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Posted , 11 users are following.

kathy59767
kathy59767

Two questions:  First, I am really really worried about going to the loo.  The nurses said on no account should you 'strain' - but how can you avoid it to some degree...  I feel I need to go to the loo, but am panicking I'm going to do myself an injustice!  Also, I seem to have a bruised lump around the site on my right hand where my drip went in.  Did anyone else experience this?  Is it normal?

1 like, 21 replies

21 Replies

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  • Jojo66
    Jojo66 kathy59767

    Posted

    I remember this Kathy. Hence my use of Movelat, Ive found going to the loo has been the most difficult part of this recovery. If you drink lots of fluid and take something to soften the stool eventually it is possible to go without straining. Not nice but a relief!
  • lyn04748
    lyn04748 kathy59767

    Posted

    Did you not come home with a softener for the loo problem , I had to take it for months due to having iron tablets after surgery , you can get it from any chemist

    Bruising is quiet normal around drip sites , I had lots from where they took blood.

    Hope you feel better soon .

  • phoebewhite
    phoebewhite kathy59767

    Posted

    I agree with Jojo, I am finding this part of recovery literally a pain in the b u m! pardon the pun, what I did when I first came out of hospital (the physio had suggested this) was I put a low footstool under my feet and and hugged a pillow on my tummy to cushion that part, if you haven't got a footstool use a couple of large books or something similar, it really does help, hold on to your tummy all the time, I try to drink about 1-2 litres a day, water preferably and eat lots of fibre, I love prunes so eat plenty of those, even after 11 weeks my bowels are still a bit sluggish, they never used to be before the op, Lactulose is quite good, sickly sweet but it it acts as a stool softener.

    Hope things work ok soon.

  • LostHearts
    LostHearts kathy59767

    Posted

    I am always surprised at how often women are not told what to expect after surgery, or at the very least receive suggestions on keeping stool soft etc.  Hate to say it but I learned more online than from medical personnel.  I had such painful bowel movements and gas I was literally screaming until things passed.  

    Try to stay relaxed, hydrated and take whatever you need to in order for the stool to be as normal as possible.  Good luck to you.  

    P.S. The bruised lump sounds like a little hematoma from the IV.  It will reabsorb by itself.  Just watch it.  If it gets bigger than call the doc but usually these things just clear right up.

  • kathy59767
    kathy59767

    Posted

    Thank you all for the fab advice!  In line with what you have said, my swelling is going down - and I will continue to use a softener (I did take a Movicol which I had in the house on my return).  Indeed, the deed has been done, and no damage so far.  What a relief! But the footstool/books is a great idea.   Many thanks. 
  • Clarissabelle
    Clarissabelle kathy59767

    Posted

    Hi Kathy.  I m just a bit ahead of you having same done on 24 th February.  Done on Tuesday, and of course told no pushing.  I started taking one Dulcolax at night on discharge on the Thursday.  No result so took another next morning.  First real action was Saturday.  Yes I had to push a little bit.  I was told to hold a wad of toilet paper to the vagina to support it. First bit was really difficult but then I got ok but did continue the Dulcolax.  My husband is a pharmacist and told me Dulcoease is better and bought it.  However I ve not tried it as I got re admitted with infection, and then got the diarrhoea!!  Certainly have no problem now. smile    Claire

     

  • Guest
    Guest kathy59767

    Posted

    Hi.

    I am still taking a dose of lactulose twice a day.I came out of hospital with some but you can buy it over the counter which is slightly cheaper than a prescription fee. I also keep a guest towel on the radiator right next to the loo and as its always warm it is a welcome relief to hold that on my tummy.I use a phone directory as a footstall. But the BEST bit of advice i found on a forum was this:feet up on book or stool,warm cloth on belly lean forward with other hand on your knee and then rock backwards and forwards. Don't stop as you feel the poo coming down as it is like a winch if you stop too soon it tends to go back upwards!😠😠😠I know this may be TMI for some but by day seven post op i was in agony and this was the only method that worked and seven weeks later i am still using it. But you need to keep your bowel movements soft in order not to strain so i would suggest sending someone off to the duty late night chemist - the longer you leave it the worse it will be.Sorry cant advise about the drain as although told i would have one woke up without.

    Take it easy,and we all know the first one is scary but relax,don't strain and you will be fine😊

    Sharon x

    • kathy59767
      kathy59767 Guest

      Posted

      Very welcome advice Sharon.  This forum is a godsend, thanks.  No such thing as TMI on here I hope! :-) xx
    • jacqueline67292
      jacqueline67292 Guest

      Posted

      Hi Sharon

      Many thanks for the detailed account of how to have a comfortable bowel movement after surgery.  I have written it in my journal for when I have my op.  As my bowel and bladder are going to be stitched back in place I am sure I will be in a bit of trouble so any help I can get I am most grateful for.  

      Warmest Wishes 

      Jacqui lol

    • Guest
      Guest jacqueline67292

      Posted

      Hi Jacqui

      Also remembered if you actually say the word "mooo"very slowly whilst rocking this expands your tummy and makes it easier to expel the waste matter (learnt this from Michelle Conways website)

      The first time I managed to poo using all this it took about ten minutes to get it started as i refused to strain and was also really worried about internal stitches.My husband said it sounded like i was giving birth to a calf judging from the noises coming from the toilet LOL😊Afterwards i felt physically exhausted,climbed onto the sofa and promptly fell asleep enjoying the euphoria after nearly a week in agony.Wish i found this out before my op but glad to help any of you ladies-in-waiting.

      Sharon xx

    • phoebewhite
      phoebewhite Guest

      Posted

      LOL, sorry, your post made me laugh out loud, if I did that my husband would phone the men in white coats 😊, but if it works for you..... I have eaten prunes/grapes/figs/sweetcorn/peas & broad beans today and if that doesn't work I will do the mooing thing, thank you for making me smile 😊
    • Guest
      Guest phoebewhite

      Posted

      Glad to make you smile😊When i told my friends that i had finally gone and how they told me to listen out for a knock at the door from the men in white coats so great minds think alike😊

      Sharon x

    • Guest
      Guest kathy59767

      Posted

      So did i when it was mission accomplished!

      xxx

    • kathy59767
      kathy59767 Guest

      Posted

      Will keep taking the moo-volac in the meantime then... biggrin xxx
    • jacqueline67292
      jacqueline67292 Guest

      Posted

      Hi Sharon,

      Oh you did give me the giggles, I love it, but I must remember to warn my hubby I will be doing this, because we live in a retirement complex with Pull Cord alarms in every room, and if he hears me 'mooing' he is bound to pull the cord!  Can you imagine the paramedics arriving to find me on the toilet seat,redface rocking backwards and forwards and moo-ing!  Good job they don't lock you away anymore I would be whisked away!  Had to break off, had the belly giggles again.  

      Do you mean Michelle Kenway?  The Physio Therapist for all our sorts of problems.  She is fantastic.  I use her videos off of YouTube to do my Kegel exercises, she seems to push me that little bit further.  

      Many, many thanks for your help, I know I am going to be so grateful when it is my turn for 'the toilet drama'.  It is amazing the help you can get on this forum and as you say it would have been very helpful to have this information before your op.  

      I am now going to explain to hubby, his favourite humour is 'toilet humour' so he is going to love this!

      Love

      Jacqui lol

       

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