rectocele and laxatives

I really hate to have to ask a question like this but I am a little over 2 weeks post TVH and rectocele repair and I still have to use stool softeners or laxatives to be able to have a bm. The pain is much better than it was at first but just how long is it ok to keep taking this stuff? thanks

I don't know which softeners or how often u r taking. Most common is colace or docasate sodium. its pretty mild twice a day x well years shouldn't hurt u unless u develop loose or diarrhea stools , like w flu or other bug then obviously u stop. really it's just a kinda"soap" to help lubricate things along.

Jess,
I took colace twice a day and metamucil once a day for 8 weeks after surgery my doctor said that was fine - you don't want to strain. Then I tapered off them. Good Luck with your recovery.

Hi Jess, I'm 11 days on from abdom subtotal hyst and rectocele repair and I'm using stool softeners twice a day. My registrar said some women use them forever, as needed, and that's better than straining and risking damage to the repair.

Miz x

Jess,

I am just 5 days post-op from TVH/ rectecele repair. My doctor has me takin g colace 2x's a day for a month. I've not really had any problems with bm's so far. I was not at all sure what it would be like after surgery. I didn't know whether I would have a colosphamy (sp) bag or what. I didn't since they worked on the wall, not the rectum itself.

Karen

Jess, I am 12 weeks post op and I still need to take Colace 1-2 times daily. Stool softeners are safe to take for long periods of time. Please make sure to take them as long as you need them. I had a rectocele repair and started losing sutures too soon after surgery and had a lot of straining with BM's now I'm facing another rectocele repair in the next few weeks. My Dr said this time around he'll be making sure that I will not have any straining at all. Talk to your Dr if you continue having problems.
Michelle

Stool softeners are safe to take long term. I got a script with refills that lasts 6 months. I don't take them every day any more, but when I feel that the bms are getting hard I will take one a day for a few days. My dad has been on colace for years due to medications that he takes and he's in his 70's so it is very safe to take.