enema what to expect

my surgery is scheduled for mon.dec 8th at 2.00pm i have to do a emema and they said i could do it the night before or monday morning i have to be at the hospital at 12.45 that day never used a emema before how long to take effect do you recommend the night before or the morning do you have loose stools or is it just water that comes out .need help to decide what to do

I don't understand - didn't your dr have you do a bowel prep first? Like a laxative to clear your intestines?

When I had my d & c and diagnostic laproscopy I had to use a fleet's disposable enema. It's like a douche, but not such a long insert. You lay on your side, basically fill your bowels up with water (like waterskiing while your bum is dragging on top of the water because you can't get up on your skis), hold the water in your butt until the pressure is too much, and run to the toilet. It flushes any "residue" out of your bowels. If you are full of poop, expect water and a mess. Have some flushable wipes handy. Follow the instructions you are given. USE DESITIN or some other skin protectant on your bum - your anus might get sore.

The whole day before surgery I had a horrible extensive bowel prep. My castle story is posted here, and I talk about it. Good luck with your surgery!

Hi Jutz,
I had to do an enema (first one in my life!!) in the hospital, the night before surgery - and then no more food til after the operation.

It wasn't too hard to manage, I was able to sit on the toilet and do it.... (I think there are different kinds of "applicators") I waited in the bathroom for it to "hit".... I stayed there for about 10 minutes I think, and then I had to do another one right after.
It wasn't too difficult or unpleasant (at least I got to do it myself!).
If you eat a light diet for a day before you do it, that might help...

the suggestion to have some wipes nearby is a good one.


good luck!

thank you for you answers on the enema i have to have one to clean out my lower bowel could anyone answer me if it would be better to do it the night before or in the morning with a 2.00 pm
surgery the doctor said i could chose.

I think in the a.m. with a 2:00 p.m. surgery. You might have a bowel movement that morning, so cleaning things up real good after that would be a good thing.

thank you so much thats what i kinda of decided my self buts its nice to have a 2nd opinion,

first of all follow your doctors instructions. my surgery was scheduled for 8 am and i had to do 2 fleets enemas the night before my surgery. i ate very lightly last sunday so i wouldn't get sick the day of the surgery (i have in the past). i did both of mine before i finally went to bed. i had to be at the castle at 6 am. it's clean out whatever you have in the lower part of the intestines. i got to the castle that morning and all my cleaning out hadn't been done with the 2 enemas and it came out before my surgery.

my gyn never told me to douche before coming to the castle so the nurse had to give me 2 douches once i got to the castle before my surgery. she was just so relieved that i had already done the enemas before coming (and so was i!!!!!).

debbie

My doc hasn't said anything "yet", but I'll find out this Wednesday when I go for my preop appt. When I had a barium enema they had me drink Citrate of Mag (sp?) . That was the nastist stuff, I had an adversion to lemon lime flavored soda for years. I'm scared of having to drink that stuff again. Enema's don't bother me as bad.

Enemas are not fun, but please follow your doctors instructions, there's a reason why he had you do them I'll be thinking about you, I hope all turns out well with you.

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Heather

I had to give myself an enema the morning of my surgery. I didnt get in the OR till 3pm and was scheduled for 11am.

What I learned from my experience is to do your best to have a BM before you do your enema... that way you know you are clean and prepped for surgery.

Good Luck