much pain really!!! I can see from that why we have to go so carefully, the surgeons are so good that from the outside it looks like nothing too much has been done which lulls you into a false sense of security I think!

      hope you're doing ok. 

      Trina x

    • sue52969
      sue52969 trina1980

      Posted

      Hi Trina

      Good to hear from you. Yay! So pleased the toilet thing is fine! Luckily I'm back on track after changing to a different laxative.

      I'm ok thanks and yes the pain got less and then got worse again at about 9 days. I think the stitches seemed to loosening and that seems to cause pain and a little itching.

      Better now though. I have one area which is really sore to touch but my husband keeps telling me to be patient!

      I went for a little walk yesterday! About 15 mins to pub for lunch. I walk very slowly! But was ok. Quite hard to sit up for lunch but I managed. Rested when I came home and promptly fell asleep so it obviously took it out of me.

      I have a sick note for 6 weeks off but my job is so physical and demanding, I may ask my gp for a note for a few weeks more, I'll decide in 4 weeks .

      Keep on resting hun ...I've got into House of Cards on Netflix.

      Hahaha

      Best Wishes

      Sue xx

    • trizwizz
      trizwizz sue52969

      Posted

      Be careful about going back to work after 6 weeks. I healed well but was certainly not ready fro work.(I have quite a physical job too that involves lifting, carrying and being able to get up and down off the floor, also driving can take it out of you).

      I had 12 weeks off then had a week's leave already booked so was off for 13 weeks. I could have gone back after 10 weeks I think but the GP had signed me off so I didn't.

      I was signed off by the surgeon for 6 weeks, a GP (not my own) gave another two weeks. Then I saw my own GP who immediately said "I don't think you're a Moaning Minnie, if you say you're not fit I don't think you are. We'll start with another four weeks then review." He is not a fan of going back too early. Fortunately I do get full sick pay which makes a difference.

    • sue52969
      sue52969 trizwizz

      Posted

      Thanks for that..I will definitely see how I feel and won't rush back. I do 12 hour shifts which are tough so if I don't feel up to it, I'll see my gp.

      Thanks

      Sue x

    • trizwizz
      trizwizz sue52969

      Posted

      Do you work for an organization where you can do a phased return? I've done 13 hr shifts in the past and it's a long old haul. Perhaps a short shift might be best - if you can?

    • sue52969
      sue52969 trizwizz

      Posted

      Yes I was thinking that. I work for the NHS, so I could arrange to see Occ Health and do phased return or maybe do non clinical.

      I'll see how I am in a few weeks.

      Thanks x

    • trina1980
      trina1980 sue52969

      Posted

      I'm due to go back to NHS at 6 weeks as a physio so fingers crossed I'm ready!!!

      I have a million patients booked in for the week I go back so god knows what I will do if I'm not ready!! If you can get longer you should take it definitely or do a phased return for sure xx

    • sue52969
      sue52969 trina1980

      Posted

      Hi Trina

      I would hazard a guess that you probably won't be able to go back st 6 weeks either, if you're a physio. Like my job, yours is very physical and busy. I think we have to be really careful and think of our own health. My husband feels if I go back at 6 weeks that it will effect my long term health. I think I'm going to book an appt with my gp and occ health at about 5 weeks to see what they think.

      Xx

  • sue52969
    sue52969 trina1980

    Posted

    Hi Trina

    How are you doing? I hope things are improving and that the bm are still happening!

    It's my turn to ask you for advice. As you said you're a physio, I was wondering what you know about exercise post surgery. I've been told nothing, except rest and do pelvic floors. Pre op, I ran 4 miles twice a week, but have heard since that we should never run again! I dont know what to do if I can't run. I used to swim but i have a few neck issues so can't do that.

    Any advice?

    Thanks

    Sue x

    • trina1980
      trina1980 sue52969

      Posted

      Hi Sue, women's health isn't my specialist area however what I do know for sure is you can't go back to stuff like running until at least 12weeks (3 months). I believe you can go back to gentle yoga etc before that as long as you avoid anything that stresses the pelvic floor too much eg jumping, sit ups, planking etc. There are some DVDs around you can do which are 'pelvic floor safe' I think they are mentioned in some other posts. I would have a chat with your surgeon and ask him specifically about what you want to do. The fact you ran before should mean you can go back to it really. I plan to go back to Bootcamp at 3 months but I probably will do planks, press ups etc all on my knees now forever to

      Avoid stressing my repair. Hope that helps a bit! Xx

    • sue52969
      sue52969 trina1980

      Posted

      Thanks! That's brilliant. I'll get on to Amazon for those dvds! I might be able to get out and shop but I can sure do online shopping!

      Xx

    • trina1980
      trina1980 sue52969

      Posted

      I think one of them was Michelle Kenway; inside out. Hope you find it!

      I had to take the dog out for a wee; did 10 minutes up and down the road and was absolutely shattered!!!! Still feel quite proud that I managed it since none of the boys were around! Luckily Prince doesn't pull on the lead so I can focus on walking as normally as possible rather than him!! X

    • sue52969
      sue52969 trina1980

      Posted

      Haha. Well done you! And it's amazing how tiring even a short walk is, isn't it?

      Thanks , I'll have a look online

      Xx

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